Post-Release Matrix Reloaded Discussion

It begins....

People who haven't seen the movie yet...BE WARNED. IT WILL BE SPOILED FOR YOU if you enter this thread.

That being said...Have at it!

I've seen it. Envy me. I SAID ENVY ME!!!!!!!!

Now if anyone else has seen it I'll share a thought I had. You know how the first one had certain parallels to Alice in Wonderland. While watching Reloaded I got the feeling of it having parallels to Wizard of Oz. You know, the Architect of the Matrix being found inside that big green tinted building like a Wizard being found in his castle in the Emerald City. Army of Smiths much like an army of flying monkeys.

Not sure I see the Wizard of Oz parallels, more like the Quest for the Holy Grail than that. Enlighten me!

It seems a lot of people are down on this for being over philisophical. The interesting thing for me is that all of that over-philosiphying is totally blown up at the end... all of Morpheus beliefs are blown up and proven to be shit, nothing but control.

So it seems to me to be silly to complain about something that the movie itself proves to be nothing but a sham.

so how many different action scenes are in this movie ?

I don't mean to bitch, but I actually started a thread before this one. It's far down below. I posted a bunch of thoughts on the movie. Should I copy and paste them there?

Now you gotta wonder, are Neo's powers real now like they were buried deep inside and they came out in the end, or are they really just in another Matrix. "Something's changed. I can feel them."

SJR's reivew of The Matrix: Reloaded made me happy like a school girl. That's the accurate one.
I was worried for a while there, after reading Harry Knowles review, but then remembered that I don't agree with him often enough, and couldn't care any less what, really, any reviewer has to say about the film.

It's fantastic. I loved it. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

I haven't take Harry's opinion seriously since the Blade 2 review, if ever. Anyone who describes a sexual act he will never participate in as a metaphor for a movie doesn't deserve to be taken seriously. I'll take a look at Mori's review when it goes up.

My understanding was that Neo was bred to be the anomaly that reboots the Matrix, and his choice to save Trinity will cause a huge system crash...
Also, the post-apocalyptic "real world" might just be another facet of the Matrix, anyway. This would explain Neo's being able to bring down the Squids after the loss of the Nebuchnezzer.
Dig those great flying sequences! Man - Neo dragging all that wreckage in his wake - damn!

Yeah the flying is pretty cool. If those morons at WB can get a proper Superman movie ever off the ground, they have some good tech already for flying.

I hope everyone knows to expect SPOILERS in this thread. This will be the last time I scroll down.
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Ok, Hobbit that fact that all this philosiphizing gets blown up in the end of the movie made me hate it even more. It seemed like my time was wasted listening to Morpheus talk out of his ass and in the end, he is wrong. Sure its twisted, but I didn't need to hear all that garbage before hand. I like the twist at the end. I am interested in seeing where they go with it in reloaded.

One thing that I don't understand that people are liking is the merovingian. That was my least favorite scene in the movie. I was getting lost in that french guys friggin dialogue. he was spewing so much bullshit. The cake-asm was cool, but kinda childish and immature if you ask me. It seemed very outta character for the tone of the movie.

I like the Alice in wonderland comparison Zod. Very applicable. I really hope Revolutions spends good amount of time in the matrix. I am not looking forward to what could be mechwarrior the movie.

The flying was pretty sweet.

Overall, I thought the film was excellent. The only time the philosophy stuff bothered me was during the opening parts of the film, with the military/senate/dance stuff.

Other than that, it was gold. I like it the more I think about it.

I want to see it again to see if the opening 20-30 minutes grows on me as well.

The twist at the end WAS that Morpheus was wrong. Neo's new abilities are not a twist, but rather an evolution in his power.

Morpheus utter belief in Neo and the prophecy was a central theme of the first movie too. One of the interesting things is that you complain about Morpheus pontificating... but he says very little about his beliefs beyond that he believes them without reservation. When challenged, he simply says that he does not require others to believe.

So I'm not really sure what the complaint is. Questioning life and our place in it, questioning fate was always a part of The Matrix... now it questions even what it was questioning... its a mind fucker. Deal with it or let your eyes glaze over and just watch the kung fu.

Agent Smith possesing that guy's physical body was fucking crazy. Can't wait to see what comes of that in the next film. Agent Smith is a real boy!

