There are many reasons the matrix is a post-modern text. Perhaps all centred around the concept of challenging reality and questioning what is real. This theme has been referenced to the controversial theories of Beaudrillard. He tends to question peoples acceptance of the ‘truth’ and asks as to whether something is true and real to someone who does not directly witness it. This supports his theory that the same event is different to every individual and that our acceptance of reality is completely true only to ourselves.
Co-incidentally an inter textual reference is also made in the first film as the lead character Thomas Anderson a.k.a Neo is shown reading a book by Beaudrillard. This comparison shows one way that the matrix conforms with an idea of post-modernism by supporting and even referencing a renowned theorist.
The film itself focussed around typical science fiction elements, concentrates on a dystopian future where humans are in war with machines, similar to the long running Terminator film series, which has been a major success and iconic in sci-fi film history. A major selling point of the series is the extreme stunts and action scenes. Although fairly insignificant on the surface, the thought behind it was to include seemingly impossible events and theories.
This is a challenge on the perception of reality with the concept of two worlds. The real world, a desolate wasteland operated by machines. Or a virtual world called the matrix which its inhabitants perceive as real, but is in fact a fictional representation based on memories of the human race.
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