1. The Matrix By Megan Brant and Gemma Lovitt 2. Key Facts The matrix was released in 1999. Its a science fiction film written and directed nu Larry and Andy Wachowski. Box office info The film earned $171 million in the US and $460 million worldwide. Producer Joel Silver Themes: The blurred line between humans and machines; fate vs free will; the relationship between body, brain and mind. Protagonist: Neo (a.k.a Thomas A Anderson) 3. Theory + Postmodernity In Postmodern thought the Martix oftenreferences Baudrillards philosophy to demonstrate that the movie is and allegory for contemporary experience in a heavily commercialized, media driven society. Bricolage is a key postmodern feature due to ahost of art forms, genres and influences being demonstrated. 4. Explain how the matrix is postmodern 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. 5. Continued The film itself focussed around typical science fictionelements, concentrates on a 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.