Take the red pill: Matrix 4 is coming
When the first Matrix film hit cinemas in 1999, we gazed in disbelief at the bullet-time camera technology. In addition to new technology, the philosophically-complex plot astounded many viewers. And now, twenty years later, a fourth movie will follow.
What is real? How do you define «real»? If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then «real» is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.
You think that’s air you’re breathing now?
Although the Matrix is famed for its numerous plot holes and mistakes, back in 1999, it held us all in its grasp. Well, not everyone – but anyone who enjoys philosophy and has realised that faith doesn't always go hand in hand with fact. Is religion really the one true definition of reality? Or is it just an instrument, a tool to subjugate and control us?
However, the Matrix doesn't challenge religion, but a real manifestation of what oppresses humanity. Artificial intelligence, free from humanity's control and out to destroy its creator. However, the following conflict between humanity and machine destroyed the planet. And only we were to blame. In the 21st century, mankind darkened the sky in order to cut off the autonomous robots from their number one energy source – the sun. Unfortunately, we didn't just turn the planet into a deserted hellscape. The machines had to rethink their strategy.
No one knows how much time has passed since then. The only thing we know for sure is that humanity no longer lives free. Instead, we exist in massive tanks, void of reality. With only one purpose – to serve the machines as an energy source or battery. We are trapped in a shared simulated world. We go by our daily routines absolutely oblivious, exploited by capitalism. We will never find out that the world as we know it actually doesn't exist at all.
Red vs. Blue
But the 1999 classic doesn't just have philosophical thinking on its side. It also used new technologies such as bullet-time, a technique which has been an integral part of cinema since it was popularised in Matrix.
The first film follows hacker Neo (played by Keanu Reeves). During the day he's Thomas Anderson, working at a software company. But at night, he dives into the cyberspace. This is where he encounters the term «Matrix», as well as the name «Morpheus». One night, the hacker Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) lures him to a meeting by warning him of danger. This kicks off a tug of war between Agents controlled by the machines and a rogue group of humans wanting to free Neo from the Matrix. Before emerging from his prison, Neo's never sure what's dream or reality. He must then make a grave choice: to continue his imprisonment in oblivious safety, or to jump into the unknown, opening his eyes to the real world for the first time. He is offered a red and a blue pill; the blue one stands for a life with luxurious security, quiet happiness and blissful ignorance of the harsh realities of life. The red one offers a life of heavy knowledge, desperate burdens and the brutal truths of reality.
To the delight of the audience, Neo swallows the red pill, and the adventure begins. It would continue with two sequels in 2003 – «Matrix Reloaded» and «Matrix Revolutions».
Part four: production starts in 2020
Various media outlets, such as variety.com, are now reporting that Warner Bros. has announced a continuation of the existing film trilogy. Naturally, the fourth instalment will feature both Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Production is scheduled to begin in 2020. Lana Wachowski will again direct, with direct involvement from her sister Lilly. The script for the film will also be written by Lana. She'll be joined by Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell. The film will be produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. We can only speculate about its plot.
Toby Emmerich, CEO of Warner Bros, announced the upcoming instalment. Emmerich pointed out how excited he was for the project, saying: «Lana is a true visionary — a singular and original creative filmmaker — and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in «The Matrix» universe.»
I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.