Film Review: The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

The Matrix is considered one of the most influential films in past quarter of century, with themes and messages that correspond with current zeitgeist and content that serve as convenient set of pop culture references for explaining today’s world. It was also the start of great media franchise and films series, but it’s not uncommon to find fans of the original 1999 film that like to pretend that none of the sequels actually exist. Some reasons for that can be found in The Matrix Revolutions, 2003 film and third instalment of the series, which is, despite decent box office success, often considered one of the greatest Hollywood disappointments at the start of 21st Century.

The plot begins almost immediately after the end of events depicted in previous film The Matrix Reloaded, which ended in a cliffhanger. Neo (played by Keanu Reeves), heroic protagonist who fought against machines that keep his fellow humans enslaved via simulated reality of “The Matrix”, is badly injured and comatose and ends in limbic world between the Matrix and machine world. In the meantime, machines and their Sentinels continue their onslaught against human city of Zion. When Neo is finally released from coma, he would have confront his nemesis Agent Smith (played by Hugo Weaving), computer program who went rogue and turned against humans and machines alike. Neo is forced to create temporary alliance with machines to stop Smith, which has began to absorb everyone in the Matrix.

The Matrix Revolutions was shot back-to-back with The Matrix Reloaded and released six months after the first film, with its creators Wachovskis convinced that the epic content of their work could be properly displayed only in two feature films. This concept guaranteed large box office results, but it was also double-edged sword. Hype for the second film was immense and in the end proved too much. Many fans and viewers were disappointed with Reloaded, despite the second film not being likely to meet high expectations based on its iconic predecessor. The film brought too many new characters and too much exposition, usually at the expense of action. The basic idea was to compensate for that in the third film, which was supposed to deliver the goods to the action fans and end the series in most spectacular fashion. To say that Wachovskis failed to deliver would be an understatement. While Revolutions have some interesting action scenes, especially iconic fight between Neo and Smith at the end, they are still drowned in too much exposition, pretentious dialogue that delivers various philosophical concept and leave audience mostly confused. The somewhat sour and partly enigmatic ending probably alienated audience further, which might explain why Revolutions had significantly less success at box office than its predecessor. This was followed by not too enthusiastic critics, which, more or less, has put the end to The Matrix film series, at least until rather unfortunate 2021 sequel The Matrix Resurrections, directed by Lana Wachovski.

The Matrix Revolutions, on the other hand, doesn’t represent complete waste of time. Those who are patient enough to sit to more than two hours and who have their expectations lowered might find it watchable. Wachovskis again display good directing style and film features good special effects for its time. Cast is more than decent, including some introduced by necessity (Mary Alice in the role of Oracle replaced Gloria Foster, actress who died of diabetes during production). Keanu Reeves is decent, but his role is, ironically, less iconic and effective than those who would play later in career, including John Wick or Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077 video game. To make things worse, Neo actually doesn’t appear for much of the film. Same can be said for Hugo Weaving who almost steals the show. In the end, The Matrix Revolutions is a film that could be recommended only to the most devout fans of Keanu Reeves or Wachowski’s original 1999 work.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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