I too could have done without all that Zion crap. Bunch of dancing freaks. That annoying Kid. All that crap about Tank and Dozer's sister. Would have rather seen some more Monica Belucci. I also would have prefered to see more of Carrie Anne instead of Keanu's pale ass.

If no one knows the action scene count, can you tell me if the chateau fight was any good?

What annoyed me about the Chateau scene was that Neo could have stopped those guys a lot easier if he stopped hitting them with the fucking blunt sides of the weapons. It seemed like he was pulling his punches for some reason. Which seemed really lame. Not like it mattered if he killed them since they were just machines, plus he ended up just killing them after that. A lot of the fights in the movie really didn't have any other reason besides to look cool.

This is from the thread I started the other day. Please feel free to discuss:

!!!WARNING!!!! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!

So, I saw it today and all I can think of is...I need to see it again. I don't necessarilly mean that in a good way, though. It's not like it blew my mind and I can't wait to rush back into the theater. I only say it because...quite honestly...there is a lot of shit there, and I don't think I understand it all.

The movie reminds me of a live-action Anime. There is sooo much plot cramed into it's running time, so much going on, and so much action on TOP of all that. This doesn't surprise me, really, since the Wachowski brothers said they were heavily influenced by Anime. But the first movie didn't really have this kind of vibe. It took it's time to explain what was going on, it took time to set up the world it existed in. I thought I understood that world, but I was wrong. Dead wrong.

I don't know what the Oracle is. I guess she's part of the machines, created and brought into the creation of the Matrix (or one of the Matrix's) so that humans coulc better adapt to their enslavement. I'm guessing at some point, she decided that what the machines were doing was wrong, and decided to side up with the humans.

Or...maybe not? WAS she lying to Neo? Was the whole "prophecy" just a sham, another way to keep the resistance in order? And if so, how is it that Neo is still alive? Part of the prophecy was that Trinity would fall in love with the one, and that the one can't die (as seen in the first movie). So, is the Oracle lying...some of the time? I'm confused about her now.

Further, I don't know what's going on with Smith. I understand one of his new powers (the cloning of himself to fit with other Agents/slaves of the Matrix) but how the hell does he exist inside of Bane, the only surviver of Zion (if I'm reading the ending correctly). And what does Smith want???? I don't think I'm supposed to know the answer to this, but it frustrates me all the same.

Who's the key master? The agents refered to him as "the exile," so I'm guessing he's an old part of the program. But if that's so, how come he can be "deleted" just by "gun shots" in the matrix? I can understand the whole "if the mind dies, you die" theory, but does that work for computer programs as well? I know they're not invincible (hence, Agent Smith's death in the last movie) but is all it takes a couple of stray bullets?

WHO is the french dude? Is he an "ex-one"? Is he an "ex-agent" from a former Matrix, or from the new Matrix, that was replaced by the Smiths and Company? I'm guessing that's the case, but if so how did he team up with his "wife?" And what was that kiss all about? I'm guessing more of that will be revealed in the last movie.

The Architect. He made it seem like Neo had two choices: to save Trinity or save the world. But I think I'm wrong about this. Was his choice "Save Trinity, or start Zion all over again?" (the whole pick 27 people out and start fucking, theory). If that's the case, why would Neo EVER choose that? Is that what the French dudes chose?

Why can Neo now stop the sentinels? Why is he now in a coma? What the FUCK is going on?

It's frustrating. It's frusutrating because you think you know everything about this world, and then the rug gets ripped out from underneath you. This, however, is NOT a bad thing. It's still a good movie. Unlike most sequels, it takes its ideas and expands on them rather than just repeating them. Could those ideas be explained with a little more clarity? Sure, but I have faith in what the brothers are doing. I'm guessing most of the holes will be filled by the time REVOLUTIONS comes out. At least, I hope so.

So...what do you guys think? Please, feel free to offer up any explanations. The screening I went to was at 9 in the morning, so I was a bit tired at the time.

My prediction for the 3 and 4-day box-office gross:

3-day-95 million

4-day-126 million

Whew, I'm thankful this thread came around. So many ideas and questions...

