Matrix Resurrections (2021)

Twenty-two years ago, The Matrix was released and became such a big hit that it sparked two sequels – The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.  With their gravity-defying stunts and futuristic ideologies, the franchise appealed to video gamers, action movie lovers, and computer “nerds”.  Last year, after an almost two-decade Hiatus, Lana Wachowski (Bound) wrote and directed the newest film in the franchise – The Matrix Resurrections. Reuniting members of the original cast – Keanu Reeves (The John Wick Franchise), Carrie-Anne Moss (Memento), Jada Pinkett- Smith (Scream 2) – with actors who were new to the franchise - Yahya Abdul- Mateen II (Aquaman), Jonathan Groff (Hamilton) and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) –   proved to create a good balance with a talented group of thespians.

Thomas Anderson (Reeves) is a video game developer who created a game called “The Matrix”.  What he doesn’t realize is the game is made up of his memories as Neo and that he was in the real-life Matrix.  Thomas also created a character based on a woman he sees at the coffee shop, who is really Trinity (Moss).  Complicating matters is the truth…both Neo and Trinity are lying comatose in pods; placed there by the machines sixty years earlier.  Once awake, Neo is determined to save Trinity, but that prospect is dangerous as it requires him to enter the Matrix and fight against an unknown entity.

While the original Matrix film was groundbreaking, different, exciting, and the catalyst that made Reeves a bona fide action star, the subsequent movies seem to have gotten progressively worse, this latest installment sadly, suffers much of the same fate, as the script is all over the place making it confusing. The fight scenes are not groundbreaking or earth-shattering which is a shame because the original movie helped redefine action with all its gravity-defying stunts.  The cast changes are also a little disconcerting, especially Abdul- Mateen II portraying a younger version of Morpheus.

One of the bonuses of waiting almost twenty years between the first three movies and the new film is the technological advances that have taken place.  The 2160p video quality of Matrix Resurrections shows an upgrade including in the shading and clarity.  The muted color palette offers a wide variety of hues making the film colorful while retaining a dark look and feel overall. The Dolby Atmos audio is a treat, utilizing the full range of surround sound speakers regardless of how many (or few) you own.  Gunshots ricochet from side speakers offering a realistic auditory experience.  Dialogue sits comfortably in the front speakers and sounds crisp and clear.  

The combo pack has both the Blu-ray and 4K discs plus a digital HD and several extras.  The extras, located on the Blu-ray disc, include No One Can Be Told What the Matrix Is, resurrecting The Matrix, Neo x Trinity: Return to the Matrix, Allies + Adversaries: The Matrix Remixed, Matrix, Life I Still Know Kung Fu, and The Matrix Reactions.   With over an hour of extras, this combo pack offers a robust slate of supplemental material.

The Matrix Resurrections seems like an attempt to revitalize the franchise and, frankly, they probably should have left it at the original three.  Besides the fact that the story is mediocre at best, Reeves dons the same look -long hair and beard - that we see in the John Wick Series; at least for the first part of the movie.   It is a little distracting watching Wick in the Matrix.  

The movie is simply okay but the technical aspects are excellent and, as mentioned, the extras are plentiful but if you are buying this combo pack for the story you will probably be a little disappointed.

Great: C+