The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Writer: Lana Wachowski, David Mitchell, Aleksandar Hemon, Lily Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Jada Pinkett Smith, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Christina Ricci, Lambert Wilson
Reason for watching: a new Matrix movie has to be watched
Number of times I’ve watched it: first time viewing
***
Late-period sequels are never an easy task, especially when previous sequels to the original property are considered messy at best and misguided at worst. That is the task that lay ahead of director Lana Wachowski when she set out to make a third sequel to her and sister Lily’s sci-fi classic The Matrix. Former leads Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return, and we have some exciting newcomers to the franchise in Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, and Neil Patrick Harris. Yet the difficultly here does not lie with bringing back creative minds or casting great performers; it lies in how to both creatively and organically go back into the world of The Matrix and not compromise the quality of the original or love that fans have for the original. While I cannot speak for other fans of this franchise (trust me, I do not want to), I would say this movie delivers on both fronts.
The Matrix Resurrections takes place a number of decades from where we left off our heroes. Somehow Neo (Reeves) survived his ordeal fighting Agent Smith in The Matrix Revolutions and appears to live in the Matrix again. His therapist (Patrick Harris) helps him balance his life and tries to reinforce to Neo that the events of the previous films were just plot points in a successful video game that Neo created with his business partner (Groff). In addition, to being weighed down by the medication pushed by his therapist, Neo cannot seem to escape the idea that he knows this woman he keeps seeing in a coffee shop (Moss). When he finally meets an ellusive and well-dressed man named Morpheus (Abdul-Mateen II), Neo will learn the truth about his world and what lies beyond it.
Quick tangent: while I have spoiled some of the names and roles of certain characters in this movie, I would like to remind you all that these roles were listed online for at least the last few weeks on IMDb. So please do not hate me. Also I find the actual plot of this movie to be more of a spoiler than the casting choices were. Therefore, I will not discuss the plot of this movie any further. I care more about not spoiling this movie than I did about Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Back to the actual review, I love this cast. Keanue Reeves was born to play a character like Neo. His affectiations and mannerisms on screen convey someone that we all can project onto. Someone who is confused, afraid, and altogether curious about his role in this world; but at the same time a person who has strong convictions and motivations about what matters to him. Carrie-Anne Moss has always been the right yin to Reeves’ yang. She exudes confidence and strength while still drawing us in with her down-to-earth character and approachability.
The newcomers do great work here as well. I will never turn down an opprotunity to see Yahya-Abdul Mahteen II do work in a movie. He is a budding star with excellent charisma. Jessica Henwick gets a lot of fun action moments and dialgoue. Jonathan Groff’s brings a very unique performance to the movie that might be the only underwritten character, but he is still a quality actor. Perhaps most impressive is Neil Patrick Harris as Neo’s therapist. Again, I will not spoil this movie, but without Harris performance during some crucial scenes later on, this movie would not make a ton of sense. A lesser actor would not have been able to deliver on this role like him.
One of the most interesting aspects of this movie is how completely self-aware it is. From the very beginning there are in-jokes about the Matrix, the reception, the theories about what it means. Having nearly 20 years to conceive and write this movie has certainly given Lana Wachowski time to think about what her original creations mean to so many people. Usually having that much time would make a property grow stale, but I really do enjoy what is happening here. Some of the same themes such as fate versus choice still ring true and are capitalized on well here. The concept of believing in one’s self is still important and perhaps even more relevant in times we live in now. Honestly, I am quite impressed by this movie. Props to Wachowski, Reeves, Moss, the newcomers, and all the producers who took a shot on this movie. I really believe they have done something impressive here
8/10
Until I see another one.
PS - I am sorry this review is shorter than most. But honestly, I do not feel I can spoil this movie and I cannot really get into how much I love this movie without spoiling it.