I was thinking perhaps when Neo awakes at the beginning of Reloaded, he's actually being rebooted or "reloaded" along with the Matrix. Since the film is all about choices the matrix is reloaded because he chose to save Trinity. The dream wasn't merely a dream but a flashback and deja-vu at the same time. Remember the Architect telling Neo he was the sixth 'One'. What if his flashbacks (and dreams) were of the previous times he realized his power, set out to find the keymaker and open the door then was presented with the choice to save Zion or save Trinity. Except the previous times he failed to save Trinity and somehow caused the Matrix to lock up and reboot. This time it's different because he actually saves her and when Revolutions comes out we'll find exactly what that means.

Agent Smith takes over the body of a guy early on in the movie and winds up in the real world. I've been wondering how exactly he has done this and why. Maybe Zion is still part of the Matrix and this is all a plan by the Architect? Why didn't Neo fly into the Architect and bust open his code ala the end of the first Matrix?

Also the scene with the Architect, is that previous 'One's he's showing Neo? With the video of different Neos reacting? That reminded me a lot of Total Recall.

Lastly, I'm confused, was Zion destroyed at the end of Reloaded?

Wow, those are some really interesting concepts bozz.

I was also wondering if Zion was destroyed. Was it mentioned in passing at the end of the movie when they were fleeing the Nebuchadnezzar?

From reading ParkersSeventh's post, I thought Zion was destroyed and maybe I missed that piece of information. They did say they found "one survivor" but I thought it was just in reference to a ship not all of Zion.

I was wondering how Neo was able to stop the sentinels? He would surely have to part machine. Agent Smith is becoming more human. Maybe it's part of the Matrix evolving? Take on the better aspects of humans?

I see this tonight at midnight, Pacific time, a private screening at the AMC Cinerama (the best theater around here, yay!) in downtown Seattle.
I took a peek at a spoiler in this thread and decided to stop and not read further. I don't want to know what happens, even though I think I will be slightly confused by the movie. It seems however, that this movie is impossible for somone to make sense out of it, in the context of what we know today. It's easy to see why so many people make fun of it. Apparently, a movie doesn't need to be explainable. I think it needs to be a thrill ride, and to be a dramatic tale of the struggle to save our species.
There is real psychological horror in the Matrix, for me, regarding Neo becoming aware of his incomprehensible situation. I look forward to his further discovery of his abilities to bring hope to this awful story.

It wasn't Zion that was destroyed, but the squadron of 5 ships sent to counterattack at the weak points Lock identified.

(edit for typoo. Like that one.)

Just saw the 10:00 screening, which packed 3 theaters. I liked it...a lot. I need another viewing though, just to get everything sunk in. Can't wait for the next one. I think Laurence Fishburne was a little hammy in the beginning of the movie, but that was his character. It felt a bit slow to me at the start, but I think that was due to us kind of getting acquainted with the characters again and setting up the story.

The fight scene with Neo and the 18,000 or so Agent Smiths in the basketball court was great. And the car/motorcycle chase had me ducking a few times. That was probably my favorite sequence in the movie.

And for those of you that didn't stick around until after the credits...you missed a preview for "Matrix Revolutions". Ha HA!

Everyone is full of shit(well maybe not, becuase they can form their own opinions), I fucking loved it! Even the Zion stuff! Even the rave! This is probably because I am a kung fu and anime junkie who loved the philosophical part of the movie. However, I did not think it was better or even equal to The Matrix. Can't wait to see it again tomorrow. There is so much in the movie to analyze deeper. I am thankful for all of the mixed reviews going into the movie, my hopes here definately in check, which I imagine really helped me enjoy it. Who knows? Maybe I would hae enjoyed it anyway? Maybe I'll like it more or less the next time I see it. All I know is that my initial reaction is that it was great! Now I must sleep...

Hope you loved it Bateman!

just saw it, loved it. if i had not read SJR's,Nick's,Fazer's and others thoughts on the film than i probably would not have liked it as much. I changed my expectations and ended up really loving the movie. I could have lived without the rave scene but other than that it will most definitely be my favorite movie of the summer.

There were many moments in that basketball court fight scene when it would have been a lot better if it wasn't doing the slow motion thing. In all those moments I kept thinking I was watching a Final Fantasy cut scene or something.

I really thought it was destroyed (and I'm not alone. If you read Knowle's review, he thinks the same thing). Why would the machines just kill five ships and spare Zion? All I remember is the line that says "When the machines finally broke through it wasn't a battle, it was a slaughter."...something like that. If I am wrong about the destruction of Zion (and I hope I am!) please let me know. I'm going to see it again soon anyway, so I guess I'll see for myself.

