December 22, 2021 Samuel Hames 0

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ – Review

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Forget what you think you know because the code has been re-written and everything is about to change in The Matrix Resurrections.

The Matrix Resurrections is a continuation of the story established in the first Matrix film. It reunites Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as cinematic icons Neo and Trinity in an expansion of their story that ventures back into the Matrix and even deeper down the rabbit hole. A mind-bending new adventure with action and epic scale, it’s set in a familiar yet even more provocative world where reality is more subjective than ever and all that’s required to see the truth is to free your mind.

When it comes to films that literally changed the landscape of cinema and which have had an indelible impact on pop culture no film stands greater than The Matrix. This original, innovative and highly imagined 1999 science-fiction masterpiece forever changed how audiences would view cinema and what they would expect from it. Following the completion of its original saga with 2003’s The Matrix Revolutions, many fans thought that the narrative was now complete and there were no further stories to tell. But this is not so when it comes to the endless possibilities that exist in The Matrix and now in 2021, more than 22 years after the release of the original film, writer and director Lana Wachowski returns to answer the questions that have passed through the mind of many viewers. And prepare yourself for something totally different and new with The Matrix Resurrections.

Just as the original films were seen as undeniably fresh and entertaining so too is The Matrix Resurrections. Shot in crystal clear high-definition cinema, Matrix Resurrections is a beautiful film to look upon and as a viewer, you are instantly swept up in the action and narrative that is brought to the big screen courtesy of Wachowski’s vision. While I won’t go into specific narrative points as I believe The Matrix Resurrections benefits from its story being witnessed in one serving up upon the big screen, I will say that Wachowski approaches it with a very unique eye and audiences certainly won’t expect what she gives to us with its narrative. There’s a terrific meta sense to the film, and an interesting awareness of the story as a whole, and audiences are sure to get swept up as the narrative moves forward at pace.

As she did with the 1999 original Wachowski and her team truly pushed the envelope of action cinema and digital effects with The Matrix Resurrections and this is a true action spectacular. The pace moves quickly and there’s a stable level of intensity in this new rendition of The Matrix, and those audience members with a penchant for the explosive will really like what Wachowski throws at them this time. I will also say that I was also very impressed with how Wachowski utilises and re-interprets the film’s unique use of wirework within its combat scenes and the result is an action presentation that is the Level 2.0 of what we originally saw in the first films. Punches and kicks fly and with the use of dynamic, twisting camera-work and fast-moving scene changes, the action of The Matrix Resurrections is a storytelling feature in its own right and an example of what I’ve long-termed ‘action as narrative’.

Plugging back into the simulation and throwing on his black duster once more is the one and only Keanu Reeves as Neo. And he’s not the hero we once knew. Much has changed for Neo, or Thomas Anderson as he is now better known as and The Matrix Resurrections feels like this is very much Reeves re-discovering what it means to be Neo again. And this makes the ride a whole lot more fun. Contemplation and questioning take up a big part of his role and Reeves injects his own philosophical performance into the character as Neo begins to question the difference between real and illusion. Reeves also puts his ‘action man’ abilities to work and he’s lost none of his abilities as a lethal weapon and it’s damn fun to watch him go to work against a literal horde of enemy machines.

Playing off of Reeves and herself returning to the world of The Matrix is Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. Although she’s not the Trinity we once knew. Now known as Tiffany inside of The Matrix, she has her own role to play in Neo’s resurrection as The One, and their unique chemistry is explored even deeper this time. While action and explosions are aplenty in Matrix Resurrections, Moss’ involvement leads to a major focus on a strong and central love theme that is present in the narrative and makes it that much more impactful for viewers. Moss also gets to show off her motorcycle skills, and the film’s key action scene has her and Reeves riding a Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport PRO together and it’s so freaking cool to watch.

Of particular note in The Matrix Resurrections is Neil Patrick Harris who is an absolute scene-stealer here as The Analyst. While the less that is said about his character the better, I will say that he’s very two-faced in his performance and he gives The Analyst a slyness and cat-like quality that will keep audiences on their feet. Praise must also be directed towards Jonathan Groff who appears as an infamous Matrix character who has been given an extensive upgrade and he showcases a calculating and dangerous Machiavellian temperament that marks him out as a very adversarial character and only adds to the surprise of The Matrix Resurrections.

The Matrix Resurrections is a thoroughly unique and engaging watch and is very much worthy of the big screen. Taking the idea of science fiction cinema and the technology that produces it to a brand new level this is filmmaking that truly revs up its engine and it’s one of the most fun experiences you’ll have in a cinema all year long!