Anyone who has seen, understood, and remembered all of the following: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and Digimon (the TV show) Seasons 1, 2, and 3, should already have recognized some of the similarities and differences between Digimon and The Matrix Reloaded. I just felt I had to write something because I was amazed at how much my favorite movie and my favorite TV show have in common. Of course, it's not the action that's the same (although both have plenty of it), but the concepts and sort of the story line.
First of all, The Matrix Reloaded begins just like one of those good Digimon episodes that aren't understandable unless you've seen the previous part of the story. Jumping straight into both, it may be possible to follow what's going on, but without seeing enough previous episodes as in Digimon, or without seeing the first movie, The Matrix, why and/or how everything is happening or occurring won't be understandable. I think part of what makes The Matrix Reloaded and some episodes of Digimon so good is that the writers can just build on a story that is already there. They expect people to know the background and understand what's going on based on their previous knowledge gained from what they have already watched. Of course, points of view can change once more information is given.
Secondly, the key to understanding a large chunk of both stories lies in the understanding of the two worlds within each story. (Trying to explain how the four worlds are similar and different is difficult, so it is easier just to explain what the two worlds in each story represent.) In Digimon there is a digital world which is the world inside the internet, and the real world which is the world we live in. In The Matrix there is the matrix and the real world. The matrix is a computer program (so it's 0's and 1's like the digital world), but it represents the world we live in. The real world is a reality outside our own, and therefore does not symbolize anything in our reality. I think it's funny that the matrix and the digital world have so much in common since they represent different things. I found myself applying what I learned about the digital world to the matrix, and now I think there is probably only two main concepts which makes them similar. One is that 'belief is reality' as I learned in season 3. (When I say 'I learned' I mean that I got into that state of mind, so that I could fully understand what was going on and enjoy the show) The other is the idea Izzy mentioned in season one that they probably are physically linked to their other selves while in the Digital World, and they have to be just as careful because "What happens here" "happens there." If Izzy were talking about the matrix to the real world as defined in The Matrix his theory would be correct. I could also apply the concept I learned in Digimon about Digimon being more than just data, but living creatures. Of course, there are no Digimon in the matrix because the matrix is parallel to our real world, but some people inside the matrix are linked to their real selves in the real world if the real world is real. Which reminds me that in season 3 of Digimon they redefined the term 'real.'
Thirdly, both have long periods of talking that twists my brain. As of now, while I'm writing this, I have only seen The Matrix Reloaded once (I won't ever change this message, for I am writing this now, not later), and I definitely want to see it in a theater again! Like the many times in Digimon, The Matrix Reloaded twisted my brain at one point, but unlike some experiences I've had in Digimon there wasn't a point in The Matrix Reloaded where, while paying attention, I felt like I had lost comprehension of what was said. After the movie the person next to me said that she didn't understand the whole conversation between Neo and someone else. She said it was too fast for her, and I was surprised. I thought "wow, just another similarity to Digimon", and figured that the only reason it wasn't too fast for me was because I had had so much practice watching Digimon, for there have been many times in Digimon where I wanted to tell the television, "Wait a minute. Slow down. You're going to fast." On Digimon it was too much information at once, and I had to watch the episode over and over again until finally all the information sunk in. I had no experience like this whatsoever, watching The Matrix Reloaded, but apparently someone else did. I figure that I've become so accustomed to concentrating to what is said when I watch Digimon, especially in those long informative conversations, that listening to and comprehending another brain twisting conversation wasn't difficult for me. I'd say some of the conversations in The Matrix Reloaded remind me of some of the conversations in Digimon in which Azulongmon, Genni, Shibumi, and Izzy are the main speakers because I was left with about the same feeling after hearing them.
Last of all, both delay giving certain information. In both I only know and understand as much as the main character(s) understand(s). At the moment, there's not much more to say. I know The Matrix Reloaded is rated R and don't encourage anyone who is not old enough to see R-rated movies to see it. I hated the beginning of The Matrix because it grossed me out, but The Matrix Reloaded was better than any other movie I've seen. It even ended like most episodes of Digimon. The story isn't over yet, but of course everyone knows that because it's a Trilogy.
P.S. The Matrix Reloaded has now set a record for me as the first and only movie (as of now) that I've seen more than once in the theaters. I've seen it 3 times times now in theathers, the last time 'in Imax.' I loved the 3rd time better than the second, and had no idea how they could possibly out do Reloaded in Revolutions; but Revolutions ties in the past just like a digimon ending. It has an awsome ending if you understand it, and http://wylfing.net/essays/ has an awsome explaination of the plot.
Digimon Back to main Pokemon
Other long explanations: Digimon vs Pokemon Why I like Digimon