The Matrix Trilogy
Directors: The Wachowskis
Writers: The Wachowskis
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Lambert Wilson, Monica Bellucci, Harry Lennix, Jada Pinkett Smith, Harold Perrineau, Mary Alice, Ian Bliss, Collin Chou, Helmu Bakatis, Randall Duk Kim
Reason for watching: rewatching with Jane before the new Matrix comes out
Number of times I’ve watched it: at least five times each
***
What happens when you make the greatest sci-fi movie of a generation and then overcook the two sequels? You get a trilogy that has a cult following for the story as a whole and a reputation for being overly complicated.
With the new sequel coming out today on HBO Max, I figured it was time to go back and re-evaluate the first three Matrix movies. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by them on the whole. Of course, the first movie is still the best one. I mean I just called it the greatest sci-fi movie of a generation, and it might be better than that in the grand scheme of things. The idea of our world being a simulation is thought-provoking in such a unique way that it rewrites one’s entire view of life itself. With the ideologies of self-belief and world-building this movie does, it makes for some unique themes and settings as well. Perhaps the most under-rated part of the whole thing is the action scenes. The bullet-time effect and the kung-fu is awesome to watch. Plus the final battle between Agent Smith and Neo is really amazing as well.
On top of all that, Keanu Reeves is perfectly cast as Neo. His normal mood of coming off a little off works perfectly for a guy who has pulled into an entirely new world and is re-learning everything about himself. His delivery is perfect for so many of his lines; plus, he has so many iconic ones. The rest of the cast is excellent too. Laurence Fishburne does amazing as the motivational figure for Neo, and Carrie-Ann Moss is an excellent love interest with her own motivations and strengths as well. My favorite character of the entire trilogy has to be Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith, with his disillusioned tone and matter-of-fact speaking makes him a threatening and condescending foe.
The Matrix is a 10/10. No question.
***
The Matrix Reloaded is definitely a step down. Not for a lack of trying, but for overstuffing and making the plot a bit too complicated. Neo’s journey is still an interesting one and Smith’s change makes him even more frightening here. But by delving into the real world and its conflicts we get less time in the action-oriented world of the matrix itself. While it was important to establish what has happened to humanity and where our struggles lie, it takes us away from what made the first movie successful. Plus, the action in the sequel has significantly more special effects, and they are very noticeable. The fight scene on the freeway is a notable exception to this, and its one of the few true bright spots of this movie as well, but the awe-inspiring action of this set piece does not redeem the rest of this movie’s reliance of CGI.
While I do not absolutely hate the deep dive into the psychology of the messianic figures or the barely concealed conversation between choice and fate, how it is handled in the movie is so confusing that it cannot be immediately grasped with a single viewing. Matrix Reloaded’s take on these matters are certainly understandable, but they are basically shot at us out of a shotgun, too quick and handled to overtly to be properly digested right away. I do enjoy the additions of Lambert Wilson and Monica Bellucci as The Merovingian and Persephone, as well. They make for interesting supporting characters in their limited screen time. Overall, I think this movie grows on you with repeat viewings.
6/10
***
The Matrix Revolutions really feels like a third act on the whole. The entire movie is conflict. Neo fighting his way back to the matrix. Neo and Trinity fighting against Bane on their ship. The army of Zion fighting off the machine army. Neo and Trinity fighting off the machines on the surface. Niobe fighting off the sentinels that are attacking her ship. Finally, Neo and Smith fighting one last time for the fate of not on the Matrix but the real world as well. It is a nice change of pace from all of the college lectures that I felt I sat through in this movie’s predecessor. But I cannot help but shake the feeling that these two sequels could have been one movie if a few things had been cut out of both.
The most important part of this movie is the fight between Neo and Smith. And the scope and display of their power in the virtual world is awesome to watch. Their fights before had seemed intense, but this one cranks the nob to 11. Watching the two of them through each other through buildings and crater this world is still cool to watch, and the CGI actually holds up even to today’s standards. Neo’s revelation on how to beat Smith and the cycle of life is an interesting choice by the Wachowskis as directors, but it shows off the promise that they have.
6/10 as it really just is the final act of the last movie, and it is not that big of a quality jump even though it has less to do.
***
I do not think these movies are as flawed as they are made out to be by some folks. There really is a lot of thought and detail put into them and how they are constructed. Sure, they are a bit convoluted, but it is not like sci-fi can be any other way except convoluted. Think about it. Are not most successful sci-fi franchises a little too complicated and messy after the first few entries. That does not mean they cannot be good, but they lose a step along the way. Maybe someone can figure out the problem and really give us a great series of sci-fi films that do not bog themselves down. My money is on the new Dune movies, assuming we do get more than just the one we got this year.
Until I see another one.