The Matrix: Revolutions

Release Date: November 5, 2003
(Theatrical & IMAX release)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski 
Screenwriter: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Daniel Bernhardt, Jada Pinkett Smith, Matt McColm, Harold Perrineau Jr., Harry Lennix, Stuart Wells
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content)
Official Website: WhatistheMatrix.WarnerBros.com

Plot Summary: In "The Matrix Revolutions," the final chapter in the "Matrix" trilogy, the rebels' long quest for freedom culminates in a final explosive battle. As the Machine Army wages devastation on Zion, its citizens mount an aggressive defense -- but can they stave off the relentless swarm of Sentinels long enough for Neo to harness the full extent of his powers and end the war?

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Reviewed by John Barker © 2003
- Almost phony baloney

After the disappointment of The Matrix Reloaded the general viewing public had a lot of hope for this final part of this multi-media revolution but their faith is wasted as directors the Wachowski Brothers have managed to turn their finally tuned science fiction vehicle into a rusty old banger.

Narratively speaking Revolutions ties up most of the lose ends left by the second film as Neo, (Keanu Reeves), carries on his quest to deconstruct the Matrix and free mankind from the hold of the machines that have encased them in biological and psychological prisons. The much anticipated invasion of Zion occurs as the machine’s drills finally reach the centre of the earth and penetrate the last human city and of course there is the requisite large battle which will decide the fate of humanity. These sequences never fail to impress but are hardly a cut above the usual Hollywood humdrum.

The philosophy, which formed such a large and intelligible part of the first film, is played down in place of raw humanism, which I’m sure some critics would applaud. But I feel that this humanism is misplaced and the blend of Baudrillard and ballistic action that made the first film a success is lost somewhere in either the directors response to criticism of over pretentiousness or the fact that the more subtle nuances of the original were missed by large numbers of the spectators. It is easy to see that the Wachowski’s have moulded a story that would try and satisfy everyone but in fact leaves all concerned short.

The Matrix Reloaded showcased a fantastic car chase, which will surely be recognised as one of the best scenes of automotive kineticism in film history. It’s sequel hardly manages to get the heart beat racing above normal levels as the best they can muster is a mid-air fight between Neo and Smith, (Hugo Weaving). For the fans of the infamous lobby scene in the first film, (which was wrongly accused of inspiring the Columbine Massacre), there is a effortless shootout in which both the antagonists and the protagonists both climb walls and walk across the ceiling firing all manner of fetishistic hardware. Unfortunately this kind of scene is all too short and sweet and never exploited to its full potential.

The wonderful set design and decoration created by comic artist Geoff Darrow is as detailed and obsessive as it was in the first film. Although not much more of Zion is unveiled it still remains a believable and dense environment in which our characters fight and die for their cause.

It is unfortunate that the audience probably cares little about the death of so many of the recently introduced characters as the script barely gives each new addition time to ferment. The knock on effect of this is that while the battle against the machines in Zion is a vísual spectacle, it cannot be helped but said that some of the over ingratiating masculine dialogue is difficult to shallow without thinking of better examples in various war films.

Figures like the Kid, who appeared in the Animatrix short film named after the character, probably should have stayed in the realm of 2D. His belated role in the two sequels is nothing more than a token for younger viewers who fail to connect with the more mature characteristics of Neo and Morpheus, (Laurence Fishburne. The main trio of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss and Laurence Fishburne hardly build on their characters although it has to be said that however much critics will call him ‘Cardboard Keanu’ he still fits the part perfectly.

In conclusion, I have noted else where the importance of this trilogy in relation to multi-media methods of spectatorship, but I cannot idly stand back and give a film that could and should have been a fitting finale to a great story a good review. Instead I must state that this is of the standard of Godfather Part III and Alien 3. All of these films could have been masterpieces but instead of genius we get genitals.

The Matrix: Revolutions
If you can beat the 'Enter the Matrix' videogame, you're rewarded with a special teaser of this final movie made especially for the game. Or, you can go over to ComingSoon.net and watch the teaser