If Neo and Batman went head to head, who would come out tops?
The Matrix and The Dark Knight are two captivating films that conjure up powerful illusions of a tragic world just a few clicks from the here and now.
Loosely basing The Matrix on Ghost in the Shell, the Wachowskis unleashed a game-changing and epic sci-fi action thriller about a hacker named Neo who wakes up in a programmed dream. A sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight became the lynchpin to Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed and monumental crime trilogy about Batman, a shadowy vigilante and protector of Gotham City.
With the unveiling of The Matrix and The Dark Knight trilogies on Showmax, we thought it was time to see how the iconic series’ figureheads measure up in a Neo v Batman mash-up.
Their origins
Thomas A Anderson is a computer programmer at the MetaCortex software company by day and a hacker selling contraband software under the alias Neo by night. When Neo receives a mysterious message, he’s compelled to follow “the white rabbit”, sending him on a dangerous journey, ultimately forced to pick between the red and blue pill.
Unplugging from The Matrix to find the grim reality of a machine-dominated world, he must discover the truth and fulfil a Messianic prophecy to become The One.
Bruce Wayne’s induction is more grounded in reality, committing his life to crime-fighting after witnessing his parents’ cold-blooded murder. A billionaire and Gotham’s most eligible bachelor, Wayne’s alter-ego is Batman, a superhero name derived from his fear of bats.
Raised by Alfred, the family butler, Wayne misses his opportunity to avenge his parents, which sends him on a seven-year quest to purge his fears and immerse himself in combat training. Using his limitless resources to build an array of cutting-edge armour, weapons and vehicles, he takes to the night to thwart supervillains like The Joker.s
Their similarities: mentors, side-kicks and vigilantism
Neo and Batman have a lot in common – both cloaked in black, harbouring alter-egos, fighting for humanity, battling dark forces and using a combination of martial arts hand-to-hand combat and weaponry.
Aided by their father figure mentors in Morpheus and Alfred, they’re flanked by Trinity and Catwoman in their relentless quest to overthrow and not succumb to evil.
Batman is one of the few self-made superheroes, heeding the call to be a hero in Batman Begins after ingratiating himself in the covert art of the ninja. While Bruce Wayne’s traumatic childhood set him on a path toward vigilantism, Mr Anderson was identified as a man who could possibly “change whatever he wanted within The Matrix”.
Their combat skills: environment is everything
Being able to upload any and all fighting styles makes Neo a formidable opponent to the more seasoned Batman. When it comes to combat and duking it out, augmentations and environment are crucial.
In the gritty real world, Batman would have the edge, using his special training, brute strength and gadgetry to subdue the highly skilled yet deeply human Neo. If they met within the playground of The Matrix, Neo’s world-altering, kung fu mastery, bullet time speed and flying in The Matrix Reloaded would make him unstoppable… just ask Agent Smith(s)!
Their empires: machinery vs connections
As an industry titan, Bruce Wayne’s immense fortune makes him able to invest in more machine technology, which is what becomes the Nebuchadnezzar ship’s greatest threat in Matrix Revolutions.
Yet, Neo’s hacker abilities and friends could help him destroy Wayne’s empire by rerouting funds, launching smear campaigns and vilifying Batman through fake news.
The final word: they are both formidable
Both iconic heroes wield a great deal of influence and power, which they dedicate to good and the preservation of life. Based on their common ground, they probably wouldn’t have to fight.
But when you weigh up their competitive advantages, the versus matchup would make an enthralling and head-scratching spectacle if they ever crossed over into each other’s universe.
Watch The Matrix and The Dark Knight trilogies on Showmax.