The Matrix Resurrections

Weirdly meta and surprisingly funny. About 30-45 min too long but still enjoyable. Recommend going to the theater, I would’ve been bored on the couch

Written and directed by literally any Boomer who just got on Reddit for the 1st time

This movie takes the original movies and shit all over it. There are many problems both subjectively as a movie and as a fan of the original matrix’s it makes me want to vomit. If you want to watch 2 1/2 hours of a Solis cash grab this is the movie for you.2.3/10

The Matrix Resurrections, co-produced, co-written, and directed by Lana Wachowski, arrived nearly two decades after The Matrix Revolutions, promising a continuation of the groundbreaking sci-fi saga. The fourth installment in The Matrix film series, it brings back Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, now living seemingly ordinary lives with suppressed memories in a new iteration of the Matrix. My initial reaction was one of immense curiosity and guarded optimism, wondering how the Wachowskis (or, in this case, Lana) would revive such a culturally impactful franchise. My overall impression is that The Matrix Resurrections is a highly self-aware and ambitious, yet ultimately convoluted and tonally inconsistent film that struggles to justify its existence while simultaneously critiquing its own legacy, leaving a muddled but intriguing impression.

Rating:
6.4/10 ⭐️ (★★★ - Good)
A good rating for a film that features strong lead performances and intriguing meta-commentary, but is hampered by a messy narrative, underdeveloped new characters, and a frustratingly inconsistent execution.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The film's most intriguing aspect is its meta-commentary on its own existence, serving as a direct sequel that questions the very nature of reboots and nostalgia. The premise of Neo being reinserted into a new Matrix with his memories suppressed, now as a video game developer responsible for the "Matrix" trilogy within the film, is a clever and thought-provoking concept. The narrative explores themes of choice, reality vs. illusion, love as a driving force, and the struggle against systemic control, all core to the franchise. The focus on Neo and Trinity's enduring love story is a strong emotional anchor.
* Characters (Strengths): Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss effortlessly slip back into their iconic roles as Neo and Trinity. Their chemistry remains palpable, and their love story is truly the emotional heart that powers the film. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a charismatic performance as a program embodying traits of the original Morpheus and Agent Smith, offering a fresh take on beloved characters. Jonathan Groff is delightfully menacing and theatrical as the new Smith, and Neil Patrick Harris is chillingly effective as the manipulative Analyst. Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Sati and Jada Pinkett Smith as an aged Niobe provide welcome continuity.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Lana Wachowski's direction is visually distinctive, maintaining a sense of the Matrix aesthetic while incorporating new visual effects techniques. The action sequences, while less frequent and kinetic than the originals, are often well-choreographed and impactful. The film showcases some creative ideas in its depiction of the new Matrix and the machine world. The dialogue editing and sound mixing contribute to a polished experience.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The visual effects are impressive, bringing the new iteration of the Matrix and its various powers to life with high fidelity. The unique camera systems developed for the film to create "offset" space and time effects are innovative. The choice to record sound mixing at the "Rainbow Stage" (Stage 20) at Studio Babelsberg is a nice touch, honoring the Wachowskis' legacy. Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer's score effectively blends new compositions with familiar motifs, and the strategic use of classic songs like "White Rabbit" and new covers of "Wake Up" add to the film's unique auditory experience.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: For fans deeply invested in The Matrix universe, the film offers a fascinating, albeit often frustrating, meta-commentary on its own legacy. The reunion of Neo and Trinity is genuinely heartwarming, and their love story provides much of the film's emotional pull. The film's ambition and willingness to challenge audience expectations can be engaging for those open to its experimental nature.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): The plot quickly becomes convoluted and messy, struggling to balance its meta-commentary with a coherent action narrative. The explanations for Neo and Trinity's return and the nature of the new Matrix are overly complex and feel more like retcons than natural progressions. The "rebels" and their motivations are underdeveloped, making it hard to care about the broader fight. The film's pacing is uneven, often dwelling on exposition and dialogue at the expense of consistent action or dramatic momentum. The explicit self-referential humor, while sometimes clever, often veers into heavy-handedness, becoming a distraction.
* Characters (Weaknesses): While the returning characters are strong, many of the new rebel characters, including Bugs (Jessica Henwick), are underdeveloped and lack the charisma or depth to truly carry the narrative weight. Their primary function feels like exposition delivery, and their motivations are often vague. The villains, particularly the Analyst, are compelling but the numerous other antagonists (like the reloaded agents) feel less threatening than in previous films.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Weaknesses): Lana Wachowski's direction, while ambitious, leads to a tonally inconsistent film. The action sequences, while occasionally striking, are fewer and far between, and often lack the precise choreography and visceral impact of the original trilogy. The film relies heavily on nostalgia, with frequent flashbacks to the original films, which can feel less like homage and more like a crutch. The visual effects, while technically impressive, sometimes lack the groundbreaking artistry seen in the earlier films.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The film's convoluted plot, inconsistent tone, and perceived lack of groundbreaking new ideas (beyond its meta-commentary) can lead to significant frustration and disengagement for viewers, especially those expecting a direct continuation of the original trilogy's action and philosophical depth. The pacing issues, combined with often confusing exposition, make it a challenging watch.

The Verdict:
The Matrix Resurrections is a bold, highly self-aware, and often perplexing continuation of a beloved and influential franchise. While it benefits immensely from the iconic reunion of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, whose palpable chemistry remains the film's strongest asset, its overly convoluted narrative, underdeveloped new characters, and inconsistent tone ultimately make it a muddled viewing experience. Lana Wachowski attempts to deliver both a love story and a meta-commentary on franchise revivals, but the execution often feels messy. Recommended for die-hard fans of The Matrix who are willing to embrace its experimental and flawed nature, but it falls far short of the original trilogy's groundbreaking impact.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is primarily a science fiction action film, but it also delves heavily into meta-commentary, romantic drama, and philosophical inquiry. Its tone is highly inconsistent, oscillating between sincere emotion, sharp satire, and baffling absurdity.
* Target Audience: It primarily targets existing fans of The Matrix franchise who are deeply invested in its lore and characters, rather than attracting a new, broad audience.
* Originality & Innovation: The film's originality lies in its bold meta-narrative, directly critiquing its own existence as a sequel/reboot. However, its overall plot structure and action sequences often feel less innovative than its predecessors. The use of volumetric capture and unique camera systems for visual effects represents technical innovation.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film explores themes of free will vs. control, the nature of reality in a digital age, the power of love and connection, the commercialization of art and nostalgia, and the struggle to break free from comfortable illusions. It explicitly critiques corporate demands for franchise revival.
* Comparison to Other Films: It inevitably invites constant comparison to the original Matrix trilogy, particularly the first film. It stands as a divisive entry that struggles to match the philosophical depth, groundbreaking action, or narrative clarity of its predecessors, while attempting to comment on the nature of modern Hollywood franchises.

i liked it. i rly liked seeing neo and trinity together.

4/26/25

worst ever