Should be regarded as part of a whole.

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2003)

Most people I know loved the original Matrix for its originality. I,
having read quite a bit of science fiction, did not find the story
particularly fresh, but it was an original CINEMATIC experience, up
until the point when they turned Schwarzenegger on us in that
lobby. I was really enjoying it until that last third marred it for me.
For my money, EXistenZ executed a much more satisfying
conclusion with a similar subject.
Many people I know hated Matrix Reloaded because it did not
repeat their epiphany of the original Matrix. Maybe they also expect
to be dazzled anew by the unexpected twists of Fight Club Part II:
Fight Harder. Whatever. I found Reloaded to be a bold statement
and loved it, as I tend to prefer the tone and tempo of the middle
movement in three part symphonies (i.e., Empire Strikes Back,
The Godfather).
So come noon, I was in the cinema on the day of the premiere of
Revolutions. Right off the bat, I was incredibly relieved: no Ewoks,
thank God. Just pure visual heavy metal of the highest caliber.
Some loose ends left so, as they were sideshows (expect a bunch
of novels with the Merovingian soon). Some awkward verbal
elaborations on faith, personal destiny and existentialist
philosophy (handled better, methinks, in the final episode of Neon
Genesis Evangelion). An unfolding individual tragedy that pulls no
punches. An ambiguous ending, a first step, worthy of Ballard or
Philip K. Dick, messy as life itself, in an epic sci-fi setting. No cop- out this is.
If you want your cherry on the cake with frosted coating and a
Celine Dion tune as the credits roll, go watch a Tom Cruise flick or
something. But The Matrix Trilogy, overall, is ambitious, flawed,
noble and worthy.