[- Is there no escape from the Matrix?
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By Aileen, Section question corner Posted on Sun May 25th, 2003 at 06:00:04 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
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Obviously, there is no escape for me personally, because I live with two members of what is presumably a major segment of the target audience for Matrix I&II - two male adolescent action film and computer game enthusiasts. For that reason, I have been enjoying reading the comments about the new film on Nettime and Bagasch, especially Erik Davis' article. Yesterday evening, though, I had a conversation with a neighbor that made me wonder how much point there really is to critical theoretical discussions about pop culture phenomena.
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My neighbor called to ask my opinion about whether he should allow his son to go to see The Matrix Reloaded and whether he would have to go with him, since it is rated PG-16 (14 in some cinemas, but that still applies to our sons). My neighbor said he resents this feeling of compulsion to think about - and probably even watch - a film he is not interested in, because his son is passionately convinced he will be missing out on something vital, if he doesn't get to see the film. I offered to forward Erik Davis' article to him and suggested we could meet for a drink, once we have all seen the film, to talk about it.
Afterward, though, I began to wonder if all the critical, theoretical discussions of this film are not ultimately just more "fuel for the fire". Are we not just promoting what we purport to criticize? Or does this kind of critical reflection actually have any kind of impact outside the small circle of people already interested in it anyway? |
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