THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (2021) – Redundant sequel with recycled ideas

Like many fans of the original The Matrix, I really wanted to like this movie. I thought it was a great idea to bring this story back given the number of years that have passed since the first Matrix was born in 1999. Now some 20 over years later comes The Matrix Resurrections. This is really the fourth instalment in the franchise by which was the brainchild of the Wachowski siblings. Lana Wachowski produced, co-written and directed this one so we are technically in good hands especially since the two main stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returns to reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity.

As I said I really wanted to like this movie but from the onset, the film seem to have set the stage for mediocracy. The opening act is almost a remake of the opening of The Matrix except this time with different actors. It becomes immediately obvious that this new version was inferior to the original. As the character on screen commented ” .. something is not right here ..”. As the movie plows along to get Keanu Reeves to be resurrected from the Matrix, and eventually team up again with Carrie Moss, we are subjected to many scenes that resembles The Matrix. These often include flashes of the original movie which only served to remind us of how brilliant THAT was compared to this.

The repetition makes the whole film seem recycled. How disappointing that after over 20 years, there wasn’t anything new to present. The fight scenes seem routine and didn’t really standout. All the ideas from the original film are rehashed her including the bullet time effects, and the quick fight moves of flips and walking vertically along the walls. Honestly, I thought the effects in the original was far more superior which is strange given that the technology in making movies has advanced tremendously over the time.

Okay so the fight scenes were fine and entertaining to watch but they weren’t that great or offered anything memorable. The ending fight in the streets while being chased by hundreds of humans turned killing machines. What about the plot and acting? Plot wise this movie barely made any sense especially in its ending. My main quibble is why it took them 20 years to do the things they do here. Keanu Reeves also didn’t get to do much kungfu style fighting. Instead he does a lot of posing with his two hands stretch out to emit some sort of invisible force to fight off the hundreds of bullets pointed to him. Neil Patrick Harris does make a welcome supporting appearance as The Analyst who is like a psychologist to Neo. At least he seems to be having some fun with his role as he gets to do his brand of humour.

Overall while The Matrix Resurrection may be entertaining at a conventional “leave your brains at the door” level, it ultimately feels redundant. The story of the Matrix has long ended. Somethings are better left as they should be and not be “resurrected” just for the sake of making money.