Films: The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Alias: Squiddies

Type: Man-Made

Location: Civilized Area/Eldritch location

Height/Weight: That of large cars.

Affiliation: Evil

Summary: Ever feel like life just isn't right? That everything around you is fabricated and a little too orderly? Well, if there's anything diehard sci-fi fans will try and tell you, it's that we're actually in this constructed world crafted by guys who REALLY don't want us to interfere in the real world. And really, do you want to go out there. With those THINGS wandering the wasteland?

History: Long ago, humanity flipped its lid when the advanced machines it made demanded independence over economic use. After we literally blotted out the sun to cut off their power, the machines stomped us into paste. Now, they keep the remaining humans in a digital world known as the Matrix so that we can live comfortable lives while they pick off rebels. Leading the charge are the Sentinels, the hyper-advanced construction bots-turned super soldiers.

Notable Kills: Descend on a particularly brave mech-pilot like a swarm of metal locusts.

Final Fate: The machines, Sentinels included, very nearly get hoist by their own petard when one of their programs, the megalomaniacal Agent Smith, threatens to destroy them along with the rest of all life. It takes the heroic Neo to beat him, and in response, the machine "God", Deus Ex Machina, promises long-lasting peace, and the ability to leave the Matrix when we want to...uh, thanks? I guess?

Powers/Abilities: The Sentinels are very durable, and can cut down just about anything in seconds, especially in groups.

Weakness: Heavy artillery, EMP blasts, and the powers of the One (Neo).

Scariness Factor: 3.5-The CGI hasn’t aged the best, but that doesn't take away from how formidable and creepy the Sentinels are. Looking like demonic metal squids, these things make the folks at Skynet look like chumps. Then again, they were pretty generous, giving up a whole new life away from the wasteland we made. So...were they the bad guys?

Trivia: -This film trilogy, aside from being a benchmark for sci-fi, can also be thanked for popularizing the then-new DVD format, with the first film selling over a million copies of such.

-Originally, Will Smith was considered to play Neo, but not only was he going to humiliate himself with "Wild Wild West", he flat out admitted that he would probably torpedo the film's reputation.