The Matrix: A Decade of Awakening Minds

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Matrix. It’s hard to believe that it’s really a decade old. Some of us weren’t even old enough to drive or stay home alone hehe. Some of us were just out of high school or College and some of us were just old enough to drink legally.

In 1999 I was an 18 year old living in Orlando Fl, and the night I saw the Matrix, I knew movies would never be the same. When Trinity for the first time suspends herself in midair defying gravity, I think I gasped out loud, along with the rest of the theater. I had never experienced that kind of wonderment, except maybe the first time I saw Star Wars.

This movie was the little movie that could, word of mouth spread like wildfire, not expecting to do anything but flop it ended up being the most talked about movie in decades winning academy awards and the respect of moviemakers. They proceeded to copy the Matrix’s trademark slow 360 camera spin in just about every movie that followed. It was so remarkable it upstaged the return of Star Wars. In a way it changed how movies were made forever.

It opened doors to our minds, made us think and ponder our very existence. It was much more then just a movie. It was the key to our own inner thoughts and questions. Philosophy was never cooler. We tried to decode every nook and granny of that movie, trying to find life’s answers. Till this day debates rage about Reality VS the Dream world. Was it really possible the movie could be not so sci fi after all?.

The Matrix Universe expanded in 2003 giving us two more films to devour. More hidden messages, and religious overtones. More hallways to pursue, characters that helped put the pieces of the puzzle together. Though not all understood or liked the last film, it still held valuable insight to our thought process and the lengths we will go through for love. Cuz after all it didn’t ONLY come down to choice did it?

That brings us to 2004. The world was finally ours to explore first hand. The Matrix Online was the game of all games. We immersed ourselves into the landscape free to choose any organization we wanted. We could try to walk in Neo, Morpheus, or even an Agent’s footsteps to understand what we stood for, fought for or to protect.. My time spend inside the MXO is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. So many friends and community I will miss. It’s a big part of my life and I’m grateful to have had the chance to be apart of it. In such a short time we’ve all experienced so much together, learning about WHAT IS THE MATRIX? I guess it’s really what is the Matrix to YOU?

As we know all good things come to an end and it’s only appropriate it comes at the Ten year mark of the Matrix. The birth and death if you will.  It began in 1999 and will unplug for the last time now 2009. A decade of awakened minds that will never forget the ride we’ve all taken together. Here’s to all of you!

/Salute

Midnight

I dedicate these two videos to all of you to remember the good times, the nostalgia and to the Rabbit Hole we will never get tired of being sucked down in.

THE MATRIX TRILOGY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNG2AxHifhc

THE MXO ONLINE THE EARLY DAYS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqk7HtdKH90

I never saw The Matrix in theaters, as I was only 13 in 1999.  I remember watching it shortly after it's theatrical run at a friend's house and, of course, being completely entranced.  This was the smart, philosophical action movie I'd been looking for.  This was the reason I spent every free moment reading any new book I could find.  This was the movie that made me think for the first time about our inability to truly know anything for certain, even the basic facts about our own existence.

I saw Reloaded in the theater and absolutely loved it.  The introduction of Exiles made the central conflict of the story much more complicated, and introduced shades of grey where before there had been only monochrome.  I loved the new characters of The Merovingian, Seraph, and The Architect.  I was entranced by every monologue, even more so than by the action scenes.  Before the movie was over I was already thinking about the fundamental differences in worldview between The Oracle and The Merovingian.  And The Architect's speech blew me away with his revelation of the cyclical nature of Zion and The One.  I'm not one to talk at the movies, but I cheered inside when Neo made his choice and broke the cycle of control.

Revelations was all I could have asked for in a finale.  I knew going into it that the only ending I would consider "happy" would be if Neo brokered a truce between the humans and the machines.  The events of Reloaded had convinced me that the machines and programs were sentient beings, no less worthy or deserving of survival than humans.  Neo delivered exactly what I had hoped, sacrificing himself to create The Truce, putting his faith in the capacity of the machines, exlies, and humans to live in peace.

When MxO was first announced, I knew immediately that I would do anything to get in.  The game launched just as I graduated high school, and I felt ready to step into a role and confidently play a part.  The players in that game were going to determine, or at least participate in, the future of The Matrix.  I had to do everything I could to protect Neo's Truce and work for peace in this virtual world.  It sounds silly to say it, but I was never just role-playing.  I was actually doing my best to bring The Matrix to the conclusion I wanted it to have.  And, actual impact or not, I feel like I helped.  As part of the Winter Brood, I was there when we decided to not interfere in the killing of Invalesco.  I helped bring down The Assassin, the biggest threat to The Matrix since Smith.  And since I'm considering Rarebit's notes canon, I helped drive out the influence of the Oligarchs and reshape The Matrix into something better.

And now it's ending.  I confess that I feel a little hole in the pit of my stomach whenever I think about all this data, this whole virtual world shutting down forever.  I hate that in a few months, I'll never step into TPaine's white formal shoes again.  I'm graduating college in a week, and I honestly don't know which place I'll miss more, UCLA or MegaCity.  High praise from a True Blue Bruin.  I've formed some good friendships, and they will continue on, but The Matrix will not.

This is the end of this franchise, this world, this story.  And I am honored and proud to have been a part of it.