Much TOO deep.

Rating: 4/10 (28 March 2005)

In my review of The Matrix Reloaded, I pointed out that, while a decent enough film, it was incomprehensible. Boy, did I speak too soon. All I can say is if you thought Reloaded was baffling, you ain't seen nothing yet. The movie follows on directly from the previous one, with the army of machines plummeting mercilessly toward the human resistance, and Neo (Reeves) still inside the computer world despite not being there. As the humans fight the machines, Neo wages his private war against the rogue Agent Smith (Weaving) who is now in control of the Matrix (or something like that, anyway). Thematically, I can translate it like this: Neo is the Messiah, and he's going to save both worlds. This involves balancing Yin and Yang, or balancing an equation, or something. Mostly it involves fisticuffs with Smith. I never thought I would say this about a film, but The Matrix Revolutions simply isn't shallow enough. It's too deep. It delves into themes so complex and so awesomely complex only the Wachowski Brothers (the people responsible) know what they're talking about. A little less meaning of life and a few more wacky, outrageous stunts, fights and special effects might have made it work more. Not that the film isn't watchable. The fight sequences are cool, and the battle against the machines is cool, and the special effects are cool

everything is cool, pretty much. Cool, but not necessarily good. As always, it looks fantastic. But that's about all that's fantastic. The acting isn't really worth comment, mostly because there isn't much. What the Wachowskis need to learn is that you can be meaningful without being confusing, and you can be intelligent without being incomprehensible. The first Matrix was good because it combined kick-arse effects and stunts with a real statement, a powerful message about humanity and a good, solid storyline. The two that followed it blurred the line between message and plot that it's impossible to follow either. The sad part is, it really didn't need to be this way. It could have been excellent. Instead, it's a mess. Sorry, guys. You did well with the first film, but let's face it, you can only push a metaphor so far. Good-o-meter rating: 4/10