The REAL reason "Awakened" rebels where Dark Sunglasses

[soadeternal]

I discovered why those black stylish sunglasses are used in The Matrix, and hopefully this will be a great insight to a lot of other people, and I'm sure this is one of those things thats has about four different meanings, that's just how the Wachowski's work, but I'm sure this is one of the top two reasons. A movie came out in 1988 about a "down-on-his-luck" construction worker named John Nada, who finds a pair of black sunglasses. When he puts them on, he's able to see society for what it truly is, normal people walking around while being manipulated by messages like "Stay Asleep," "Submit to Authority," and "No Imagination." In one scene, he looks down at a man holding money, and when he puts his shades on, the words, "I Am Your God" are on it instead. He is "awakened" now by these glasses, and I'm sure the Brother's being the film buffs they are, this cult hit really impacted the trilogy.

What adds to the movie is that besides these huge messages on billboard signs saying "OBEY," there are weird-looking people, almost like their insides are on the outside of their face. But, when he takes the glasses off, they look just like any other person. He bumps into one in one scene, and he insults it, and it realizes that he has been awakened and can see "it." So, it presses a button on its watch, and starts making a description of John Nada,"Tall, caucasian, male....." and all of these people start describing him into a radio transmitter in their watches. This show's the whole idea of Agents being in normal people's bodies, it was clear to me now that instead of the "radio watches," in The Matrix, the Agents use those ear pieces that F.B.I. people use. Everybody need's to go out to their rental store and rent this movie it is awesome, even if I never heard of The Matrix, it's interesting, and it's directed by John Carpenter, a great filmmaker. This sleeper hit is one of his lesser known works. It is one of the best sleepr cult hit's I've ever seen, it show's how easily people are subdued, and the concept is incredibly concieved. It was based on a short story, by Ray nelson, titled Eight O'Clock in the Morning. The link for it is here: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/9412/8oclock.html

So, the reasoning behind the shades in The Matrix is explained, and an inspiration I'm sure for Agents is also explained, two mysteries that lingered in my mind all the time, and does anybody have any comments about it? Go rent this movie, "John Carpenter's They Live."

[Superchunk]

Hey cool...sounds very interesting, I'll make sure I rent it next time.

[soadeternal]

Yeah, you really should superchunk, this is a great movie, and thank you for replying to my post. I’m sure it’s better for us Matrix fans to sit here and discover the underlaying of this great film trilogy that the Brother’s have made for us, rather than discuss and reply to useless threads on things such as, “I think that there was a reference in Reloaded to Revolutions.” What do you say to this? Good observation. Then, when some individual makes an important discovery, most likely something that no one has ever seen before, maybe one person makes a thoughtful, “Hey, that was interesting. Keep it coming.” Strange how these boards work. I’ve seen other people do this, and all people answer to them is, well, nothing. But, then some blockhead says something we all know and we all tend to start replying to it. Give me a break.
Sorry, this also is not meant to whine about things, like I am guilty of doing, but to show people the truth. I was just making a careful observation. Forgive me for my insult, it’s not meant to the most of you. Anyways, this will clear the whole sunglasses mystery up for those of us that do care, I know I did, and tell me, what do you think about the short story that it was based on?

[Spike2002]

Wow, interesting.

[cyber_tim64]

then again they might just want to look cool

[soadeternal]

Yes, I realized someone would end up saying that, "maybe they just wanted to look cool." I'm sure that's why they look so stylish, right? Well, if you read closely, I wrote in the beginning of my observation that "...I'm sure this is one of those things that has about FOUR different meanings..." so I have already implied that I just wanted to point out one of the main reasons, which this is. I don't understand why people just can't accept that this is interesting, and new to them. Yeah, you have a point though, they sure did want to look stylish. But, the point of this thread was just to show that there are meanings that aren't that easy to get by just using 3 percent of your brain, right? Ok, thanks for your insight people. Oh, and again, this message was only to a select few, I know a lot fo you are actually taking this in. Thanks, again.

[awakened]

damn...I thought this thread was about me:funny:

Anyway I've seen that movie and I still say it's because they look cool.

[soadeternal]

your entitled to your opinion, and i actually was keeping you in mind while i wrote this. wat a coincidence?

j/p but really does anybody like the short story, matrixists out there?

[awakened]

you mean the comic books? If so then theres a bunch that are surprisingly good. Goliath was great. Can't think of the other titles.

[bigdroors]

Not to mention this flick's main character is none other than Rowdy Roddy Piper! On of WWF's wildest characters from back in the day!
Excellent correlation b/t the two flicks soadeternal. Its funny when people come up with these ideas, and Im like "why didnt i think of that!"
I watched the movie on Sci-Fi the other day. Its about aliens trying to subdue humans, and with the sunglasses on, he can see this and the aliens...right?

