A Losing Battle

Rating: 6/10 (13 January 2004)

Finally, after 4 years in the making, the end of this generation's biggest Sci-Fi parable has landed. But is it what we dreamt of? I don't think it is. `The Matrix' shook us up but its sequel shook it back down. I found `The Matrix Reloaded' far too bloated and not up to strength with it's 1999 predecessor but, was hoping for deliverance within the final chapter. But alas, `The Matrix Revolutions' can't salvage a weary franchise or redeem it. Mistakes in the past only amplify in the future and what we are left with is a myth now hollowed out to an empty shell, not even worthy of it's own exciting concept.
So what went wrong? For those of you who have seen all three films then you will know that there is great strength in the story, but plenty of room to slip. The Wachowski brothers (Larry and Andy) showed us that it is still very easy to make a film that asks you to think deep and have fun as well. But over time, with each successive chapter, the fun was drawn out. Again that is a problem reflected on the characters. Like the last one this movie fails to let the chief characters grow and be nurtured by the viewers. I find myself caring less about Neo now that he is the almighty chosen one, as it seems most unlikely that his life could ever be in any real danger  even outside the Matrix! But to add insult to injury new characters are created and discarded leaving the more substantial characters we have come to love (eg Morpheus) by the wayside. Nearly all the new characters from Reloaded are gone or gotten rid of in the blink of an eye. It would have been more sensible to develop these already established characters and put them to good use in the final plot. What a waste.
I don't wish the Wachowski's had never made the last two episodes (I campaigned there exciting arrival) I just wish they had handled it better. That's not to say that this film doesn't have any good qualities, it does. Technically `The Matrix Revolutions' is perfect. The visual effects are stunning and put to better use than in `Reloaded.' There are some moments that are truly amazing but nothing that stands out. The last two films had some classic scenes that showed you just why these films are unique but there is none of that here. The rain drenched battle between Neo and Agent Smith and the end of `Revolutions' is fitting but not as epic as say the 19-minute highway chase or the high wire rescue in the first film.
Any hint of originality is gone. It's way too serious for it's own good. All joy has been sucked out and overlooks that simple element from the original that I miss very much. I think that's what upsets me more than anything. Are the Wachowski's that good a storyteller or did coincidence and luck give them a winning film in `The Matrix' way back then? Maybe that's the teaser, not philosophy, Gnosticism, Buddhism, folklore or any other kind of global mythology entwined in here.
Score - 3 out of 5