A 4th movie may be needed to save this franchise.

Rating: Null/10 (12 November 2003)

Now I'm not begging for a fourth film to be made, however unlikely that is. I am saying that in my opinion this movie ruins the allure of the previous two.
I don't think anyone viewed the first Matrix with anymore than a desire to see pretty unique and serious action. What we got was even better, an action film with amazing ideas. The Matrix Reloaded went even farther offering more intense action and even more interesting questions. The Matrix Revolutions is devoid of the unique stunts that attracted us to the first two and even MORE QUESTIONS.
What's wrong with more questions you ask. I thought a series of films was supposed to end with some sort of finality. Maybe I just didn't get it and I'd rather think that the movie's the problem, not me. Truth is, if there's something to get, we all should have gotten it. Instead we're left to debate like politicians, seriously.
The action in this movie mostly centers around the machine bombardment of Zion, the last human city. Very little happens within the Matrix itself except for two scenes. One night club shoot out which makes me wonder what these characters would do if there were no columns around. Second, the final battle between Neo and Agent Smith is more reminiscent of the Dark City climax. Everything outside the Matrix gives you a been there, done that kind of feeling.
So is this a bad movie? Yes and no. The film quality and special effects are excellent as we all knew they would be. The script however, is extremely lacking. There are a few characters in this film that would make Ed Wood cringe. One character, whose name I can't remember is given the most god-awful lines. The whole audience is laughing but no jokes were told. This makes me question the so-called genius known as the Wachowski Brothers.
Understand that I say these things as a huge fan of the first two movies. It perplexes me how two movies shot simultaneously (Reloaded & Revolutions) can be so different.
In conclusion, if you liked Deep Rising, you'll probably enjoy The Matrix Revolutions. But if you liked The Matrix, you'd probably prefer to rent Dark City.
4 out of 10