[soadeternal]

No awakened I meant the short story that I posted the URL for, that's what the movie was based on. And yea bigdroors it was rowdy roddy piper! he surprisingly did really good in this movie, and I always thought he was in the wwe? Well i wouldn't know, I don't like wrestling. But you hit it on the spot, he sees the aliens that are controlling everybody's thoughts and brain patterns, just like the machines were doing to humans in the matrix. The brother's are great arent they? Such attention to detail. And also, what i find interesting is that the main character is a wrestler, and the wachowski's love wrestling, they have commented that they would like to make a film depicting it how it really should be, for what it truly is. They even named there company Burlyman Entertainment. The scene with the 100 Smith's is titled the Burly Brawl, and Neo v. Smith in Revolution's was titled the Super Brawl, what is this fascination with wrestling? Anyways, that's that, on top of that.

[Rabbit12]

i like ure idea about the glasses and agree that it was probs the idea, as well as it just lookin kool as hell.

[soadeternal]

I'm pretty sure that this was the main reason that the sunglasses were used in the movies. Any more ideas?

[G-Matrix]

imo the shades r for hidding and looks

[Izzy]

Then why do agents, seraph, the twins, and most of merv's programs wear sunglasses?

[dogisburning]

Um...for the look?

[soadeternal]

Izzy, I think you brought up the idea I have been waiting for. . .I too, have thought this out, and I wish I had as much insight on this as I did originally on the reason the Rebels wore the sunglasses, now, the Twins, Mero's Minions, and Agents shades are another story. I mean, I suppose that you could infer by this movie that I quoted up top, that they too, can see the truth. I mean, that doesn't mean that they have to wear sunglasses persay, but this is just a meaning behind a meaning type thing, right? It's safe to say that the "evildoers" also know the truth but are just going against those opposed to it. Also, I believe that in all three movies they tend to focus on the shades of the rebels more, like close-up shots of Morpheus' glasses, Neo's of course, Trinity, etc. But, also a lot of shots are done close-up to Agent Smith's face. So, this leads me to another meaning behind the sunglasses, reflections. Reflections are present throughout the entire story, symbolizing Neo and his other self, Thomas A. Anderson. I think that is why they get closer to the sunglasses in certain scenes.
The real topic is why the bad guys too? Well, just like in the Bible, Satan knows the truth, as well as Jesus himeslf does, he lives in the spiritual dimension, and he has control of the World. They both know the truth, they are just on two oppisite sides of the spectrum, one thinks he can win, the other already knows he can. One is stronger, and one is weaker. Agents can wear sunglasses just like Rebels can, it doesn't truly matter, they both know the truth, but it boils down to what truth do they really want to believe, who will win is more of the question. Yes, the war will wage on long after Neo is dead, and I don't want to debate wether he is coming back or not, that's on another thread. I believe he will again, just like the Resurrection of Jesus brought him back. Anyways, I hope this hasn't gotten to the point where it is pointless, because I just wanted to make an observation on one of the influences of the Wachowski's, since very little is known about them. Ok? I hope that cleared it up Izzy.

[bigdroors]

Id wear sunglasses too if I had to stare at computer code 24/7.

[Izzy]

Originally posted by soadeternal
Izzy, I think you brought up the idea I have been waiting for. . .I too, have thought this out, and I wish I had as much insight on this as I did originally on the reason the Rebels wore the sunglasses, now, the Twins, Mero's Minions, and Agents shades are another story. I mean, I suppose that you could infer by this movie that I quoted up top, that they too, can see the truth. I mean, that doesn't mean that they have to wear sunglasses persay, but this is just a meaning behind a meaning type thing, right? It's safe to say that the "evildoers" also know the truth but are just going against those opposed to it. Also, I believe that in all three movies they tend to focus on the shades of the rebels more, like close-up shots of Morpheus' glasses, Neo's of course, Trinity, etc. But, also a lot of shots are done close-up to Agent Smith's face. So, this leads me to another meaning behind the sunglasses, reflections. Reflections are present throughout the entire story, symbolizing Neo and his other self, Thomas A. Anderson. I think that is why they get closer to the sunglasses in certain scenes.
The real topic is why the bad guys too? Well, just like in the Bible, Satan knows the truth, as well as Jesus himeslf does, he lives in the spiritual dimension, and he has control of the World. They both know the truth, they are just on two oppisite sides of the spectrum, one thinks he can win, the other already knows he can. One is stronger, and one is weaker. Agents can wear sunglasses just like Rebels can, it doesn't truly matter, they both know the truth, but it boils down to what truth do they really want to believe, who will win is more of the question. Yes, the war will wage on long after Neo is dead, and I don't want to debate wether he is coming back or not, that's on another thread. I believe he will again, just like the Resurrection of Jesus brought him back. Anyways, I hope this hasn't gotten to the point where it is pointless, because I just wanted to make an observation on one of the influences of the Wachowski's, since very little is known about them. Ok? I hope that cleared it up Izzy.

