The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
6.7 /10
7578 Reviews
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The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Thomas A. Anderson / Neo
... Morpheus
... Trinity
... Agent Smith
... Link
User reviews
And so the much-hyped Year Of The Matrix comes to an end. Truthfully, though, the real Year Of The Matrix was 1999, when the groundbreaking original proved to be the right film in the right place at the right time. Tapping into the cultural zeitgeist and Y2K fears about the power of machines over mankind, The Matrix not only revitalized slo-mo action sequences with its 'bullet-time' style, it had a political relevance that already seems dated in a 21st century world dominated by a war against terror, not technology.
The Matrix Reloaded, for all its faults, did try to up the ante, both in its creation of a wider Matrix myth and its budget-heavy effects. Revolutions, however, is content to follow in its wake, the final couple of hours of a four-and-a-half hour slab to which the original movie, in the makers' minds, is but a pre-title sequence. Granted, there's less philosophical babble and more emphasis on action in Revolutions, but the Wachowskis, having backed themselves into pseud's corner, can only deliver with a formula where spectacle and pretentiousness follow on from each other in steady succession. Gut thrills and intellectual stimulation are never integrated as one.
Revolutions' sustained action set-piece - the Sentinels' attack on Zion - is undeniably exciting, but it sure doesn't feel like an episode from a close sequel to the original Matrix. For a start, Zion was off-screen for the entire first movie. Secondly - and dramatically more importantly - this centerpiece relegates the main characters to, at best, mere bystanders. Neo and Trinity are off on a mission of their own. Morpheus - now dressed in what looks like a burgundy Benetton jumper rather an outfit consistent with his standing as the coolest dude on (or under) the planet - takes a literal backseat to Niobe's driving. Instead, the key players are the Kid, whose backstory is apparent only to those dedicated enough to watch The Animatrix cartoons, and Mifune, whose on-screen impact is unfortunately as brief as it is memorable.
That such a primary scene is completely filled with secondary characters isn't just disappointing - it's damaging, because it draws attention away from the protagonists' climactic acts. Basically, this is the bit you remember, more than Neo's vital conversation with the Wizard Of Oz-like face of the machines or his up-in-the-air fisticuffs with Smith (a fight whose sfx impact has dwindled following Reloaded's Burly Brawl).
Some viewers will indeed be completely satisfied, their questions answered, as the final credits roll, but they're the ones who have done their homework. Without filling in plot gaps by watching The Animatrix or playing derided computer game Enter The Matrix, a sense of confusion reigns. And those who are confused can't emotionally engage with the characters, thus rendering any amount of sacrifices and love themes null and void. In the original film, the casual viewer could relate to a slave race of pod people and their need to be freed, but the Wachowskis seem to have moved the goalposts as the story has progressed, sidelining what began as a focal point of the plot.
In other words, few box-office-storming blockbusters have been aimed so consciously at such a narrow and precise cult audience. The Year Of The Matrix will be remembered as an indulgence for fans, while the original movie will be affectionately held as a separate entity by a bigger crowd.
Verdict - What once represented the future of science fiction cinema has become little more than a solid genre offering. But, hey, it wasn't supposed to be the Second Coming, was it? Oh, hang on...
3/5
- Empire Magazine
Genres:
Release Date:
2003-11-05
Run Time:
129 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
The Matrix Revolutions
And so the much-hyped Year Of The Matrix comes to an end. Truthfully, though, the real Year Of The Matrix was 1999, when the groundbreaking original proved to be the right film in the right place at the right time. Tapping into the cultural zeitgeist and Y2K fears about the power of machines over mankind, The Matrix not only revitalized slo-mo action sequences with its 'bullet-time' style, it had a political relevance that already seems dated in a 21st century world dominated by a war against terror, not technology.
The Matrix Reloaded, for all its faults, did try to up the ante, both in its creation of a wider Matrix myth and its budget-heavy effects. Revolutions, however, is content to follow in its wake, the final couple of hours of a four-and-a-half hour slab to which the original movie, in the makers' minds, is but a pre-title sequence. Granted, there's less philosophical babble and more emphasis on action in Revolutions, but the Wachowskis, having backed themselves into pseud's corner, can only deliver with a formula where spectacle and pretentiousness follow on from each other in steady succession. Gut thrills and intellectual stimulation are never integrated as one.
