So close to extremely good, but...

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2003)

If you want to see how the Matrix trilogy ends, do see this movie. I'm sure you'll find it couldn't have ended any other way. There are many wondrous moments, but unfortunately only a few bits of trademark Wachowski humor. It is a much more serious movie than the others and the gravity of it all began to wear on me by the end. The special effects sequences are inventive and visually stunning, though the print I saw seemed very dark in places. I also fear that some of the effort that would otherwise have gone into the story and filmmaking was lost to these sequences. I can think of about a dozen really cool shots and moments of drama, suspence, and confrontation that could have added much to the movie, had they been included or indeed dreamed up in the first place. The new Oracle actress is unfortunately not quite as perfectly Oracular in the timing of her lines, nor as expressive as her predecessor, though her voice is as close a match as you could wish for. If I hadn't been spoiled by the first two movies I'm sure I would have rated this one higher. As it is, 7/10. Maybe there will be an extended version or director's cut someday that will patch the holes. I can only hope.