In a word. Yes.

[Detori]

I've always seen the shades as an analogy for their characters. Neo's glasses are frameless and curved- he's not being held by the system and he's able to see it's bends.
Morpheus' have a pince-nez, holding it to his nose, with no frame. He's the seer, and is completely free.
The Agent's are frameless because they aren't being held back. They curve harshly because they themselves are harsh and rigid.
Smith's glasses are like an agent's combined with Neo's. They aren't a rectangle, but they take on a more rigid oval shape. He's no longer held back and now he understands, but he's still is evil, thus the ridges.

[soadeternal]

Hey, I found your ideas to be really insightful. I completely agree with you on that, I was thinking that that was another meaning obviously, but could never find the time to study each and everyone's glasses. That is a wonderful observation and I'm sure you deserve the credit for. I am pretty sure we have extenuated all of the possibility's of the different meanings, about three on this page, and mayeb there are others, but it's great to see other people out there still hype off of the Matrix trilogy. Those are the true fans :applaud:

[ip_guru]

Originally posted by Detori
I've always seen the shades as an analogy for their characters. Neo's glasses are frameless and curved- he's not being held by the system and he's able to see it's bends.
Morpheus' have a pince-nez, holding it to his nose, with no frame. He's the seer, and is completely free.
The Agent's are frameless because they aren't being held back. They curve harshly because they themselves are harsh and rigid.
Smith's glasses are like an agent's combined with Neo's. They aren't a rectangle, but they take on a more rigid oval shape. He's no longer held back and now he understands, but he's still is evil, thus the ridges.

This is most likely the closest to reality. The entire Matrix series is style, pure style. The characters look stylish, they act stylish, they wear stylish clothing, and they wear stylish glasses. Then, the wardrobe consultant and/or clothing designers study the character and decide what glasses would best fit the character. To think it is more than that, in my opinion, is unrealistic. Not everything has four meanings, not everything even has one meaning.

They Live is an interesting movie, I like it. Just about any movie made today could be linked back to another movie, or so it seems. There are tons of things that influence people, both conscious and sub-conscious. Inspiration for the Matrix? It is everywhere, the brothers just did a great job of bringing it together. If you want to go far back, one of the best starting points is Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

[soadeternal]

Yes, I do agree with you, sometimes it does not have multi-meanings and sometimes it could just be some type of inspiartion from way back subconsciously, but I think what you said and what I said demonstrate the purpose for th Matrix, it lets us all have our own personal theories on them wether you believe it to be an unreality or I believe it to be a reality. That's the beauty of it all. Perhaps it could just be stylish to fit the movie, but I think that that's just another level of it. The brothers love anime and The way that they have Neo's jacket jus ripple in the air and the way he stands, etc. it's all anime, or what you consider stylish. But I want to agree with you that if you want to go way back look at Platos Allegory of the Cave, you'll see it all, I reccomend it to everyone, check it out.

[Rocksolidus]

Originally posted by dogisburning
Um...for the look?

i'd have to agree. they do look pretty damn good, don't they. sexy too mind you!

[eclipsedman]

In regards to the sunglasses, in Reloaded Neo is asked by Persephone to kiss him and make her feel like Trinity. At first he has his glasses on and his kiss isn't good enough, he then takes them off and it is much better. Any relevence there? Neo also takes off his sunglasses and puts them on before fights.

[soadeternal]

He also takes them off near the end of Reloaded to "heal" Trinity from her bullet wound. . .I agree with you on this, there is a meaning behind him taking it off, perhaps to feel the truth easier, to "see" without using his real eyes, I don't know what it is, any insight anybody?

[G-Matrix]

or maybe is like a filter....decoding the matrix code....mmmmforget it...I'm just sleepy

[soadeternal]

What do you mean a filter? Could you explain this a bit more

[spiderman_2k]

I think he means (or this is the way I took it) That when you are unplugged from the Matrix, you see the matrix differently, so the glasses filter out certain things, either way it doesn't make sense as they dont always wear glasses...Plus he was sleepy

[G-Matrix]

later I'm hungry.....

[soadeternal]

haha ok thanks! im hungry too

[Rabbit]

i thought that movie was Dark City...?