Review: Third 'Matrix' Good, But Hardly Revolutionary
Film Is Better Than Second, But Much Weaker Than Original
POSTED: 12:32 a.m. EST November 5, 2003
'The Matrix Revolutions' (R) 
(out of four)
For whatever its 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 an underwhelming 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.
On the other hand, "Revolutions" feels devolved at times in comparison to its brilliant original. At times, in fact, you feel like you're watching cookie-cutter action sequences with overcooked buddy-movie dialogue. 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. The first bit of action, in fact, feels like a rehash of the spectacular lobby shoot-out scene from the first film.
The remainder of the action in the film feels a bit fresher from a "Matrix" perspective (there's no bullet-dodging or meaningless Zion dance rituals/sex scenes between Neo and Trinity), but seems to borrow its inspiration from other sci-fi classics.
Most obvious 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). Mired in the low rumbling deathly serious dialogue are Reeves, Moss and Fishburne, and sadly, it's mostly devoid of any emotion. There's really only one notably 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.
While the Wachowskis won't quite earn the praise they got from the first film, they should be commended for making some moves in "Revolutions" that fly in the face of happy Hollywood convention. Whether their moves will be unpopular with fans or not is yet to be seen. A large part of it depends on how seriously they've embraced the film's quasi-religious values.
You have to admit, it's exciting when film has the power to inspire such deep thoughts. And while parts two and three of "The Matrix" trilogy left more to be desired -- as a whole, you can't deny "The Matrix" has been one amazing, and yes, mind-freeing movie experience.
(out of four)
For whatever its 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 an underwhelming 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.
On the other hand, "Revolutions" feels devolved at times in comparison to its brilliant original. At times, in fact, you feel like you're watching cookie-cutter action sequences with overcooked buddy-movie dialogue. 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. The first bit of action, in fact, feels like a rehash of the spectacular lobby shoot-out scene from the first film.
The remainder of the action in the film feels a bit fresher from a "Matrix" perspective (there's no bullet-dodging or meaningless Zion dance rituals/sex scenes between Neo and Trinity), but seems to borrow its inspiration from other sci-fi classics.
Most obvious 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). Mired in the low rumbling deathly serious dialogue are Reeves, Moss and Fishburne, and sadly, it's mostly devoid of any emotion. There's really only one notably 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.
While the Wachowskis won't quite earn the praise they got from the first film, they should be commended for making some moves in "Revolutions" that fly in the face of happy Hollywood convention. Whether their moves will be unpopular with fans or not is yet to be seen. A large part of it depends on how seriously they've embraced the film's quasi-religious values.
You have to admit, it's exciting when film has the power to inspire such deep thoughts. And while parts two and three of "The Matrix" trilogy left more to be desired -- as a whole, you can't deny "The Matrix" has been one amazing, and yes, mind-freeing movie experience.Copyright 2003 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
