Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Through the looking glass: The Matrix franchise and interpretation

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thesis
posted on 2021-11-14, 02:31 authored by Kale, Russ

This thesis analyses the reception of the Matrix trilogy by paying close attention to the work of film reviewers, and academic commentators who interpret the films from a religious perspective. The methodology of the project involves using a historical reception studies approach based on the work of Janet Staiger. The film reviews display an interest in the trilogy’s action sequences and its numerous cultural references. As the trilogy proceeds, the reviewers become increasingly concerned about the emphasis on spectacle. I argue that these interests can be understood in terms of debates in Film Studies around the 'cinema of attractions' and the tensions between narrative and spectacle in contemporary Hollywood cinema. The Christian, Buddhist and Gnostic religious academic commentaries all utilise an allegorical approach to the trilogy. As a result, they interpret the films through the prism of good versus evil. They also stress the importance of the acquisition of knowledge. In my opinion, the film reviews and religious interpretations share an interest in unity or singularity. This parallels the narrative of the trilogy, specifically the quest for 'the One'.

History

Copyright Date

2014-01-01

Date of Award

2014-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Film

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Arts

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

970119 Expanding Knowledge through Studies of the Creative Arts and Writing

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies

Advisors

Groves, Tim