Note: This review contains NO SPOILERS
When looking back at the 90's slate of action/Sci-Fi films, very few had the groundbreaking cinematic impact that The Matrix generated upon its initial 1999 release. Not only did it rewrite both genres for Hollywood, it presented audiences with new forms of filmmaking techniques that proved to be hugely influential. The same can't be said about the sequels that preceded it as both The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions failed to recapture the pop- culture impact of the original. Fast-forward to 2021, the franchise is resurrected with its fourth installment, The Matrix Resurrections, which aims to reinvigorate the series by bringing back key actors Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne-Moss in their iconic roles. The end result is a sequel that's equally as thrilling as it is confusing, though those who found disappointment in Revolutions climax will appreciate the stories continuation here.
Resurrections plot has Neo (Keanu Reeves) alive and no longer remembering his past as The One. While dealing with his anxiety, Neo begins to differentiate between the two realities with him once again following the white rabbit while yearning for Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). Resurrections positions itself as being a fresh restart for the series, while remaining connected to the original trilogy. It not only embraces the past but offers a new path forward, which attempts to recapture some of the series previous thunder. While doing so, Resurrections relies heavily on the nostalgia factor of the first to the point where certain aspects of it feel like a blatant redo, but with less thrilling results. The films greatest strength lies in the continuation of Neo and Trinity's arc with the slow rediscovering of their past being the stories true power. Though certainly not perfect, Resurrections contains enough excitement and twists to make it fairly enjoyable while encouraging them to take the Red Pill once more.
Resurrections cast deliver stellar work with Reeves and Moss making an ideal romantic duo, along with showcasing fantastic chemistry as past lovers reunified. Reeves gives one of his best performances here as an older Neo with him rediscovering his path as The One. The same can be said for Carrie-Anne-Moss, who still nails the part of Trinity with her channeling her characters toughness. The newest cast additions deliver hugely impressive work with Yahya Abdul-Mateen ll excelling as an alternate version of Morpheus. He does an admirable job of not only honoring Fishburne's work, but making the character his own. Jessica Henwick does a fine job as blue-haired gunslinger Bugs, whose a true believer in Neo. Jonathan Griff does well as Neo's former arch-nemesis Smith, though he never outdoes Hugo Weaving's original work. Neil Patrick Harris is fun to watch as The Analyst, creator of the current iteration of The Matrix masquerading as Neo's therapist. Other noteworthy performances include Priyanka Chopra Jones as an exile program Sati, and Jada Pinkett Smith reprising her role as an aging General Niobe from Revolutions. Although Fishburne and Weaving's presence are missed here, their successors prove to be appealing additions to the cast.
Returning to direct is Lana Wachowski, helmer of the previous three films. She presents some impressive shots and lighting here with breathtaking cinematography that gives the film an almost dream-like appearance. She continues the franchises heavy- effects driven style violence which consists of slow-motion shots, rapid gunfire, fight scenes including slick martial arts, explosions, a motorcycle chase that comes with a darkly comical twist involving characters plunging from high buildings and becoming "human bombs." Both the costume and set-designs are top-notch and add to the films visual flare. Given the films 148 minute running time, it remains relatively fast-paced while managing to avoid the pacing issues that plagued the previous sequels. With Lana's directing, she gives this film an appearance that's more visually striking than many of today's blockbuster films. The fight scenes however, come across as appearing painfully generic given the original films master choreographer ( Yuen Woo-ping) didn't return to work on this film with his absence being apparent upon watching them.
Resurrections writing, thankfully, feels a bit more restrained in its philosophical discussions compared to Reloaded and Revolutions. The plot plays as being a brutal satire that's aimed at greedy corporations and conniving marketers, who force Neo into crafting a new video game sequel that he has zero interest in making (Possibly serving as a metaphor for Lana Wachowski being pushed into making a Matrix 4 by the studio). The film relies heavily on previous entries for comfort with Wachowski incorporating clips from all three Matrix's whenever convenient. She also makes subtle references to the original like including a steak-eating scene with Neo in the fictional reality that serves as a callback to the first, or Bugs bearing a white bunny tattoo on her shoulder which brings everything back to the original. Resurrections further drives its connection to the past by reclaiming the whole red and blue pill scenario with Neo being handed the choice once again. Whereas these cleverly inserted references drive the nostalgia factor, they also make the story feel overly reliant on the past for comfort. Resurrections thrives in its attempts to establish mystery early on regarding what's real and what's not with the stories real suspense being Neo and Trinity slowly rediscovering their pasts while later fighting to be free. The Analyst, however, doesn't quite carry the same impact as Smith's character despite being designed to harbor the same understated malice that the latter expressed.
At it's core, the film is a love story and one that makes it feel the most personal of the series. Along with continuing the story from where Revolutions ended, it adds new twists including a key one during the films climax involving a rooftop that's bound to shock and divide fans. Resurrections doesn't reinvent the wheel nor recaptures the innovativeness of the original, but it possesses enough heart while reshaping ideas from the previous films to make it more than just a nostalgic-filled retread of the past. If nothing else, it's better than Revolutions.
Final Verdict: Fans of the series will find The Matrix Resurrections to be generally entertaining, though nothing will ever match or surpass the original classic.
Images Courtesy Of Warner Brothers
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