As we endure the accelerating outrages of what Billy Beck so eloquently calls "the Endarkenment" there are from time to time flashes of brightness that remind me that all is not lost, not yet. Hard as it is to believe, even today every now and again the forces of Freedom strike a spark and remind us that there still is hope for the people of these presently united States. In particular, there are several films that have been made whose existence I find amazing. Not for their special effects or computer imagery, but for the simple fact that they exist. Three of these (there are many others, mostly older) are "The Matrix" and sequelae, "V is for 'Vendetta' " and "Minority Report." I am no fan of broadcast television, or of much of what passes for entertainment today, but if you, gentle reader, have not yet seen all three of these films, I urge you to do so.
The Matrix movies' crisp, incisive, Aristotelian insistence that reality is real, that there are absolutes, that Truth exists and that each person is responsible for their actions are anathema to the foggy headed collectivism that permeates Hollywood.
It may be that the makers of "the Matrix" used the Jungian/Hegelian archtypes of layers of mutable reality also evoked in this film as camoflage. (I would love to discuss this over a beer with the Wachowski brothers.) Bottom line, in the world of the Matrix, as in the real world, individuals matter. Principles matter. Resistance is NOT futile; even in a system wholly dominated by an all but omniscient AI computer system, individual actions are decisive in the outcome. The parallels between the depiction of the unknowing people plugged into the fictional Matrix and the present day serfdom of the multitudes of tax-slaves scurrying off to work each day are staggering, and powerful. I've spoken earlier about our present involvement in a war of ideas and a conflict of cultures; "The Matrix" is a powerful subliminal blow in favor of individualism and against totalitarianism.
"V is for 'Vendetta'" is more overtly anti-authoritarian than the Matrix, and more personal, but the base theme is the same- Reality is real, there are absolutes, Truth exists and actions have consequences. Lord Acton's dictum and the corruption of power is mercilessly limned for all to see, on all sides. Not only is the corruption of the tyrannical government shown but so is the corruption of V, himself. The power and actions of a single individual in response to a monstrous injustice is the basis for the entire film, and again, I am stunned that this film was ever made.
"Minority Report" is at least overtly much more subtle than either the Matrix or "V", but here again you see the corruption of power, the power of personal choice, and the evil result of unprincipled good intentions. Recent revelations about the actions of the out-of-control intelligence and security apparat in these presently united States make this film much more germane than when it was first released, and the awesome whiz-bang CGI special effects help obscure the moral principles being evoked, at least until the end of the film.
If I were to use these films to help make the case for individual liberty, I think I would start with "Minority Report," then show "Matrix," then present "V." These movies are absolutely opposed to what we see going on in society today. Their existence is a powerful argument that either collectivist totalitarians are more stupid than I can believe, or that there is still some good to be found in the movie business. Or both! The simple existence of these films is an amazement to me and should be an encouragement to all who serve the Light. If you have not yet seen them, please do so. You deserve a treat.
With regard to all who serve the Light,
Historian