the Matrix reflections...

Rating: Null/10 (9 November 2003)

Throughout American cinema, some of the best movies have come in threes. Such has been the case with `the Godfather', `Star Wars', `Indiana Jones', and `Back to the Future'. And now, after November 5th, such is the case with the latest Sci-Fi action trilogy, `the Matrix'. After the gripping cliffhanger of `the Matrix Reloaded', this early yet awaited finale, `the Matrix Revolutions' has concluded the next of these remembered trilogies.	Granted, `Revolutions' had points against it, but even so, despite all about it that is flawed, its entertainment value is undeniable. There were many times throughout the movie that I found myself smiling, almost in spite of myself. Beyond its faults and fallacies, the movie is enjoyable.	The most unique element of this film was the setting of the action. There are two scenes, at the beginning and the end, that take place in the Matrix. But the greater majority of the action, in fact half of the movie, takes place in the real world. As the plot loops around, hurdling kamikaze-style towards the climax, the story almost completely transpires on board hovercraft and inside Zion. Also, out of place though it may seem, the almost western-style brawl between Bane and Neo was refreshingly reminiscent of earlier action movies. However, `Revolutions' was sadly predictable. The trilogy has been set up according to a very precise cinematic formula. The first movie introduced us to the basic concepts (e.g. the One, the war, the Matrix itself), and ends on the optimistic note `Neo is the One, and he's going to end the war!' `Reloaded' expanded into how he is meant to end the war. It also throws the audience a number of curveballs, like the revelation of the Architect and the cyclical perpetuation of the Matrix-Zion system. Then there came the cliffhanging ending, with Neo comatose, Trinity faithfully at his side. `Revolutions' had nowhere to go but to the conclusion suggested by the first movie: the end of the war.	Despite the one-track plot, the movie makes up for its story by storytelling. The film continuously jumps from character to character to character. Thus, we are shown the stories within the larger story. We see the plights of Commander Lock, Niobe, Neo, the Kid, and Zee. However, fortunately, the continuity of these stories holds together. There is a plausible and quite necessary link between each scene-jump, so it moves fluidly. Essentially, the movie makes up for the simplicity of the actual story by telling it from five different angles of perspective.	The one final complaint that may be said against the movie is its lack of denouement. Much like the Hammer Studio films of the fifties, once the climax concludes, so does the movie. This creates a pure sense of dissatisfaction, as pertains to the multi-angular perspective of the story. Essentially, the battle is fierce, brutal, and horrific. And then it's over, and we jump to the Oracle talking to the Architect in a sunny park outside Sydney, Australia. And after a brief while understandable smattering of dialogue the end-credits begin to roll.	Still, despite these flaws and fallacies, and that rather unsatisfactory ending, the movie was very enjoyable. It is a clear reflection of the first two movies, as much as it is a finale to them. There are a grand variety of symbols from and references to the first and second movie, which can be fun to look for, for some. It is also the most intense of the movies. There are no small special effects in this one. But why would there be? It is one to be enjoyed.