Reel Review Roundup

The Matrix Resurrections (MA)

Directed by: Lana Wachowski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Review by: Julian Wright

Take a deep breathe and dive in because in the grand tradition of The Matrix movies, be prepared to be left both baffled and in awe.

While struggling with his mental health, video game designer Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is forced to revisit the revolutionary hit game trilogy The Matrix he created several years ago.

But his grasp on reality is beginning to slip.

There is already so much genius at play in the establishing scenes of Resurrections, much along the lines of Wes Craven’s New Nightmare – the meta, self-referential set-up, the commentary on brand revival and market research based decision making over creativity. In doing so, co-creator Lana Wachowski takes explicit swipes at Warner Bros, the studio behind this brand resurrection, who were purportedly going to go ahead with a fourth film without the Wachowskis’ input.

Lana is boldly unwilling to pander to the fans with a boring rehash for the sake of some cash and a hit of nostalgia, instead taking this opportunity to take control over her creation and use it to explore some life altering events that have happened to her since the last Matrix film was made.

Be warned, Resurrections gets dense. The more the characters talk, the more ideas are raised and explored, and at times it can be tricky to juggle them all at the same time. This is the only thing that Resurrections is consistent with in regards to the rest of the franchise.

While the action sequences are satisfying, there is nothing that could be considered iconic, like the original two films (Trinity’s introduction, the freeway chase sequences). In fact, this seems to be the part that Lana is the least bit interested in. Her focus here is to give you time and space to ponder her thesis and amp up the sincerity of the love story.

As per the previous films, the scenes set in Zion are the least invigorating, where the chit chat slows the pace down. But it isn’t even just a thirst for action that makes these sequences drag, it is a space in which possibilities are limited. Exploring the Matrix is such a thrilling experience because almost anything can happen there.

The Matrix Resurrections will not be the long awaited rehash sequel that fans have been clambering for – but what we have been given is the gift of one of the most inventive, thought provoking and personal big budget blockbuster films in existence.

This entry was posted on December 31, 2021 at 2:51 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.