It's been almost 20 years since the Matrix trilogy wrapped up in a rather forgettable manner. While the first film, 1999's The Matrix, was a game-changing visual experience, coupled with excellent performances and a story designed to make you beg to dive even deeper, the two sequels that followed aren't exactly remembered fondly--and for good reason. Now, though, The Matrix Resurrections is looking to not only revive the franchise but make it worthwhile again after the original two sequels failed to do so. Did writer/director Lana Wachowski actually pull off that feat, though?
That's an incredibly difficult question to answer. And to do it, you should be warned we will be discussing plot details about the first act of the film. So if you're planning to go in cold, you should stop reading now as light spoilers follow.
Much like the original Matrix, this is a movie that fans will be rewatching for years to come, finding meaning and theories throughout to discuss endlessly. At its heart, though, The Matrix Resurrections is a film about the relationship between an artist and their art, which makes it feel like an all the more personal score from writer/director Lana Wachowski.
The film opens years after the initial trilogy, but with both Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie Ann Moss) having no memories of their adventures. Instead, Neo is once again Thomas Anderson. Now, though, he's the wildly successful video game designer behind a trilogy of beloved games known as The Matrix. Of course, you can guess what they're about.
Yes, it's pretty on the nose, but Resurrections doesn't stop there. He's told early on that he is going to be making a fourth Matrix game, resurrecting the franchise, at the behest of his studio's parent company, Warner Bros. For those playing along, Warner Bros. is also the studio behind the Matrix films.
It's a very funny moment--one of a few in the movie--but it also hints as to why Resurrections exists at all. It makes you wonder how hard Warner Bros. was pushing Wachowski and her sister Lilly (who co-write and co-directed the original films, but is not involved in this movie) to make a sequel to the film, with the alternative being the studio makes one without them.
To that end, Resurrections is an interesting look at the potential mindset of Wachowski going into this film. With Thomas coerced into returning to a creation he's attempting to put behind him, it overtakes his entire being as the reality of the Matrix he lives in begins to crumble, and, once more, he's welcomed to the real world.
It's hard to argue that the Wachowskis will ever be more identified with a project than the Matrix franchise. If Warner Bros. were attempting to mount a new sequel without their involvement, it's understandable why Lana would choose to return--even if it only further ties her to something from two decades ago.
That said, returning also allows her to give their creation some serious upgrades. This isn't the Matrix of old. There are new rules, new locations, and even new powers for Neo and Trinity once their minds have been freed from their virtual prisons.
And while it may serve as a spiritual starting point for the film, Resurrections digs deep into the lore of the franchise in typical Matrix style. Be prepared for plenty of exposition about what's happened since Neo seemingly defeated the machines, how both he and Trinity not only survived but found themselves plugged back into the Matrix, and why they're being called into action once again.
It's worth noting just how good Reeves and Moss are in returning to these roles they haven't touched in so long. The palpable chemistry between them remains as strong as ever and watching them interact--both as Neo and Trinity, as well as Thomas and Tiff--is simply delightful. What's more, this new film goes out of its way to define what makes them such a powerful force together, while also expanding both of their characters.
And thankfully, they've got a host of new faces to interact with. There are plenty of new additions and reimaginings of characters in this film, which is a blessing and a curse. There are some characters that fit in perfectly, while others are woefully underutilized due to the intense amount of story and exposition that are packed into the film.
It's hard to start anywhere other than with Morpheus. In this film, a different "version" of Morpheus appears, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The character's very existence is an interesting idea, but one that isn't handled nearly well enough. While there has been speculation that this particular character is a younger version of the Morpheus we knew, it's just not that easy.
Still, this new take on the iconic character has so much potential. Unfortunately, not enough of the movie is dedicated to making him a well-rounded addition to this universe. We get hints at what distinguishes him from the original Morpheus, but not enough.
On the other hand, Bugs (Jessica Henwick), is one of the best surprises of the film. A ship captain and Neo's guide as he frees his mind once again, Bugs is the eyes of the audience. She knows about this mythical figure in Neo and wants nothing more than to see him in action once again.
Jonathan Groff appears as a new take on Agent Smith, this time working with Thomas at the video game studio and doing all he can to keep him in line. The character is mostly played for comedy in the film, which is an odd fit. That said, if this was the route they were going to take, it's a good thing they recast Gross into the role. It would have been hard to believe Hugo Weaving's original incarnation of Smith would have the same tone.
Another character given a new face is Sati, who you might remember as the little girl introduced in Revolutions. She was a program created without a purpose that was put under the Oracle's care. Now an adult, Priyanka Chopra takes on the role. As with Morpheus, Sati is a character in Resurrections that feels underutilized simply because so much is happening in the movie. With so much story to get through in a single film, neither character gets nearly enough development. Hopefully, that will change in a potential sequel.
The last character worth mentioning is Niobe, played once again by Jada Pinkett-Smith. Now, the former captain is a high-ranking leader of the human resistance and has greatly aged. We get quite a few scenes of Reeves and Pinkett-Smith together in the film that show how Niobe has hardened over time and they play very well. It's easy to understand who she's become after the promise of "the one" didn't end the rule of the machines.
That said, the one drawback with Pinkett-Smith's latest incarnation of Niobe is the makeup and prosthetics used to make it look as if she's aged decades. It's so heavy that the character's face practically doesn't move, which is noticeable whenever she's talking.
It's hard to talk about a Matrix movie without discussing the action sequences. After all, the original film popularized bullet time (something this movie will remind you about), as we watched Neo and the agents pursuing him dodge bullets left and right. The action in Resurrections is on par with the rest of the franchise, with huge moments of over-the-top action, plenty of which can already be seen in the trailers. Yes, Neo and Trinity fight rocket-firing helicopters. Yes, there are a ridiculous amount of flips from practically everyone. And yes, of course, the number of bullet shells hitting the ground cannot possibly be counted. That all said, the abundance of weapon fire that is signature to the Matrix franchise hits quite a bit differently in 2021 than it did in 1999. In a time when mass shootings have become so prevalent in society, it's possible those moments can be off-putting.
The Matrix Resurrections will remind you of what you loved about the franchise the first time around. Everything you want from the is there--the bombastic action, the mind-numbing visual effects, and the deeply intricate story about escaping a virtual prison and regaining control of yourself. And there are times it will feel like it's retreading the other films endlessly (so many clips from the original movie are utilized throughout Resurrections). However, it also seemingly gives a window into the mind of Lana Wachowski as she embarks on resurrecting the most notable creation of her career. While it may not be nearly as good as the original Matrix, you shouldn't be surprised to find yourself thinking about it weeks after your first viewing, wondering why it's sticking with you so much.
