I didn't see Cypher as being portrayed as part of the problem because he wanted to live in The Matrix. I saw him saw him as being part of the problem because he murdered his crewmates and was willing to sell out the entirety of Zion's population to get what he wanted.The concept of freedom in a Matrix-like reality is something I could discuss for days; it's an itch that I wouldn't be able to scratch enough. But I have to try to keep this specifically about Matrix 4. Must. Show. Restraint.
The points you raise about people willingly choosing to remain in the Matrix (much like Cypher in the first movie) are the perfect examples to illustrate what I mean about the hypocrisy between the movie's plot and its preachy message. Those who would choose like Cypher are portrayed as a clear part of the problem. However, the solution ends up being to allow them their artificial lives, but with a "liberated" designer of their reality. Think about that.
To me Revolutions ended with the notion that people would get to choose whether they stayed in or left the Matrix with the Architect letting go of the ones who wanted to leave with no moral condemnation against those who chose to stay.
I saw the commentary as being more parallel to "so this is how democracy dies, with thunderous applause." I think there are different connotations to submitting to the world of the machines when the machines are oppressive villains than when they are neutral (Architect at the end of Revolutions) or benevolent (Neo and Trinity.)
In the same way that a monarchy or dictatorship isn't inherently wrong or evil neither do I see living in the environment of the Matrix (or at the mercy of technology), especially since there are sentient beings that reside there *and* it can be used as a means to make the real world a better place. Case in point, reverse engineering Matrix code into DNA for the purpose of growing fruit in the real world. So those who live in the Matrix can enjoy aspects of life not currently available in the real world while conducting research that benefits those who are unplugged.
Well yes and I believe that that's the point. Revolutions gave both sides peace and humans a choice and Neo and Trinity wanted to provide more of that. I don't see them being the overseers of that turning point as being any more wrong or hypocritical than the founding fathers of the U.S. deciding to create a divided government with checks and balances that allows everyone to live free of oppression while not technically free in *every* sense (like being able to commit crimes with no consequences and so forth.)
See I think that you're not giving the movie a fair shake in a way similar to those who wrote off TLJ as RJ and KK wanting to "let the past die" even though RJ specially said come on people it was the *villain* of the film who wanted that, not the heroes! So to apply that the Resurrections we need to consider who it was that was "demeaning the audience" and it was once again the villains! You know all the oppressive programs meant to keep Neo in check. Sati was the one voice of dissent at Binary and she didn't mock or demean the audience at all.
Right back at you bud!But make no mistake, I respect your view and understand what you're getting at. And I'm glad you enjoy this movie. On some levels, I do to. But I *really* hate the redundancy of it, and therefore the pointlessness of it. And yes, the hypocrisy that I perceive (and maybe that's just on me) bothers me a great deal. No matter what, always fun having these back-and-forths with you, my friend. Always appreciate reading your well-thought-out takes.
And I can definitely understand feeling that the movie is redundant and pointless, especially given the arguable finality of Revolutions. But redundant or not I just enjoyed the movie so much on my second viewing which obviously is all that matters at the end of the day. And personally Revolutions' ending left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth with the weird open thread of Sati's supposed unfulfilled importance (which this film *did* fulfill) and the fact that it felt like a setup to a MMORPG (which IIRC it actually was.) So this movie even incorporating the story's evolution into a video game and then rising above that notion was something that I really appreciated.
You're definitely not alone in writing off this movie though. I don't think *anyone* on YouTube likes it.
