FauxNixon

The Matrix: Revolutions is the final installment of the Wachowski brothers’ Matrix trilogy which, when viewed on its own merit is a remarkable action movie, but of very poor quality when considered in its proper role as the final episode of this modern epic. In Revolutions, which is set to take place immediately after the conclusion of The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition), Neo (Keanu Reeves) is in an apparent coma, having been imprisoned by a rogue program, somewhere between the Matrix and the computer network that lies outside of it. Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) must free Neo from his state of mental imprisonment so that Neo can rescue Zion from the imminent and massive attack from the machines that was only hours away in Reloaded. Smith (Hugo Weaving), the agent Neo destroyed in The Matrix, continues to gain power so that he begins to not only threaten the Matrix, but Zion and the machine civilization in the real world, as well. Neo is forced to make a series of important choices in how to best proceed so that evil is defeated, Zion is saved, and humanity is finally freed from its invisible state of bondage.

Written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, Revolutions unfortunately continues the disappointing trend begun in Reloaded where nicely mixed classical philosophy is blended with the modern world and the role of technology as a storyline, combined with amazing direction, innovative camera techniques, and wonderful coloring, is abandoned in favor of a painfully-lengthy series of very contrived fight scenes and little in the way of plot or philosophy. While the heavy use of special effects continues in Revolutions, their effect is to only enhance the action portrayed, rather than to help further the plot. Essentially, what the audience is left with is dependent upon what they expect from this movie. For those who wanted to see a grand capstone to the saga of Neo told in the same spirit as The Matrix there is only disappointment, as the Wachowski brothers have once again failed to capture the same energy, innovation, and intellectual appeal present in the original film, instead resorting to a weak plot and lots of special effects. For those who wanted to see a very good action movie, their expectations will be met, and likely exceeded. If the inconsistencies in plot, lack of intellectual content, clichéd dialog, and disappointing understanding of history (the machine city has its very own Maginot Line that worked so poorly for France during World War II) can be ignored, The Matrix: Revolutions may be enjoyed as nothing more than a remarkable action movie.

If these issues are the antithesis of what appealed to you about The Matrix, do not bother wasting your money to see this film in the theaters; wait for it to be released in video stores.