"The fight for the future" finally ends. The real question: With a bang or a whimper?

Rating: Null/10 (26 November 2003)

THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS / Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski / Written by Andy and Larry Wachowski / Running Time: 129 minutes / Rated R / Capsule Review / Score: ***

Everything that has a beginning has an end. 'The Matrix Revolutions' is a better film than 'The Matrix Reloaded' but the second installment was nowhere near the original Matrix, which gives you an idea where the third film stands in comparison. The trilogy is mostly about purpose. Neo (Keanu Reeves), in the beginning of the film stuck in 'limbo' between the real world and the Matrix, now knows his purpose: His road lies with Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), an increasingly powerful threat to both Zion and the Machines. Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Niobe (Jada-Pinkett Smith) command ships through tunnels deep inside the earth. Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), curiously, doesn't seem to have much to do here, besides staring into Keanu's eyes. 'The Matrix Revolutions' is beautiful spectacle, and the attack for Zion has some of the best computer effects I have ever seen. Action is plentiful, but shouldn't there be more of a closing, more of a wrap-up between man and machine, a struggle conflicting for two centuries? 'Reloaded' was disliked primarily for it's unnatural beginning and ending, with characters speaking in psychobabble along the whole, rickety way. It asked many questions. 'Matrix Revolutions' seems to have forgotten those questions and never answers them. The film ends as if the Brothers were in talk of a fourth movie. Some questions are answered, but the questions end up being more compelling than the answers. Thankfully, there is some kind of revolution, but only diehard fans will find complete satisfaction. Others are better off with a different movie.