As far as the begining sequence being a "flash back" to Neo's previous lives (or previous "one's") I think that's pretty illogical. The other "one's" had to be other people, right? Even though the Matrix is producing these one's, they still need to be human , and need to be giving off energy. Neo isn't 600 hundred years old or whatever, so they'd have to be other people (unless the machines have found a way to keep people alive for hundreds of years and just "re-incarnate" them in the Matrix, which seems unlikely).

I'm still uncertain who the French guy is. Is he just a program? Everything I've read about the Monica Belluchi character says "she used to be human." So was she the trinity to the french dude's Neo? That is, was he a former "one" who made a different choice as Neo at the end when he found the architect, and chose to become re-assimilated back into the Matrix? I'm so confused about that aspect of the sequel...

I really need to see this again. I think I loved it, but I certainly really liked it. Very dense. It took me a bit to understand everything, and I'm not really sure I did. Not sure how the general public is going to react, though. My roommate, a casual moviegoer and big fan of the original, didn't seem to care for it too much until after we had much discussion about what may or may not have happened.

The good: Flying, fighting, effects (especially the burly brawl & the twins)
The not-so-good: The opening few minutes in Zion.

Taking the girlfriend to see it tomorrow night. I'm sure I'll have a better grasp after seeing it again.

I really liked it, all my friends HATED it. Well, not all, but a lot.

I really have to see the whole thing again, though. I think, after some contemplation, I have the whole thing locked down... except one little bit. During the architect's speech, what did he say that the purpose of the One was? The whole thing was flying by very quickly, and I missed the reason for his existence in the first place.

Also, the thing with the sentinels at the end makes me wonder... maybe the "real world" is just another Matrix? I used to think that idea was a little too extreme to actually be pulled off, but now, after the complete reversal of the movie's philosophical core, I don't think anything is out of the realm of possibility.

The orgy was excessive. The fight with the Oracle's bodyguard was cool, but excessive. The digital CPR was excessive. The ending of the freeway scene was utterly incredible.

I really loved this movie, and I think that it is on such a different plane that the first that they really cannot be compared. The first was a rather "intimate" (for lack of a better term) film that this was. The Zion opening served to show how epic that this struggle really was. I had always pictured Zion as a small cave with a few dirty humans struggling; not this huge city that has a million plus people.

At the showing I was at, there was a lot of love for the fight scenes, but not much for the heavy philosophy/love scenes. To me, those were the best part of the film. The Burly Brawl was great, but I was in awe of The Architect scene. The concepts brought up turned the films on their head, and really mind-fucked me.

As far as the end, I gathered that the EMP had taken out the 5 ships guarding that particular area, and that Bane was the survivor of those ships, not of all of Zion. Otherwise, how would we get Zion scenes in the preview of Revolutions. Also, I think that Smith took over Bane's mind, so all that changed was his "residual self image." His mind is possessed by Smith, thats why Smith is in the real world. Its like Smith overwrote his mind, and that translates over to the real world.

I gotta think about it some more, but what do you think about the real world being another Matrix? This is something that was tossed about around the time of the trilogy announcement, and something that I always thought would be a great twist for the series.

it didnt bother me like i thought it would, but if i could change one thing it would be the rave scene.

This movie is not going to fair well in the eyes of the public. I suddenly understand Time's spoiler-ific article, and the reason for Revolution's quick release.

I forgot to mention in my last post about your theory revolving Neo becoming more machine and Agent Smith becoming more human. I see this as a definet possibility. I think it has something to do with when Agent Smith tried to turn Neo into another Smith. Also, there was that long (long!) scene with Neo and the old council dude about "machines and men living together." That has to crop up again, eventually, and would explain why, even though the Oracle, her guard, and others are machines (programs) they're still fighting WITH the humans rather than against them. I just wish this idea was clarified a bit more in RELOADED because I think it's fucking fantastic. Think about it, what's the cooler idea? The fact that machines have enslaved humans and the humans are fighting back, or the idea the machines have developed this elaborate program, and certain aspects OF that program are sick of it and fighting back? Brilliant, if you think about it...

(edited because I thought I double posted but really didn't--doh!)

Can someone please explain to me who this guy is that's trying to kill Neo? Why does it look like their heads are connected?

