A Crowning Achievement

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2004)

I fully understand that many critics and Matrix fans alike are disappointed by the outcome and quality of The Matrix Revolutions, the final chapter of the Matrix Trilogy. But while they just simply dismiss as a mindless, CGI action-packed thriller, what they don't know is that every weakness has a strength of its own and beyond. The Matrix Revolutions may be the weakest of the series, but it is also provides the most appealing, exhilarating, spiritual and energetic ride I've ever experienced. Also, Revolutions also has the most realistic uses of CGI ever created and the SFX guys really manage to pull this off (I always thought Revolutions would have snatched an Oscar instead of Return of the King. Due to bad press, it never came to fruition).
Where many see it as a failure, I see Revolutions as a worthy conclusion to the series. The main reason is that Revolutions is just a fragment of a bigger puzzle. The whole three movies connect and heavily rely on each other since each cannot qualify itself as a contender alone (The first Matrix is an exception but the Wachowski Bros. want to represent each with a theme: Birth, Life and Death, so I abide by it). The first Matrix is merely an introduction, infusing many philosophical 'techno-babbles' while witnessing the bizarre yet subtle effects of the Matrix. Reloaded is a mere extension of the first but with more surprises, balancing its weight between action sequences and mind-bending thoughts. It also serves as act two as the machines impatiently begin to dig down into the cities of Zion. Finally, Revolutions is act three: a grand finale as the Wachowski Bros. demonstrate the outcome of the first two, resulting in massacre and total destruction between the two races while all shrink into a final confrontation. All seem to blend nicely in the entire trilogy, assembled and paced in order like an orchestra. I also suggest to watch the Animatrix DVD, starting off with the two parter The Second Renaissance (you will soon learn the brilliance of the Brothers' storytelling technique).
Despite poor script and wooden acting (at least the actors have tried their best), it doesn't really matter. By the time you jack in, The Matrix Saga feels like a wild dream and ends with a bang as we begin to jack out, feeling satisfied with its final premise. I also hope that those who hate Revolutions will reconsider by watching the entire saga again.