Bloody spectacular!

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2003)

After catching Matrix Revolutions last night, I was actually compelled to sit through the credits right to the end. This was not only because the final song was brilliant, but because of the amazing achievement this final piece of the Matrix puzzle proved to be.
The Wachowski brothers went ahead and did the last thing anyone expected with the third movie -- they just continued the story. This seems to be upsetting all the obsessive theorists out there, but was a sigh of relief for me. Everything you'd seen or heard in previous installments was simply taken at face value and continued. I've always believed that the sign of true brilliance is simplicity.
So what is the movie, if not a convoluted maze of plot twists and story contrivances? Well it's an action movie, first and foremost, with some of the most dazzling sequences and sfx you'll ever see. The philosophical references and musings are still there, but seemed much more accessible this time around. It doesn't take itself too seriously and benefits from this greatly. However, when there is a big edge-of-your-seat moment, Revolutions does not undermine it with humour as Reloaded tended to.
In the male-dominated audience with which I shared the cinema, I heard many an apathetic sigh during the romantic scenes. But, although these set off my corny-meter like crazy, I actually enjoyed them due to the obviously more tragic tone this story took.
Hugo Weaving's performance alone makes this movie worth watching -- he has combined Smith's overblown maniacal evil with a touch of vulnerable self-doubt to hilarious effects. I could listen to him saying lines like "Ooooh, I'm not so bad, once you get to know me" all day and not get bored. Every time he was onscreen, I couldn't help grinning stupidly. In fact all of the cast seemed to show a little more humanity and vulnerability in this one, which was quite refreshing.
With regard to the action, the Wachowskis didn't spend much time treading old territory. The action seemed fresh and more true to the sensibilities of the original. The war scenes were overwhelmingly intense and the few set-piece fight scenes were innovative and very cool. They were also used sparingly enough as to not overwhelm you into numbness and eventual apathy.
Much of the action occurred between real people in the real world. Without the unconstrained safety of the Matrix, the characters were actually vulnerable to injury. And because it's a trilogy-ender, you knew some characters might not make it.
And the finale between Smith and Neo -- well, let me just say that this scene delivered all of the energy and excitement I had hoped for.
Overall, I cannot imagine a better end to the trilogy. I'm confident that, once the dust settles and people let go of their own anticipatory versions of the movie and watch the one we were given, this trilogy will be seen as one of the classic action sci-fi pieces of all time.