My fave fight? Neo taking on the Village People in Merovingian's lair(he blocked the blade with his hand!!). Sweet stuff. The other's were fantastic for sure, but this one really had my attention.

The Superman producers should also take heavy notes on the flying effects done here. Pretty damn slick. Liked the pose he made above the clouds there.

Yeah, this film is going to be HATED by the casual fan. I understand the Bros. reasons for wanting Revolutions to be released in August as opposed to November. Not until its all said and done will this be appreciated by Joe Sixpack.

HOLY FUCKING GOD.

I needed to get that out of my system. Do I think this is the greatest movie ever? I honestly don't know. Do I think it's the greatest movie I've ever personally seen? Maybe. My head is so juiced right now, I'm having trouble putting simple thoughts together. That movie was so fucking deep, so fucking ballsy, so fucking brilliant, that I have no idea how I'm going to get to sleep tonight. I still can't believe the direction that the Wachowskis took for this. This will redefine the art of the sequel. We may not see the effects right away, but I am absolutely sure that we will eventually. This wasn't just expanding on the first movie, it was ripping it apart, spinning it back together, and then expanding beyond comprehension. Right now, I don't think I'm ready to talk about all the concept/philosophy stuff yet. I need to let that sink in for a bit.
I really loved the humanistic aspects in this movie. I fully and utterly believed in Neo's and Trinity's love, and I really felt for all the side characters (especially Link). Even the new "Mouse" was a welcome tangent. The meaty tone of the Zion world was amazing. I even found merit in the rave scene, which was the only complaint I heard among the groups that I was with. I really felt the energy of a desperate nation that refuses to embrace the disparity of their inexorably dire situation.
The special effects were superb, but we already knew that. I loved the Wachowskis take on the action this time around. In the first movie, the fights were about drama, like "Can Neo really win this?" This time around, with Neo being The One, that isn't quite as possible. Instead, the brothers went for sheer grace and beauty. I for one applaud this direction. I could watch those fights for eternity, marveling in the exquisite artistry.
The acting was top notch as well. Surprisingly. Reeves flat out amazed me. I didn't once think of him as Keanu "Whoa" Reeves. He IS the One. Also, Moss really moved me this time around. She didn't even come close to doing that in the first movie. Fishburne's presence was as powerful as ever, and seeing him hit with Neo's revelation was breathtaking. All the side characters were great as well. Their names escape me for now, but they filled their roles and then some.

Once again, I want to applaud the Wachowskis for not holding any punches, not taking any shit, and for deliviring one hell of a masterpiece.

P.S. - The Revolutions trailer. Short, yes, but could it be any sweeter? Not this side of heaven. Only the thought of repeated Reloaded viewings can blunt the pain of waiting for the finale of this truly magnificent spectacle.

Considering the nature of this film, I was surprised by how many people were blown away in my theater. People that I brought along for company, thinking they would surely not love it, ended up really appreciating it. These are people that barely understood the first one, let alone embraced it. The sheer scope and magnitude of this film in undeniable, whether you can wrap your head around it or not.

I really enjoyed that part of the film. As has been said, it really changed everything about the man vs. machine war from the first film. It was become much more gray than that. I figured that the Oracle was a machine from the first film, as it the only way that her existence made any sense. However, an entire "race" of rogue machines? That is a cool idea, and something that I hope is explored further in Revolutions.

Yep - really enjoyed it as well. Man there's alot of shit going on in the movie. Did pretty well keeping track of all it up until the Architect scene. Need to see that again - there was so much exposition there - couldn't keep track of it all.

Neo stopping the Sentinels - initial reaction - the real world ain't so real after all.

My vote goes for Zion being wiped as well.

Need to see it again and marshall my thoughts.

Main complaint - this is truly half a movie with one of the poorest endings ever.

I just figured (from the first film) that she was a human who had "woken up" from The Matrix and was living in Zion. The reason they had to meet her IN the Matrix was that it was convieniant, since they were far apart geographicly. Now I know that she's a program, that's a pretty cool idea, but I don't think it was the only way her existence made sense.

To me it was, because how else would she have known so much about future events inside the mythology of the film?

Wow, that was some bad film. And bad film making.

I don't know if I will see a sequence as bad as the Morpheus speech/rave/sex scene this year, honestly Larry can act, but was some fucking horrid shit.

