this fantastic three part classic will stand for Decades

Rating: 10/10 (9 November 2003)

The negative reviews from commercial writers are both curious and suspect. Many of these "guns for hire" are puppets that can unfairly affect the success of a film. No where is this more obvious than with the barrage of negative criticism of the last two installments of this great trilogy. The Matrix is ONE film in three parts, all shot at one time, not three separate films. The time-lapse since the first release has much to do with this change in reception. Remember this project was started before the coup of 2000, before 9/11, and before the stunningly fascist right turn of the central government with it's inherent influence on general society. I doubt that this none too subtle film about suppression and revolution (among other things) would be made in today's political climate. It will take a long time to realize how important this work is as there is enough philosophy and political allegory in it to keep thinking people busy for years. Here in lies part of the problem.
Many reviews simply address The Matrix as a Sci-Fi adventure flick (on which level it definitely rocks), but they dismiss the deeper allegorical meanings as so much mumbo jumbo. That is no coincidence. The Matrix is a radical piece of work that snuck in under the radar (the first one) and seeing what an impact it made, the vested interests, (the same ones busy dumbing us down) are trying to obstruct the huge influence of this work. Major art that can stimulate thinking, investigation and questioning of the status quo is rarely welcomed by the powers that be. The unfortunate negative commentary I have read here reflects more the confusion and frustration of the viewer's mind than any sensible consideration of this true masterpiece. Not only is this one of those rare films that gets better with multiple viewings, it's practically required. Don't let the natural letdown of all good things coming to an end sway your opinion of this awesome work. Five stars and a great thank you to the Wachowski brothers for a cinematic milestone that can be appreciated on so many levels.