A second sequel, a second disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (5 November 2003)

The original Matrix took a creative story concept and turned it into a stylistic masterpiece that quickly became one of the most influential films in recent memory. But The Matrix Reloaded suffered a classic case of sequelitis: while it included signature action sequences that were worth plunking down ten bucks to see on the big screen, the storyline quickly got bogged down in "Matrix mythology," heavy on the strained religious parallels and confusing double talk. Which movie does The Matrix Revolutions resemble more? Sadly, the answer is The Matrix Reloaded - so much so, in fact, that Revolutions moviegoers who haven't seen Reloaded first will likely be hopelessly lost (and it wouldn't hurt those who have seen Reloaded to watch it again before heading out to the theater).
Revolutions again provides some good reasons to fork over the greenbacks at the box office, including a 20-minute-plus battle for the city of Zion and an all- too-brief appearance by a briefly-clad Monica Bellucci, but those hoping for a clarification of the concepts and characters introduced in Reloaded will walk out mostly disappointed. Laurence Fishburne is woefully underused this time around in favor of an expanded role for the bland Jada Pinkett Smith, and the climactic battle between Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is unsatisfying at best. The movie's final scene leaves the door open for even more sequels, but unless writer/directors the Wachowski brothers can find a way to recapture the jaw-dropping magic of the first film, they probably shouldn't bother. C+