And the action, bore. It's video game/kung fu lite. A few jolting moments where I was kinda into it, like the freeway scene, but mostly I was bored with it.

When the silly french guy stood in the backgroung like a boss while his minibosses fought, I was having Castlevania flashbacks. The Smith fights? Please, will someone get hurt? Am I supposed to feel the action? Am I supposed to feel the punches, cause it felt like a cartoon.

And the philosphy shit was so heavyhanded, it felt like the W's got it from those shity Matrix and Philosphy books.

Now the big twist, I couldn't really give a shit about that because I don't care about one single character. When you hit with that, give us some emotion. Christ, the emotion/love scenes in this were as flat and cliche it really truly felt like a student film.

I mean wow, this thing was fucking bad. I had low expectations, but not this low.

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That's the guy Agent Smith possessed early on. He's now in the "real" world at the same medical facility as Neo.

I'm not pulling any punches here. Anyone that wants to stay upbeat about this movie I suggest you skip what I have to say right now and move on.....

That movie took forever to end. I was bored out of my mind. This is nowhere near the first Matrix in terms of "fun". I didn't go in for the pseudo-philosophical stuff...I just wanted to be entertained with something new. The endless talking made this movie come to a halt too many times. And I don't mind talking in movies but the characters have nothing to say that we haven't heard already. Morpheus still talking like Spock, Neo and Trinity doing nothing until the next fight scene, blah blah blah. And the action, ugh. The action didn't justify all the talking I had to sit through. It felt so forced and pointless. The fight scenes...terrible. Every fight looks the same. The characters move stiff and slow. The punches and kicks have no impact whatsoever. It's like they're playing tag out there. And Joel Silver doesn't have to worry about anyone copying the special effects and fight scenes this time simply because THERE IS NOTHING TO COPY. The Neo vs 100 Smiths fight reminded me a lot of the fight in Blade II (Blade vs Nomack) only there weren't a 100 Nomacks all over the place. The great freeway chase? It was just like any other chase you see in an action movie...except these guys use slow motion like it's going out of style. Trinity on the bike was the only part that didn't have a "been there, done that" feel. Needless to say I feel no need to go see Matrix Reloaded again and it seriously put a downer on my anticipation for Revolutions. And if my crowd is any indication I wasn't alone in what I felt...I heard many negative grumbles when leaving the theater. The ushers warned us before the movie started that a trailer for Revolutions was after the credits and people were all hyped over it. After the movie was over I saw a lot of people leaving anyway. Whoever said the general public won't take 2nd viewings of this movie may be right.

The one redeeming factor about this night. I saw the Freddy vs. Jason trailer on my print of Reloaded and the crowd went nuts for it. It actually gave me chills

Ah, the requisite "this movie went over my head, so it fucking sucks" naysayers. Where would we be without them? I had two of these in my group of 20, and their asses were verbally kicked in the hole.

I enjoyed most of this, but the tonal shifts threw me and I will need to see it again to take it all in.

The Zion part was typical cheesy sci-fi...could've been any future movie ever. Fishburne's acting here was overdone crap.

Once they re-immersed, it became a 70's Kung Fu flick, right down to the music during the Burly Brawl. Bits of cheese here and there, but I liked it.

The final third, from Merovingian onward, I LOVED. Awesome blend of innovative action, thought-provoking philosophy from The Architect, and many mysterious things and characters that won't be fully realized until Revolutions (e.g. Persephone and that "kiss").

So on the whole, I agree with SJR. Got a Prisoner meets Enter the Dragon meets Existenz vibe from it. But I'd rank it JUST slightly less for the Zion stuff, which was hammy and dull to the point of distraction.

7.5 out of 10.

This is one of the best movies of the year and MUCH better than the first. I loved almost everything about it. I loved how seriously it took itself. It's nice in this endlessly selfconscious and ironic culture for someone to tackle big ideas without worrying about looking stupid.

The audience I was with HATED this movie. People were yelling at the screen during the Architect sequence - my favorite part of the film. I thought the freeway chase was AMAZING.

The movie was long and it felt every minute of the running time and maybe then some, but it was all worth it. The one big problem I have ever had with the mythology of the Matrix - why even allow the human batteries to have thoughts, why not lobotomize them? - seems about to be answered. I think the point of the humans is not in the energy they create but something they do or create when they leave the Matrix. Zion is important for reasons we haven't been told.