Revolutions' sustained action set-piece - the Sentinels' attack on Zion - is undeniably exciting, but it sure doesn't feel like an episode from a close sequel to the original Matrix. For a start, Zion was off-screen for the entire first movie. Secondly - and dramatically more importantly - this centerpiece relegates the main characters to, at best, mere bystanders. Neo and Trinity are off on a mission of their own. Morpheus - now dressed in what looks like a burgundy Benetton jumper rather an outfit consistent with his standing as the coolest dude on (or under) the planet - takes a literal backseat to Niobe's driving. Instead, the key players are the Kid, whose backstory is apparent only to those dedicated enough to watch The Animatrix cartoons, and Mifune, whose on-screen impact is unfortunately as brief as it is memorable.
That such a primary scene is completely filled with secondary characters isn't just disappointing - it's damaging, because it draws attention away from the protagonists' climactic acts. Basically, this is the bit you remember, more than Neo's vital conversation with the Wizard Of Oz-like face of the machines or his up-in-the-air fisticuffs with Smith (a fight whose sfx impact has dwindled following Reloaded's Burly Brawl).
Some viewers will indeed be completely satisfied, their questions answered, as the final credits roll, but they're the ones who have done their homework. Without filling in plot gaps by watching The Animatrix or playing derided computer game Enter The Matrix, a sense of confusion reigns. And those who are confused can't emotionally engage with the characters, thus rendering any amount of sacrifices and love themes null and void. In the original film, the casual viewer could relate to a slave race of pod people and their need to be freed, but the Wachowskis seem to have moved the goalposts as the story has progressed, sidelining what began as a focal point of the plot.
In other words, few box-office-storming blockbusters have been aimed so consciously at such a narrow and precise cult audience. The Year Of The Matrix will be remembered as an indulgence for fans, while the original movie will be affectionately held as a separate entity by a bigger crowd.
Verdict - What once represented the future of science fiction cinema has become little more than a solid genre offering. But, hey, it wasn't supposed to be the Second Coming, was it? Oh, hang on...
3/5
- Empire Magazine
Cast & Crew of
The Matrix Revolutions
Cast
... Thomas A. Anderson / Neo
... Morpheus
... Trinity
... Agent Smith
... Link
... Niobe
... Oracle
... Commander Lock
... The Architect
... The Merovingian
... Captain Ballard
... The Keymaker
... Cas
... Seraph
... Councillor West
... Zee
... Persephone
... Maggie
... Tower Soldier
... Rama-Kandra
... Bane
... The Trainman
... Roland
... Coat Check Girl
... Kid
... Councillor Grace
... Charra
... Officer Wirtz
... Ghost
... Councillor Hamann
... Zion Gate Operator
... Lock's Lieutenant
... Deus Ex Machina (voice)
... Q-Ball Gang Member #1
... Pilot (uncredited)
Crew
... Producer
... Casting
... Executive Producer
... Stunts
... Editor
... Original Music Composer
... Costume Design
... Director of Photography
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... Screenplay
... Director
... Executive Producer
... Screenplay
... Director
... Executive Producer
... Casting
... Production Design
... Supervising Art Director
... Sound Designer
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Music Editor
... Stunts
... Stunt Coordinator
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Sound Designer
... Sound Effects Editor
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Key Makeup Artist
... Special Effects
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects
... Stunts
... Makeup Department Head
... Assistant Director
... First Assistant Director
... Post Production Supervisor
... Concept Artist
... Fight Choreographer
... Associate Producer
... Assistant Art Director
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Second Unit Director
... Stunts
... Makeup Artist
... Dialect Coach
... Stunts
... ADR Recordist
... Stunts
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... ADR Voice Casting
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Assistant Art Director
... Production Coordinator
... Set Designer
... Stunts
... Foley Artist
... Assistant Art Director
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Costume Supervisor
... Concept Artist
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Stunts
... Set Designer
... Sound Effects Editor
... Additional Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Stunts
... Visual Effects Producer
... Music Editor
... Gaffer
... Foley Artist
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Sculptor
... Visual Effects Editor
... Supervising Dialogue Editor
... Hair Department Head
... Unit Publicist
... Sound Effects Editor
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Animation
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Designer
... Concept Artist
... Foley Mixer
... Storyboard Artist
... Script Supervisor
... Stunts
... Key Makeup Artist
... Armorer
... Armorer
... Unit Production Manager
... First Assistant Sound Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Concept Artist
... Scoring Mixer
... Location Manager
... Production Supervisor
... Makeup Artist
... Stunts
... Key Grip
... Set Designer
... Sound Recordist
... Boom Operator
... Associate Producer
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Recordist
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Dialect Coach
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Dolly Grip
... Grip
... Best Boy Grip
... ADR Mixer
... Dolly Grip
... ADR Editor
... Assistant Art Director
... Electrician
... Production Supervisor
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Conceptual Design
... Second Assistant Director
... Second Unit First Assistant Director
... Stunts
... Construction Foreman
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Grip
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Extras Casting Assistant
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