The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Everything that has a beginning has an end
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Mary Alice, Tanveer Atwal, Monica Bellucci, Ian Oliss, Collin Chou, Nona Gaye, Lachy Hulme, Nathaniel Lees, Harry Lennix, Harold Perrineau, Bruce Spence
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Running Time: 129 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
If making a whopping amount of cash at the box office is the primary criterion when it comes to judging what makes a good film these days, then we can already consider 'The Matrix Revolutions' as a rip-roaring success. Such is the cult following of this series of movies, that we can rest assured this third and purportedly final instalment of the Wachowski brothers' brain child will, to be frank, rake it in.
On the other hand, if your idea of a top notch cinematic experience relies less on how much the cast and crew are pocketing, and a little more on such old fashioned elements as plot, suspense, characterisation and entertainment, then prepare for the biggest disappointment since - erm - the last 'Matrix' flick.
This one picks up more or less where 'Reloaded' left off, with Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) and co preparing for the impending invasion of those dastardly machines, whilst inside the matrix itself the perma-grinning Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) continues to replicate himself and guffaw wickedly at nothing in particular.
In some places like a massively inferior version of Aliens, 'Revolutions' features seemingly endless battle scenes, firstly with the raging (and at times fairly gory) war between man and machine, and then with yet another tiresome exchange of punching and counter-punching between Neo and Agent Smith. All of the other usual components are there as well: the droning philosophising, the unfathomably high quota of frayed knitwear, the emotionally redundant characters (despite the lukewarm attempts of Neo and Trinity to show us otherwise). In fact, the outright pretentiousness of it all is matched only by its total mediocrity.
What it has that Reloaded didn't is a solid ending, but even that left an unsatisfactory taste in this reviewer's mouth. And, while the visual effects are outstanding as ever, they're used only to illustrate what is an extremely hazy and poorly-told story. Besides, why should a film be given any extra credit simply for having a budget big enough to invest in the best effects? Invest from day one in a lead male who doesn't insist on doing an (admittedly good) impression of a wooden post, and then we might be talking.
'The Matrix' was a movie with a fantastic concept and will deservedly go down in film lore, but the two misguided and wholly unnecessary sequels have, for me, taken much of the enjoyment out of even that original. I can only hope that, just as 'The Matrix' was the beginning, 'Revolutions' is truly the end - I don't think I could bear sitting through another two hours of this self-important guff.
Want a second opinion? Read Anton's Review of Revolutions.
It's Got: One of the least engaging romantic subplots of the year.
It Needs: To extract head from own buttocks.
Alternatives: The Matrix, The Matrix: Reloaded
Summary: Visually stunning, but in every other way completely and utterly boring. I found myself rooting for the robots, if only for the sake of a swifter ending.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 6th November 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
The Matrix Revolutions at the IMDB
Comments3 Comments |
| This storyline of the 3 Matrix films seemed to have the same fate at Neo himself: started out strong and died at the end. In the biggest failure, Matrix Revolutions, it had great effects and a few decent fight scenes (its the Matrix, duh!). But when did the focus shift from saving Humanity to only saving Zion? What about the billions of people still enslaved in the Matrix? Looking back at the original Matrix, "The One" is suppose to end the war with the machines. But if you consider a "temporary cease-fire with the humans on their knees and the hero dead" is ending the War, I guess you'd feel satisfied leaving this movie. But I wasn't. |
| Comment by:- Sam S. | | 07 April 2004 | ip: logged |
| I thought it was an amazing action packed thriller what doesnt deserve the slatig it got from the media |
| Comment by:- joshua miler | reviews worl wide.com... | 28 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Madness - Baggy Trousers Naughty boys in nasty schools Headmasters breaking all the rules Having fun and playing fools Smashing up the woodwork tools All the teachers in the pub Passing `round the ready-rub Trying not to think of when The lunchtime bell will ring again. Oh what fun we had But, did it really turn out bad All I learnt at school Was how to bend not break the rules Oh what fun we had But at the time it seemed so bad Trying different ways To make a difference to the days. Headmaster's had enough to day All the kids have gone away Gone to fight with next-door's school Every term, that is the rule Sits alone and bends his cane Same old backsides again All the small ones tell tall tales Walking home and squashing snails. Oh what fun we had But, did it really turn out bad All I learnt at school Was how to bend not break the rules Oh what fun we had But at the time it seemed so bad Trying different ways To make a difference to the days. Lots of girls and lots of boys Lots of smells and lots of noise Playing football in the park Kicking Pushbikes after dark Baggy trousers, dirty shirt Pulling hair and eating dirt Teacher comes to break it up Back of the `ead with a plastic cup. Oh what fun we had But, did it really turn out bad All I learnt at school Was how to bend not break the rules Oh what fun we had But at the time it seemed so bad Trying different ways To make a difference to the days. Baggy trousers, baggy trousers, baggy trousers Baggy trousers, baggy trousers, baggy trousers |
| Comment by:- madness | | 07 December 2004 | ip: logged |
