An Epic (spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (26 November 2003)

The Matrix Revolutions ***1/2 The Matrix Trilogy ****

"The Matrix Revolutions" (the third and "final" installment in "The Matrix" trilogy) is not exactly the "best" in the trilogy, yet how can one consider these films to be totally independent from one another? It is true, the original was not made with the sequels on the drawing board, yet the sequels themselves were within the minds of the directors (Andy and Larry Wachowski) when confronted with the aspect of "franchise." So, with that said, this film cannot entirely be dispatched from either "The Matrix" or, especially, the open-ended "The Matrix Reloaded."
What is the best then--if it has already been established that these three films are the cinematic equivolant to a "special-issue" comic-book series? The scale of "Revolutions" has been correctly linked with that of "Lord of The Rings"--but what of its density? The film is more an affirmation of what has been long expected since Neo's (Keanu Reeves) first flight at the end of "The Matrix"--huge scale action, and one of the best displays (definitely the most elaborate) of a battle royal between two opposing forces of "equal" yet "opposite" strengths. It was like Superman verses Bazarro....
We start off learning that Neo is dangling in a type of Limbo--a train station between the "real" world and the Matrix. The Oracle (Mary Alice) has been transformed physically (she had been originally played by the late Gloria Foster) into a new woman--yet the same flair and usage of elusive reasoning is there. In fact, rev is just an extension of what had been already established in the first film: Neo is the One and is superhuman, capable of crippling the omnipotent Matrix: a labyrinth designed to control the minds of its prey with mimetic imagery of what was once real to man--in the first film it was the late 20th century, in this film, apparently, the 21st century.
The "real" world encompasses Zion, the last "free" human city. The "systemic anomaly" Neo eventually comes out of his comatose in "Revolutions" to realize that his arch nemeses Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) possesses the body of Bane (Ian Bliss) within the real world--a possession commenced in "Reloaded." Agent Smith, of course, is the systemic anti-anomaly that swirled up out of the Matrix from being an Agent (program designed to keep the stability in the Matrix) into, as stated earlier, Bazarro. Yet, how is Smith in the real world?
Many questions that arose in "Reloaded" are still there during "Revolutions'" end credits. It seems as though "Revolutions" was just a big question that has subsequent answers imbedded in it--one just needs to think about them.
There are large battle sequences between the machines (Sentinels) and Zion that are dazzling--yet certain aspects of its tribalism are obvious setbacks, all too obvious.
The main issue with "Revolutions" is that it doesn't provide answers to a society predominantly answer-hungry, myself included. Yet it leaves so much up to the audience to answer--or to question.
The question posed earlier was: which is the best out of this trilogy? They are all good on one level or another, using one type of entertainment or another: There is always the verbal philosophy of the first film (something left unparalleled by the sequels); there is always the super-realistic action of "Reloaded" and its additional thematic elements (the freeway chase, the "Burly Brawl," and The Architect's ramble); and, of course, there is "Revolutions," which is predominantly concerned with saving Zion from the Sentinels, yet occasionally returns to the Matrix--the final fight between Neo and Agent Smith is the largest exception. For the "best," well, you won't find it here. Either one must look at the trilogy selectively, take it as one whole chunk, or just discard it altogether, I guess.
The open-ended questions in this film are used in many franchise formulas--and usually spawn more sequels. Yet, it has been stated, that both directors are exhausted from the workout this trilogy caused them, and may take a hiatus once it's said and done with.
So what then?
Will there be a sequel? The "happy ending" in this film connotes a sense of sarcasm--an almost-vicious nihilism. And there are always the questionable Architect and Oracle, whose intelligence is questionable. In other words-maybe, or maybe not.
From a large chunk of fatty philosophy, to less-is-more philosophy (but big action is super cool), to even-less-is-more philosophy (and big comic book and Mech Warrior-like action is always super cool), to leaving questions tacked on other questions--the Matrix trilogy has seemingly spanned history. But it would've been nice to know a little more.