Introduction
The Matrix Reloaded, released in 2003, was a global box-office success. The sequel film earned almost $740 million worldwide. However, its subplots were often confusing and never got fully resolved. The result was mixed reviews from critics. The action was increased, but the intrigue and “fun” of the first film just wasn’t there. The Matrix Reloaded simply doesn’t compare to it’s predecessor.
The Matrix Revolutions, also released in 2003, was the final installment in the Wachowski’s original science fiction trilogy. The film suffered the same problem as the previous installment. Along with ridiculous overdone special effects, it had a horrible anti-climatic ending and subpar pacing. This was reflected at the box office, as it fared significantly worse than the previous two films financially.
With all of that said, there is no denying that The Matrix, released in 1999, is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. The film, which won four Academy Awards, is a dystopian classic. Subsequently, The Matrix was added to the National Film Registry for preservation in 2012. The Wachowski’s futuristic vision here is undeniable, awe inspiring, and truly a revolutionary sight to behold.
The Matrix
The Matrix was topical, as the whole Y2K craziness was on the horizon upon release. Also, the special effects were groundbreaking and a revelation. The martial arts fight scenes, as choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping, were absolutely stunning and revolutionary. Plus, there is no denying the chemistry between the trifecta of “Neo” (Keanu Reeves), “Trinity” (Carrie- Anne Moss), and “Morpheus” (Lawrence Fishburne).
Most importantly, The Matrix was an “action movie” that had gravitas. The film was deeply philosophical. This was something that was unheard of throughout action films of the 1980’s. Simply put, The Matrix became part of the cultural zeitgeist. Trench coats and cool sunglasses. Dodging fake bullets in the schoolyard. Saying “Woah.” This was all a result of Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s epic vision.
Even “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine was a perfect way to close out the film. The closing track sent theater-goers into the streets with a little pep in their step. The “bullet stopping” scene remains one of the most iconic moments in film history over the last 40 years. Reeves’ quizzical sideways look, his utterance of the simple word “No” and Fishburne’s realization that Neo “is the one” are all epic on so many levels.
The Matrix Reloaded
Many people have said that The Matrix should have always just been a standalone film. There is a strong argument for this case. Neo is reborn, unbound by The Code, and flies off to emancipate the masses. Cut to black, the credits, and that jamming Rage Against The Machine closing score. However, The Matrix was a cultural phenomenon, and Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow wanted to capitalize on the massive hit they had.
The problem with this is that The Matrix Reloaded just doesn’t flow like the original does. The chemistry isn’t there. The pacing is way off. The story just feels incomplete. We also have too many new and unnecessary characters introduced. While not enough time is being devoted to the characters that we actually care about (Morpheus).
The biggest flaw of The Matrix Reloaded is that Neo is basically “superhuman.” There’s really nothing at stake for him. He can pretty much do anything. The movie suffers because of this. Hence, the ridiculous “Neo vs 100 Smiths” fight scene. What was so great about the first film is that Neo is lost in a virtual world. One he doesn’t understand. He’s a sad sack underdog (“I’m nobody, I didn’t do anything”) that we were rooting for.
The Matrix Revolutions
Subsequently, and because of Neo’s underdog qualities, the ending of The Matrix delivers such an awesome payoff. By the time we get to The Matrix Revolutions and the “Battle for Zion,” the white-hot chemistry between Neo and Trinity is clearly gone. We’re also bombarded with overdone CGI and subplots that go nowhere.
As a result, the fun has been completely sucked dry from this once great franchise. Also, from an action standpoint, nothing in The Matrix Revolutions comes close to the absolutely breathtaking freeway chase in The Matrix Reloaded. The third film focuses more on the real world (the battle for Zion), rather than the actual Matrix. This was a mistake as the world of the Matrix is what we truly cared about.
However, this was almost 17 years ago. Since the release of The Matrix Revolutions in 2003, this once iconic franchise has laid dormant. Its fans have wondered what could have been. In the interim, there has been the reemergence of Keanu Reeves as a global action superstar. Because of this, we are about to find out what the future holds for Neo.
The Future Of The Matrix
The Wachowskis were always adamant publicly that they never wanted to make a fourth film in the franchise. Instead, they gave their blessing to have their universe expanded via video games. Subsequently, The Matrix Online video game, released in 2005, was deemed canon, and an official continuation of the film series.
