The Matrix Revolutions
Review by Clint Morris
 “Everything
that has a beginning has an end.”
Regrettably for fans of The Matrix though, the final
episode in the Wachowski’s blockbuster sci-fi saga isn’t
going to come without a galling price - namely, one very sore
rear end and one colossal Aspirin-won’t-cure headache.
Continuing on from the events of The Matrix Reloaded,
Revolutions picks up the story with the now toothless
Neo [Keanu Reeves] caught somewhere between the Matrix and
the Machine World.
Meantime, the Zion military battle the Sentinel army, intent
on annihilating their civilization. When he can finally get
out of the halfway house he’s trapped in, Neo plans to
be the miracle that’ll stop such obliteration.
If you were left baffled by the spectacular-spectacular that
was The Matrix Reloaded – the first part in a
two-movie sequel to the groundbreaking 1999 flick – prepare
to give your senses and understanding a workout once more.
All the dazzling effects and over-the-top action sequences
that audiences have been coming back for more and more of,
is once again evident in the latest chapter. Unlike the previous
two chapters though, there’s a major letdown with the
final Matrix installment...
At the end of the day you’ll feel as if you’ve
had the brain on high for the preceding two and a bit hours
for nothing, because that message we’ve been promised
– one that will apparently decipher all the mumbo jumbo
of the previous two movies – never comes.
In short, one’s going to feel a little cheated.
Those that have been loyal, stringent fans on the series
up until now will probably be looking for the Wackowski brothers
heads on sticks by the time the film rolls.
 At
the end of The Matrix Reloaded it looked like the directing
duo had grand plans for the next chapter, in turn explaining
to their loyal audience what it all meant – but alas,
they didn’t. Don’t. The answer never really comes.
Ok so there’s a lot more to The Matrix than plot,
so besides the befuddlement, is The Matrix Revolutions
an enjoyable last arc? That depends on what you hope the film
offers.
If outstanding special effects, ear-piercing audio, well
choreographed fight scenes and drawn-out chunks of perplexing
dialogue are your bag – then yes, you’ll enjoy the
final chapter in the ambitious trilogy.
If something new, novel and exciting is more your cup of
Joe – you might want to start looking elsewhere.
If anything, The Matrix Revolutions feels tired.
Naturally, it’s going to have the ‘been there done
that’ syndrome attached to it, but at the same time,
it doesn’t even try to inject anything new. How many
long, drawn-out, slow motion action sequences with guys flying
in the air or that now annoying bullet-time can one take?
Ultimately, it’s going to be pretty clear by the end
of The Matrix Revolutions that both it and Reloaded
could’ve easily been cut to 80 minute movies each –
in turn, possibly forming to create just the one sequel.
There’s a lot that could easily have been cut out here
– a large chunk of the middle (the battle scene between
the city and the sentinels) is exasperatingly arduous, and
even a pivotal death scene is stretched out to a derisory
duration. Everything about the sequel feels bloated.
To the film’s merit though, the Wachowski’s do
deliver on a couple of grand action sequences, especially
the film’s charged final fight between Agent Smith [scene-stealer
Hugo Weaving] and Neo, which is nothing short of Pepsi cool.
Unfortunately, the rest of The Matrix Revolutions
needed a couple of berrocas. Maybe that would’ve given
it back its b-b-b-bounce.
Over it.
3 out of 5
The Matrix Revolutions
Australian release: Thursday November 6th
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss,
Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mary Alice, Monica Bellucci,
Harold Perrineau, David Roberts, Bruce Spence, Clayton Watson,
Anthony Wong, Lachy Hulme.
Director: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Website: Click
Here
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