You say you want a Revolution...

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2003)

*MILD SPOILERS*
I JUST saw it, on IMAX to boot. It's funny reading the user comment IMDB chose to post, because it's pretty obvious the guy didn't see the film. Anyone who gives this film a 1 out of 10 is obviously just looking to get flamed, to be completely honest. The film was, in a word, awesome - excellent visuals (tell me that one bullet time sequence with Neo punching Smith didn't look simultaneously completely cool and extremely funny!), coupled with several very emotionally impactful scenes (yes, even involving Keanu, who seemed to me far less "wooden" than he did in Reloaded) as well as well-placed moments of humour, dramatic tension, awestruck wonder (the Logos breaching the scorched sky comes to mind) and of course martial arts action. It was nice to see that tall Aussie actor (you know, the guy from "The Road Warrior" who played the Ultralight pilot) making a cameo as the Trainman, as well. I also like that if not all, then MOST of the loose ends from Reloaded were tied up. For example, you realise with the Oracle's help why the Architect said all that he said - which I will not give away here. Suffice it to say, he does believe that he is correct regarding the outcome of the machines' attack on Zion, but his reasoning is based strictly on pure logic, without factoring in emotion, love and desire to the equation.

*SOMEWHAT LESS MILD SPOILERS*
My only extremely minor gripe is with the ending - while it's clear that there is peace at last, I would have liked to see how it played out in both worlds. For example, it appears that the Matrix continues to exist, but is it there for programs alone? Apparently, all humans connected to the Matrix will be released - so what would ultimately happen to the machines? As for Neo, what about him? How exactly did he defeat Smith? I personally believe that the Deus ex Machina tricked Smith, using Neo as a conduit to destroy his program once and for all. I just wish I knew what really happened with Neo after Smith was defeated, reverting back to a certain program in the process. It's obvious that either they (the Bros. W) are leaving things somewhat ambiguous in order for there to either be one more film, if they decide to pursue that path, or leaving the ultimate fate of mankind, machinekind and Neo himself to the extrapolation of the viewers themselves. I tend to think the latter is the case, and more power to the Bros. for respecting the intelligence of the audience. Anyhow, as a fitting conclusion to the Matrix concept, I'm giving it a 10 out of 10. If you disagree, challenge my perceptions of what I've seen - I doubt you'll be able to!