[Rating: Swiss Fist]
In theaters now and streaming on HBOMax.
In 1999, The Wachowskis revolutionized the science fiction genre with the release of The Matrix. With its influences of martial arts, anime, and cyberpunk, it created a loyal fanbase over the last two decades that followed every sequel, comic book, and video game created from its world.
Now, the story continues with the release of The Matrix Resurrections. Thomas Anderson/Neo (Keanu Reeves) is back, trying to survive and decide which world he belongs in… which one is his true reality.
In his determination of what is physical reality versus mental fabrication, he runs into someone who looks like his former love, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). There’s attraction despite a lack of familiarity. The movie tries to blend the acquaintance of these two characters and what they shared in the past in equal parts with a new generation of characters (Jessica Henwick, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas). The dynamic between the new characters and Neo borders on fascination at times but each character plays their roles with passable performances. Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff add to the cast as Thomas’s therapist and business partner, respectively.
The one word that I would use to describe this film is meta. It is so focused on being self-aware of itself. There are so many callbacks to the three previous films that you probably don’t need to rewatch them if you’ve seen them before. If you’ve only seen the first movie, that should be sufficient to be relevant watching this one.
The problem with the film is the screenplay. It seems like it was written as more of a money grab than a continuation of a story. It will be appealing to the super fans because there is enough there to entertain. But for the majority of the movie-going audience, this sci-fi action film may seem trivial to them. Keeping in mind that there’s been an entire generation of movie-goers since 2003’s The Matrix Revolutions was on screen, it may not play as the “greatest hits” compilation that it will for older patrons.
The Matrix Resurrections is definitely one for the fanboys who tend to be more forgiving to an entry into a franchise they adore. They will understand the purpose and meaning of the plot because unfortunately, it clearly isn’t there for the average consumer. I can predict mixed reactions to this release. I will watch this one again, at home this time on HBOMax. I think that’s the place most people will experience this latest entry into the world of The Matrix code.
KB is a native New Yorker/Midwest transplant who’s into tech, sports, and the arts, especially film and music. He still aspires to be a DJ in his other life. You can frequently catch him watching Hitchcock classics, film noir, and anything Star Wars.
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