Rumors of a new Matrix film started back in 2012 when it was reported that the Wachowskis were planning back-to-back sequels in the series. In 2014, it was rumored that The Wachowskis submitted a “story treatment” for a new trilogy. Warner Brothers has stated publicly that this was never the case at all.
In 2017, The Hollywood Reporter had noted that Warner Brothers was developing a relaunch of the franchise. Said relaunch had Zak Penn (Behind Enemy Lines) writing a treatment. It also had Michael B. Jordan (Creed) attached to star. At this time the Wachowskis were not involved. Penn however, rejected a reboot or remake. He preferred to write something set in the already established Matrix universe.
In 2018, Penn stated that he was working on a “revival of the franchise.” The writer also hinted at the possibility of an expanded Matrix universe. In 2019, Penn had elaborated on his earlier comments. He stated that the project he had been working on at Warner Brothers was separate from the planned fourth Matrix film.
The Matrix Resurrections
The Matrix Resurrections was officially green-lit and announced by Warner Brothers on August 20, 2019. Lana Wachowski is returning as the film’s sole director. Reeves and Moss are also confirmed as reprising their roles. The script is co-written by Wachowski, along with David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas) and Aleksandar Hemon (Nowhere Man). As to why Lilly Wachowski didn’t return to the iconic franchise, she stated:
“There was something about the idea of going backward and being a part of something that I had done before that was expressly unappealing”
Jada Pinkett Smith is also returning as Niobe. Daniel Bernhardt reprises his role as Agent Johnson from The Matrix Reloaded. Also, Lambert Wilson is coming back as the Merovingian, from The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Hugo Weaving as the iconic Agent Smith will not be returning. This is a huge blow. Weaving’s performance throughout the first three films was an anchor of the franchise.
Laurence Fishburne’s equally iconic Morpheus will also not be returning. At least in the form that we are used to seeing. Fishburne, surprisingly, was never approached for the new movie. Fishburne stated to Collider this year:
“I am not in the next Matrix movie, and you’d have to ask Lana Wachowski why, because I don’t have an answer for that”
New Faces, New Themes
The Matrix Resurrections will feature plenty of new faces to add to this historic franchise. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (portraying Morpheus?) and Jessica Henwick both have starring roles. Neil Patrick Harris appears as Thomas Anderson’s psychologist. Also Jonathan Groff, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt, Eréndira Ibarra, Priyanka Chopra, Andrew Caldwell, Brian J. Smith, Ellen Hollman, and Christina Ricci have supporting roles in the latest installment.
The plot of The Matrix Resurrections is still somewhat of a mystery. The fantastic trailer smartly keeps most of the plot unknown. Apparently, Neo is once again going by the name Thomas Anderson and is plugged back into the Matrix. Trinity also appears to be back in said Matrix. However, they don’t remember each other or what happened to them in the past.
Anderson is being prescribed blue pills (get it?) by his psychiatrist. Subsequently, Neo stops taking the pills. Soon, he starts to notice things are not what they seem. The Alice in Wonderland theme is strong in this trailer. Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” is the perfect song here. Even Lewis Carroll’s book is given to Anderson by a woman in glasses (Chopra). She may be the latest version of the Oracle.
The end of The Matrix Revolutions, showed the Matrix being “rebooted.” Humans are being given the chance to leave the Matrix or continue to live in its existence. Now, it appears to show a great number of people continuing to willingly confine themselves to the world of the Matrix. This is not such a stretch considering the quality of life of the real world. In the new trailer, Anderson, sees everyone glued to their devices except for him. This is a clear metaphor.
In Conclusion
In 1999, The Matrix changed how we viewed and looked at cinema forever. Could this possibly happen again with the impending release of The Matrix Resurrections? In the subsequent 20+ years, we have been inundated and saturated with sequels, television series, books, comics, and video games. Because of this saturation, one can only hope for a quality film. One that has some modicum of originality.
The trailer seems to suggest that The Matrix Resurrections may be the first installment in a new trilogy. This clearly will depend on the film’s commercial success. This seems all but guaranteed as Reeves has once again become an A-list star. This is due to the widely successful John Wick franchise. Whether Reeves can once again fly off into the sky and change the landscape of film remains to be seen. We’re about to find out very soon.
The Matrix Resurrections is a joint production by Village Roadshow Pictures and Venus Castina Productions. The film will have its world premiere on December 18, 2021, in San Francisco. It’s scheduled to be released by Warner Brothers Pictures theatrically on December 22, 2021. It will also stream digitally on HBO Max in the United States for 30 days beginning on December 22, 2021.
