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The Matrix Resurrections
(Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
In 1999, “The Matrix” became a game-changer in science fiction earning global fan loyalty through two sequels, animated shorts and video games. But while the franchise laid dormant for about a decade and a half, we can already see the philosophies and concepts of this universe started to be fully realized through the rise of AI and social media. Now comes “The Matrix Resurrections,” which is not only a late holiday surprise, but a chance to rediscover this world in a different kind of storytelling engine. The movie is directed by Lana Wachowski, who along with sister Lilly originally created the first film before laying the foundation for the entirety of this franchise.
Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is a successful video game programmer under pressure from his boss (Jonathan Groff) to develop the latest title in his popular Matrix series. But the pressure also has him experiencing hallucinations and questioning the reality of the world around him. His psychoanalyst (Neil Patrick Harris) suggests better control of his thinking with the help of prescribed blue pills. Then a chance meeting with the mysterious Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) gives Mr. Anderson a choice to finally free his mind.
Once he takes the red pill, Neo is back in the real world that has changed some sixty years after the last war of Zion. General Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) introduces him to the paradise city of IO where humans and machines can co-exist. However, Neo knows that if he’s alive, then so is Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) who’s still in the Matrix living life as a married mother of two. With the help of warrior Bugs (Jessica Henwick) and her crew, he’ll have to go back to the virtual world to save the woman he loves.
In the most unusual way of writing a sequel, Wachowski chose to re-tell Neo’s journey from a meta standpoint with some supporting characters commenting on the action. This film also uses footage from the previous trilogy as a way to create flashbacks and callbacks to further the plot. It’s probably the director’s way to satirize both the gaming and filmmaking industries as well as the fandom that follows. The end result is very amusing, but it’s something that fans of the movies weren’t expecting, nor would they want in a new adventure. Not to mention, the overabundance of flashback clips can be distracting some of the time.
But if you’re OK with the story, then you’ll enjoy the movie for its action and its many twists and turns. The Bullet Time and kung fu action is exactly what you can expect from a Matrix movie, with Neo displaying his God-like abilities. There’re also some interesting twists on the different concepts, settings, and characters established previously. Although with franchise stalwarts Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving missing from the cast, it feels less like a true sequel and more like a small extension of the trilogy.
It’s fun seeing Reeves back in the role of Neo, toying his character’s split personality between regular guy and powerful hero. Moss is also great returning as Trinity, and her scenes with Reeves prove they still have great chemistry. Both Harris and Groff bring personality to their villainous roles, but again, Weaving feels greatly missed. Mateen II makes a pretty good Morpheus, while Smith makes a fine return in her role with ridiculous old age makeup. Henwick and the rest of the supporting cast have fine introductions and could be mainstays if another Matrix movie happens.
For all its issues, “The Matrix Resurrections” justifies its existence with great action and interesting twists. It may not be the grand franchise return that anyone was asking for, but it’s not disappointing either.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for violence and some language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
