Video Reviews: 'Matrix Revolutions,' 'Cheaper By The Dozen'

'The Matrix Revolutions' (R) For whatever it's worth, the final installment of filmmaking brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski's "The Matrix" trilogy, "The Matrix Revolutions," is a much better film than its pretentious predecessor, "The Matrix Reloaded."

But given the fact that "Reloaded" was such a disappointing sequel to the 1999 original, that's not saying a lot. Sure, "Revolutions" is a great sci-fi action film as far as sci-fi action films go, but the simple truth is, "The Matrix" from 1999 is much more than a great sci-fi action film: it's a modern-day classic. So if you're going to do sequels, then they better be up to snuff -- and neither "Reloaded" or "Revolutions" are.

"Revolutions" has fallen so far from the brilliance of the original, if fact, that you feel like you're watching a run-of-the-mill action flick. Sure, maybe casual fans will dig the conventional thrills, but I can't help but think die-hards will be disappointed.

Unlike the first two "Matrix" films, "Revolutions" begins quietly, and the unusual tone is a bellwether for more unexpected things to come. When we first find Neo (Keanu Reeves) he's still in the comatose state he fell in at the conclusion of "Reloaded," but we discover he's actually stuck in limbo between the real world and the Matrix. Naturally, it's up to his lover, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and mentor, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), to get him out.

Once he's freed of his virtual prison, Neo struggles more than ever trying to figure out his role as a Christ-like figure that may or may not be "The One" who stops the war and frees his people from the Machine world. After one last visit for wisdom from The Oracle (Mary Alice, who is a wonderful replacement for the late Gloria Foster), Neo chooses to journey to the Machine world to complete his task as its army of Sentinels begins its ruthless attack on the underground world of Zion.

With Trinity in tow, there's an even bigger problem waiting in the wings for "The One": Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has grown from a rogue program to an entity that can destroy everything -- the Machine World included.

While "The Matrix Reloaded" relied heavily on action (punctuated by an exhaustive, yet entertaining freeway chase) throughout, "Revolutions" is surprisingly sparse of fireworks for the first hour. And when it does get going, it draws on its past glories with a scene similar to the spectacular lobby shoot-out from the first film.

But borrowing from your own ideas and being "inspired" by other films are two different things -- and that's where the cracks start to show in the "Matrix" universe. Simply put, it looks as though the Wachowskis were starting to run out of ideas.

The most obvious example of that is the hardware the rebels of Zion use to battle the Sentinels, which have a striking similarity to Sigourney Weaver's two-legged hydraulic forklift device from "Aliens." That's not to say the visuals aren't spectacular; in fact, the scene where countless Rebels fight throngs of the Sentinels ranks among the movie's best scenes.

The clincher, though, is an operatic, rain-drenched final confrontation between Neo and Smith that gets the adrenaline flowing. Sure, it employs the familiar martial arts techniques of the first two films, but the action, quite literally, is taken to a whole new level.

When it comes to quiet time, "Revolutions'" dialogue turns heavy-handed (fortunately, there's not nearly as much of it as in "Reloaded"). Reeves, Moss and Fishburne are mired in the low, rumbling, deathly serious dialogue, which is mostly devoid of any emotion. There's really only one notable instance between Reeves and Moss that gets the heart pumping faster.

Livening up the proceedings is Jada Pinkett Smith's Niobe and Nona Gaye's Zee, who sport some welcome attitude despite their weak romantic subplots with Morpheus and Link (Harold Perrineau Jr.), respectively. Weaving stands a head and shoulders above all, and is better than ever as the bad-guy-you-love-to-hate Smith.

In the end, "The Matrix Revolutions" is hardly revolutionary. It pains me to say that, considering how much I loved the first film. It's a sad thing to see that idea that turned up out of nowhere with a bang, end with such a whimper.

DVD Features: Like "Reloaded," the 2-disc set for "Revolutions" is loaded with extras, including several production documentaries; a breakdown of the multiple agent Smiths and Neo; a 3-D "Matrix" timeline, an introduction to a massive multi-player online game and more. (Warner Home Video).

'Cheaper By the Dozen' (PG) If you don't mind endless bits of slapstick and bratty kids, then the screwball family comedy "Cheaper By the Dozen" just may be your ticket. If not, then plan on pulling out dozens of hairs out of frustration as you struggle to get through this movie.

Inspired by the 1950 Clifton Webb movie of the same name, the updated "Cheaper By the Dozen" stars Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as Tom and Kate Baker, a rural Illinois couple who, through both design and accident, manage to have 12 children. Constantly struggling to make ends meet, the couple finally gets the break of their lives when Tom is offered a Division I coaching job in Chicago and Kate's book about their family -- called "Cheaper By the Dozen" finds a publisher.

However, Tom's big break requires him and Kate to uproot the family out of their comfortable confines -- a move largely unpopular with the kids. Worse yet, Kate's newfound success as an author requires her to travel on a promotional book tour, leaving Tom alone to take care of the kids and coach his football team at the same time.

There seems to be a method to the madness of "Cheaper by the Dozen," and that's to make the youngest of its audience members laugh at anything and everything, so the "cheap" laughs (there are gross-out jokes galore), for the lack of a better word, come at a fast and furious pace.

Naturally the movie works best when it concentrates on the adult members of the cast, like Martin and Hunt -- just because they're always so lovable to watch. But most of the kid cast members -- and we're talking the ones younger than the notable Tom Welling and Hilary Duff -- just come off as plain obnoxious. Fortunately, Piper Perabo brings order to the court as the oldest Baker child, and Ashton Kutcher is a scream as her air-headed narcissistic boyfriend.

DVD Features: Commentary by Perabo and select kid cast members; separate Audio commentary by director Shawn Levy; deleted and extended scenes and more. Also new on DVD: the 1950 version of "Cheaper by the Dozen" with Jeanne Crain and Myrna Loy and 1952's "Belles on their Toes," a "Cheaper" sequel without Webb. (All titles -- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment).