The Matrix with A Cappella Sound Effects

Merovingian: You see there is only one constant. One universal. It is the only real truth. Causality. Action, reaction. Cause and effect.

The only thing that would have made this movie better is if people understood it.

Ryan, we don't all have access to drugs.

That was about 2 minutes too annoying.

@Will ASN

Who needs drugs? This movie is chalked full of philosophical and religious imagery; you can't miss it unless you are overawed by the cinematics. The whole exchange between the Merovingian, Persephone, Morpheus and Neo is a philosophical debate over Determinism and Libertarianism. The Merovingian asserts that everything is caused to happen, that we are not free but we only think we are. He says true knowledge and true power are in the recognition of our ultimate slavery to causation. People think they act freely, and this allows great power to one who can recognize their true motives. He illustrates it with the orgasmic cake he has served to the voluptuous blonde in his restuarant, while describing her thought-process; wondering why the cake is so good "What is the reason? Soon the why and the reason are gone and all that matters is the feeling. This is the nature of the universe. We struggle against it, we fight to deny it; but it is of course a lie. Beneath our poised appearance we are completely out of control."

This isn't the first time free-will is called into question. When Neo goes to see the Oracle in the first film:

Oracle: I'd ask you to sit down, but, you're not going to anyway. And don't worry about the vase.
Neo: What vase?
[Neo turns to look for a vase, and as he does, he knocks over a vase of flowers, which shatters on the floor]
Oracle: That vase.
Neo: I'm sorry...
Oracle: I said don't worry about it. I'll get one of my kids to fix it.
Neo: How did you know?
Oracle: Ohh, what's really going to bake your noodle later on is, would you still have broken it if I hadn't said anything?

She also explains the sign hanging above her door which reads "Nosce te ipsum" (Know Thyself).

Things get really interesting when Neo meets the Architect. And don't forget everyone in the Matrix consists of code upon code, which is patently deterministic. They are unaware that they are slaves; and as Morpheus explains to Neo in the training program (with the girl in the red dress); "The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. "

This is Plato's Cave allegory; people like their ignorance. Later Cypher makes a deal with Agent Smith to be plugged back in to the Matrix:

Cypher: You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?
[Takes a bite of steak]
Cypher: Ignorance is bliss.

The movies are philosophical masterpieces. Worth multiple viewings to soak it all up.

Ironically, some commentors have said that the scene with the Merovingian is utterly pointless to the plot. Which serves to demonstrate how masterful the films are, people manage to ignore 90% of the film while marvelling at the cinematics. It is just as the Merovingian said it was "Soon the why and the reason are gone and all that matters is the feeling." Does anyone care why the movie had all that dialog about causation in it? Or were people just stricken by "bullet-time" and other cinematic innovations? I doubt the films would have gained popularity if they weren't visually "stunning". People would have been bored, having no interest in philosophy or truth.

Without the Buddhist mind-fuck AND the CGI pew pew pews' the films weight still measures up....and this guy's foley kicks ASS!

There is so much going on in these movies that just went over peoples heads.

Which is why shit like Transformers will make half a billion. "Robot go boom" is the intellectual level of most moviegoers these days.