The Matrix Trilogy Has Themes! Beware!

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2003)

In understanding the Matrix Trilogy, as I like to refer to all three films, you must be aware of the presence of themes. Themes are vital aspects of moviemaking and the Matrix Trilogy is full of themes. The most overwhelming themes that connect the three films are as follows:
The Matrix (1999) is about "birth." The Matrix Reloaded (2003) is about "life." The Matrix Revolutions (2003) is about "death."
It's a very neat way to connect the three films. Unfortunately, these themes also foreshadow something about their respective films.
For The Matrix (1999), the theme is birth and, accordingly, this film is an achievement in moviemaking as only can be done through the birth of something. This film introduced such an original idea and a powerful story, with characters that made you yearn for more. Story and performances aside, the special effects were groundbreaking and still remain at the forefront of what movies accomplish today. When something is "born," everything looks great. Everything looks new and exciting.
For The Matrix Reloaded (1999), the theme is life and, accordingly, this film carries on the way life does for us all. It becomes more complicated and if possible, less interesting. This film offered nothing terribly new or different in special effects, and while the performances were generally the same, the story was the only place for it to really go. The story read like stereo instructions, and while after several more viewings it became more clear, the simplicity that the first film had to offer was gone. One highlight was the new characters such as The Twins, the Merovingian, Seraph and (ooh-la-la) Persephone.
For The Matrix Revolutions (2003), the theme is death and, accordingly, death is the suckiest part of anything and it is also the one thing we know least about. This film tried too hard and really made very little sense. The Oracle, who was played very well by an actress who's name I don't know, was as vague and useless as ever. Smith proved to be great once more but his fate (which I won't mention) really came out of nowhere. Morpheus is getting old (figure of speech) and Neo is becoming even more borish with his "I am stupid to the world" look. Another part of this film that dragged me down was the amount of time spent in the real world. It doesn't say much about humanity (the depth to the real world characters is weak) and the setting just isn't interesting enough. Ultimately, the Matrix is where it is all settled, so why spend so much time in the damn real world. What Neo was supposed to do or meant to do became lost amid the neverending action. Neverending I tell you. The effects stood above anything I've ever seen, but the true kicker to The Matrix Trilogy is supposedly its story. And while humanity may or may not have won out in this film, I am sad to say that the story suffered drastically. A real downer, followed by massive confusion, at the end, however, was a nice touch.
After three films, I've made a decision:
I'd much rather live in the Matrix than in Zion. Things are less complicated in the Matrix. Ignorance is not bliss, but confusion just ain't my bag baby.
p.s. Wachowski Brothers, don't tell me that even you understand what happened at the end. I leave it to you.