Thought provoking, but will divide audiences

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2003)

With The Matrix series of films, the Wachowski's wanted to honour, and bring to life all their favourite anime moments, and place them into a 'real-life' film. The Matrix blew people away with its cutting edge 'bullet-time' effects, and fast paced story. Then came Reloaded (eventually), and the audience were divided. Whereas the first film was easy to pick up and watch simply for the action, Reloaded delved further into the philosophies and religious aspects/parallels, baffling many who just wanted to see some kick-ass action. With Revolutions, there is going to be a further divide, and out of all the people who loved the first film, only around 1/3 will really appreciate this final chapter in the series.
It is hard to review this film without giving away spoilers, so I won't go into the plot. I will only state that if you haven't seen the first two films, then don't see this film until you have. The film picks up from where Reloaded left off, and doesn't waste time explaining previous events. Those who have seen the other two films will be ready for the events of this film.
This third film is the most anime of the three, with story themes similar to many of the better animes to have come out of Japan, and also with action so frantic, and filled with detail, that it can, at times, be hard to follow for the general cinema-goer. The religious aspects of the second film are built upon more, and the battles are similar to the kind of battles you would see on Toonami, with mecha-style attacks, and more martial arts, this time with 'super-powers'. It is the fact that the film has really become so anime-ish that a lot of people will be disgruntled, and will bemoan that it is a let-down.
From this review so far, you probably get the impression that I wasn't too happy with the film. You couldn't be more wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed every last minute of it, following the story, getting to the core of the various philosophies being toyed with, and the action was stunning. The effects have improved dramatically since the last film, which at times suffered from obvious CGI. This time the CGI is improved upon, and the key fights are really well realised. The fast pacing of the fights, and so much going on at once captures the feel of confusion that a major battle will cause in real life.
Anyone expecting all those questions that were raised in Reloaded can rest assured that they are, but then again, they aren't! Confused? Well, thankfully the film doesn't pander to the 'popcorn-crowd' and explain everything in patronisingly simple terms. No, instead the Wachowskis give more questions, and leave a lot to your own interpretation. I followed it, I grasped the meanings, much in the way that I fully understood Donnie Darko. It's just that you may interpret it differently. Which interpretation is right? Only the Wachowski's know, and they ain't telling (at least not yet.)
As stated above, like Reloaded this will divide audiences. I'm in the YAY crowd here, and will be seeing it again. The best thing about films like this is they spark debate, they generate discussion, and they get you thinking. Just because it is an action film doesn't mean it has to be Jurassic Park! As Morpheus once said, `No one can tell you what the Matrix is, you have to find out for yourself!'. Watch it, and make your own mind up on what it is all about.