The Matrix Resurrections Review

 

        It’s been 18 years since The Matrix popped into the public conscience. During that span, The Wachowskis had a roller coaster of a filmography. Most of the films they’d directed were bombs and disappointments. They were adamant not to touch the franchise that put them on the map, since Warner Bros. wanted to make more without the duo. Inevitably, one of the Wachowskis, Lana, returns along with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the new chapter. And if you really waited a decade for more Matrix, well, here’s what I think.  

1. Why Did We Need Another Matrix Movie?

        With all that out of the way, did audiences really need another entry? I’m serious, it makes as much sense as making a Zoolander movie years after the first film. Or making a Blues Brothers movie 20 years after the original. This is kind of perplexing since I never understand why a studio would make a sequel years later. I can understand that it could be a passing of a torch film like Creed, but it must be done right. 

        So what’s the film about, well to make it easier for you, remember those moments of Neo thinking he was a human and then meeting a group of characters telling him that he’s just a battery for machines? Well it’s that, but with a new character named Bugs. She’s been tasked to get Neo, who’s now a video game developer, to help her stop the machines. With help of an actor who doesn’t look like Morpheus. Who’s now an Agent, but he isn’t. It’s confusing and I really could care less.

        And it’s from there that something seems off about the whole thing. Just tracking the entire story is a challenge. It’s inferred that it’s been decades since we last saw Neo saving the Matrix. Only this time the machines brought him back, hence the subtitle of the movie. And the machines are friendly, and like a lot of stuff that could’ve been explored but it’s just relegated to background. Such as the Architect looking like Neal Patrick Harris.

        Part of the movie is just a retread of what I’ve seen prior. But the twist is that it’s mostly commentary of what’s expected. It’s called being “meta”, meaning that the film is self-aware and makes commentary of what’s happening. I’ll elaborate more on the subject, but I feel that the main problem with the film is that it’s the same movie story wise. Having Neo now back to where he was as unaware that he’s in a simulation. Meets a mysterious sunglasses wearing man giving him the choice to pick the red pill or enjoy living life.

2. The Meta Aspect

        The main part of the movie is that it utilizes Meta as a storytelling device and as nostalgia for the fans. One point where it’s utilized is when we follow Neo as a game developer. We have a montage of a focus group of fans talking about how great and “complex” The Matrix was. Not the movies, in the film the whole series is referenced as a video game. 

        It doesn’t work since it went about it the wrong way. The opening is meta in a sense where it gives the viewers a “Psyche” moment where it plays out like the first movie. Then we follow Neo as a developer being prescribed blue pills. The whole film would’ve been better had it been done with a whole new cast. Like, we have new versions of Morpheus, Agent Smith, and the Architect. But they aren’t as memorable since they don’t have the uniqueness and mystery thing about them. Different actors portray them, but they just don’t have the same charisma as we’ve seen them in the prior films. 

        Just watching the whole movie makes me want to rewatch the original. The fights, setting, everything about it was easily watchable since we follow a regular guy descend into a rabbit hole of life altering events. Here though, it’s the same thing, but rescuing an important character. Even the combat isn’t that good, which is ironic since the choreographer David Leitch appears in the film. And for those who don’t know his work, he’s responsible for the John Wick series. 

 

3. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” Did It Better

        It’s a bit of a stretch that I’m bringing a completely different film, but they did come close to release and share some aspects. Such as bringing back an original hero and having moments of nostalgia. The only reason why Spider-Man did it better was that it didn’t feel forced. It took it’s time and introduced the prior Spider-Men to help the current Spidey. In this movie, various clips are shown to Neo as a refresher to what has happened. 

        Even moments that are literally from the first film appear in this film. I hate to sound like a broken record since it just doesn’t work. Since there aren’t any stakes whatsoever for Neo to comeback and be the one. No saving of the resistance or stopping Agent Smith, who looks different, from wreaking vengeance. It’s just boring to watch since I’ve seen the film happen plot wise, and none of the characters aren’t interesting in the least bit. 

4. I’m Done

        This franchise needs to be retired before Warner Bros. has any idea to make more sequels and just ruin an already battered film series. It’s just unfortunate that the movie could’ve had a different cast and have Neo pop up as an old guide to pass the torch to the next hero. Instead, it’s a story that is just all over the place. Like, it’s interconnected as a highway and any viewer can get lost. 

        I did read that there aren’t any sequels being planned. Since of course the movie bombed because nobody cares about The Matrix. The reason why Spider-Man grossed a billion is that it’s an escapist film that did the impossible and bring in the prior heroes. Matrix Resurrections is a film that is too dated plot wise and it doesn’t do anything differently, in spite of everything being different.

5. Overall

        Just watch the first film.