I've always been curious why Agent Smith always calls Neo "Mr. Anderson" (except for the one time where the Oracle is supposedly in control of Smith's body in Revolutions). Any thoughts? The only thing I can think of, in keeping with the religious overtones of the movie, is that by calling him Neo, Smith would be accepting his existence as "the One", but by calling him by Mr. Anderson, he keeps with his aetheism. That's just my theory. What's yours?

Nothing too complicated going on here. As an Agent, Smith is programmed to address people in a formal manner.

Okay, but he does call Morpheus "Morpheus".

That may be because he doesn't know Morpheus' real name. Also, because "Mr. Lewandowski" isn't quite as cool.

Dude, ever see the first film?

Remember, Agent Smith met "Mr. Anderson" before he was jacked out of the matrix and then went by his hacker alias "Neo." I'm sure Agent Smith knew of his hacker alias, but would just rather call him Mr. Anderson.

That and Hugo Weaving sounds totally kick-ass when saying "Mr. Anderson."

Actually, when Smith calls him Neo at the end of the SuperBrawl, he says "I'm supposed to say something...everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo" and that's what clues Neo in that the Oracle has spoken through Smith and that pronouncement is what allows Neo to see that, while he could go on fighting Smith all day, he needs to let Smith try to assimilate him so that he'll be able to destroy Smith from within. By the Oracle (within Smith) calling Neo "Neo", it's the signal that turns the whole confrontation around. It's a very subtle point that many people miss on their first viewing of the film.

He calls Cypher by his real name in the first film.

Mr. Reagan.

What I want to know is how the heck Cypher got in and out of the Matrix without the aid of an Operator (or at least another traitor who knew more or less how to operate those brain plug things) in order to have his secret meeting with Agent Smith.

• Quoth Patman •<HR SIZE=1>Actually, when Smith calls him Neo at the end of the SuperBrawl, he says "I'm supposed to say something...everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo" and that's what clues Neo in that the Oracle has spoken through Smith and that pronouncement is what allows Neo to see that, while he could go on fighting Smith all day, he needs to let Smith try to assimilate him so that he'll be able to destroy Smith from within. By the Oracle (within Smith) calling Neo "Neo", it's the signal that turns the whole confrontation around. It's a very subtle point that many people miss on their first viewing of the film. <HR SIZE=1>

Did you even read his post?

Anyway, as others have said, I always assumed it was because he had already known Neo as "Mr. Anderson." After that, it was his way of establishing an aggressive position by not acknowleding "Neo."

das

That was meant to be subtle? Oh. Wow.

In an earlier scene (right before?) we see Cypher at the operator's board. He then quickly shuts off what he's doing when Neo walks in. This was Cypher setting up to jack in.

As for getting out, I assume he had some prescripted macro ready that would call him so he could get out. I don't think an operator is required for jacking in/out, although it'd probably be suicide for someone to try sans operator, unless they're meating with the enemy, and thus not in any likely danger.

At the end of the first movie, Neo says defiantly "My name is Neo!" I think Smith says it to annoy Neo. There is always a somewhat sarcastic tone when he says "Mr. Anderson"

There is one other time where Smith uses "Neo", it's at the start of Reloaded where he knocks on the door and ask the guy answering the door "I'm looking for Neo" (paraphrased from memory) and gives the door guy the manilla envelope containing his earpiece to give to Neo.

I've seen this film 4 times in the theater, and each time I picked up stuff that is there, but unless you can "quiet you mind", you don't necessary grok the significance of a turn of phrase and other little subtle things that add to the confrontations, but don't seem to upon the initial viewing. I like the details the Wachowski brothers put into this trilogy.

I've always noticed that bit when Neo and Cypher were talking. My problem was having to plug yourself. In the film it looks really painful and they're always strapped into the chair (look at the locks for their feet) and someone holds them as he/she puts the plugintothe back of the head. But your macro comment does make some sense of it. It still bugs me that he must have put the cable in and taken it out on his own.

• Quoth Groucho •<HR SIZE=1>That was meant to be subtle? Oh. Wow. <HR SIZE=1>

Agreed. Most of the things I keep seeing described as "subtle" were pretty straight-forward plot points. Just because they burried much of the plot under a lot of vague philosophical mumbo-jumbo doesn't make it subtle, simply bogged down. It's as if bogging the "point" of the franchise down with all this stuff is supposed to fool us into believing it's a better film than it is.

Btw, at work, we've started having impromptu "Matrix Conversations."

Good morning.
I knew you would be here. Are you prepared?
You already know the answer to that.
Yes, but it is still your choice.
I choose to make a choice.
Do you?
I have always chosen my choice.
I know. I have always known.

Good times ...

das

Also how did no one on the ship notice Cypher plugged in?