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Neo is given the spoon as a method of explaining to him that zion is not real but part of the Matrix it's self.

When Neo says he can sense the sentinels he is telling us he now knows that zion and the outside world are really part of the matrix.

The computer set up zion as a refuge for people who would not accept the matrix. People who are dissatisfied with the life they are given and refuse it. Zion is full of minorities because it is minorities that most reject the world they have been given. Only victims end up in Zion. They are still plugged into the system but they believe they have escaped and are fighting against "The Man".

When Neo goes Unconscious he is entering the "Real" world outside the matrix. He can not just disappear from the zion matrix because that would alert the refuges to the zion matrix that they are not in the real world.

Hints can be found in the first movie. When the Neb explodes the EMP device to destroy the sentinels the world flows in a way that it flows when a major explosion occurs in the matrix or when neo uses his flight power.

Neo is able to disable the sentinels with his mind in a real world this is not possible.

Smith is able to implant himself in the body of a real human in Zion. Thus Zion is just another iteration of the Matrix.

You haven't left we still have you where we want you. The main computer lied to NEO all the other 6 choose the same path he did.

Excellent analysis Sentis.

My son and I saw the movie last night. My son immediately brought up the idea of a Matrix within a Matrix idea and we have been debating it ever since.

Very interesting to see you detail his argument almost verbatum.

One question though. I still don't understand why the spoon is considered 'unused' (unbent?) and why this means they are not in the real world.

I recongnized Cornell West immediately and my son pointed out the heavily minority Zion population.

All in all, I thought it was an excellent movie. Great special effects action and plenty of thought provoking philosophical ideas that brings the best out of the science fiction genre.

The matrix within matrix is very logical, but I find that hard to believe for some reason. The hints are there, for instance as opposed to a greenish hue to the matrix, there is a bluish hue to the "real world". I may be over analyzing, but look when Neo wakes up for the first time in the first Matrix in the Nebuchadnezzar, the screen is all blue for a split second, almost like a system starting up. Furthermore the dream of Neo's of Trinity falling out of the building, Neo tries to tamper with, by not allowing Trinity to come into the Matrix. However a faulty bridge ends up killing the operator in the other ship and they can't avoid the machine attackers. As a result Naiobi and others sent in in Trinity's spot are killed. Almost as a way of showing that destiny can't be tampered with, because its all pre-programmed in one way or another. Furthermore, at that exact same time Morpheus is talking about how he doesn't believe in coincidence, or accident. This would suggest that the "real world" is under the control of machines-- a second matrix. The hints are certainly there in support of it, but it seems it would be alot to explain in a final movie.

I too think there is a second higher matrix for those who are dissatisfied with the original matrix. I think most of your points are good and valid, but I part paths with you with regards to determinism.

Whether Neo realizes it or not, when he chooses the door to go back and save Trinity, he is making a claim to the fact that even in a determined universe humans still have the freedom to choose.

If the W brothers are going to waste time with 19th century Newtonian determinism they are not nearly as well versed in philosophy as I had previousely thought. However, I do not believe they believe this.

I too believe the architect may have been lying, but if he lied about one thing, then why are we to believe he is telling the truth about anything else? We can't pick and choose his lies. If he is going to trick Neo, he

1) Has to make him feel not special
2) Has to make it look like a fatalistic choice
3) Has to demoralize him when it looks like Neo is going to make the choice that the architect does not want him to.

Also, after seeing the movie a second time, I am still not convinced the oracle is evil (the architect is a liar, I think we could agree).
During the conversation with Neo the second time I saw it, I picked up on a few lines that I didnt notice before

The oracle admits that Neo has to trust her.

The oracle asks Neo if he saw Trinity dying. Neo promptly says no and the oracle looks a bit shocked.

Then the oracle says that the choice has already been made whether or not Neo is going to let Trinity die. He only needs to understand why.

Finally, at the end, The oracle notes that she is now a believer that he is the one, whereas previousely she was not.

In the last movie, the oracle said he was not the one, noting implicitly that Neo did not lead the "examined life" (know thyself).

The oracle, I think, realizes that Neo is now examining his life and trying to understand the why. The previous 5 one's dd not do such a thing and thus became a tool for the architect.

Hence, Neo has the capability of coming to the true reality that the other 5 "pawns" were not capable of doing previousely.

The W brothers are deeper than simple newtonian determinism.