Let down - Did I miss something?

Rating: 2/10 (11 November 2003)

**Spoiler Potential**
The moment the credits began to roll on The Matrix Revolutions I was overwhelmed with an enormous sense of anger that this was how the Wachowski brothers had chosen to end what arguably could have been one of the greatest trilogies of our time. The final conclusion does not, in my mind, fit the overall plot of the three films - in essence, it does not solve the problem presented in the first film (the liberation of humankind from the machines and the matrix) adequately or even at all. Some would argue otherwise. I just keep thinking back to another summer "blockbuster" - apocalypse postponed.
The special effects were disappointing although the disappearance of rubbery, digital Keanu was a blessing. The fight scenes have begun to feel a little *too* choreographed - predictable and not in the least suspenseful. Watching Neo watch Agent Smith take a 30 second run at him is inane. One wonders why he simply doesn't move out of the way if he has that much advanced warning?
Several large plot holes were introduced and as with the previous movies there are many intricacies that are only just hinted at and never fully examined. This may be fine for those of us who have the ability to play the related game, which apparently adds to the story. For the rest of us though, it can't help but be irritating. Character development is a little shallow and superficial; individuals like Niobe are never really allowed to develop into a satisfactory, multi-dimensional person with whom we can empathize. And what happened to the fight scenes Jada Pinkett-Smith trained so hard for?
All in all, I was and remain incredibly disappointed with this movie. The potential for greatness was there. We've been left with mediocrity.

I really, really wanted to love it. I really, really can't.