What is a matrix? It sounds like it is a very confusing and complex maze of some kind. A matrix also sound like some exotic location that a time traveler would venture off to in the not to distance future; however a matrix isn’t some weird type of maze. In fact ‘matrix’ is used in a number of different disciplines and fields within human society and human culture. Did you know that in the time of the Roman Empire a matrix referred to an aqueduct with multiple branches which served many Roman cities, and therefore, figuratively speaking, a matrix was thought of like a mother feeding her many children? After the time of the Roman Empire, the meaning of the word ‘matrix’ expanded to include complex systems in many fields and contexts. In the science of biology, matrix refers to the material between animal or plant cells or the material in the inner membrane of a mitochondrion. In the science of geology, matrix refers to the fine grains between the larger grains in igneous or sedimentary rocks. In addition, in the field of music the Matrix was both a 1960s music club were Jefferson Airplane, Velvet Underground, and Bruce Springsteen performed and a jazz fusion ensemble founded in the 1970s. However, at the present time, the word ‘matrix’ refers to either a mathematical table or The Matrix series of films. The science fiction and fantasy blockbuster movie called The Matrix is what will be discussed now.

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction fantasy and action film that was written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski. This movie starred Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie Anne Moss. The Matrix describes a future in which the world we know is actually the Matrix, a simulated reality created by sentient machines in order to pacify and subdue the human population while their bodies’ heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source. In the film, computer programmer, Thomas A. Anderson leads a secret life as a hacker under the alias Neo until he is told about the Matrix by Morpheus, who believes that Neo is a messiah who will free humanity. Did you know that The Matrix contains many references to the cyber punk and hacker subcultures; it also refers to many philosophical and religious ideas. The Matrix also pays homage to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Hong Kong action movies, Spaghetti Westerners, and Japanese animation.

The Matrix begins with cryptic messages appearing on Neo’s computer monitor that leads him to Trinity, a famous hacker and Neo admits that he wishes to know what the matrix is then; he meets with Morpheus, a strange man who offers Neo a chance to learn the truth about the Matrix. Neo accepts this challenge by swallowing a mysterious red pill; he suddenly wakes up naked in a liquid filled chamber and his body is connected by wires to a huge mechanical tower covered with identical pods. Then, Neo is trained to become a member of the group by being connected with knowledge via a socket in the back of his head; through this socket he learns many martial arts disciplines and many other things. Then, the group enters the Matrix and takes Neo to the apartment of the Oracle, the woman who has predicted the eventual coming of the One. She Informs Neo that he has “the gift”, but that he is waiting for something perhaps in the next life. Therefore, Neo believes that she is telling him that he isn’t the One. At the end of the movie, the movie audience sees Neo back in the Matrix making a telephone calls promising that he will show to the people trapped in the Matrix that “anything is possible.” Neo hangs up the phone and flies into the sky above the city.

The Matrix is a great popcorn movie with great special effects. In fact, it won Oscars for sound effects, sound effects editing, and visual film editing. Please watch The Matrix with plenty of hot buttered popcorn and with someone you love.