The Matrix Resurrections – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Matrix Resurrections – Unplugged: Awaken in a Familiar Reality

Films are always enjoyable, but they can be reinventions of things that came before.  No matter how interesting, dynamic or original it may feel, the foundation is a retread of familiar things.  This is always true for reboots of older franchises.  In this review, I look at a Sci-Fi film built upon a legacy franchise.  Returning to old material, this reboot/sequel spins what is known down an intriguing new path.  Even when new ideas don’t always hit the mark, The Matrix Resurrections is a deep dive of a familiar question … what is our worth in reality?

The story revolves around Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), who is once again trapped between two realities.  Living through fragments of memories, he will face the truth of what really matters the most in this new world.  From the beginning, the journey pushes through a mixture of new and old concepts.  The opening sequence provides a list of unthreaded questions, creating a new perspective of what is truly happening in this newly built reality.  Once the foundation is set, we are introduced to Thomas Anderson.  In this iteration (of The Matrix) he is a popular game developer, having been entrusted (by the higher ups) to build something new from a past property.  The first act slots you into questioning the purpose of the construct.  The directive places the familiar against meta conceptualization, creating an aspect that is complex and open ended.  It bends what is known (by the audience) by pushing against the aspect of what is believed to be real.  This actualization helps build up the characters, creating an indifferent bond between Anderson and Tiffany (Carrie-Anne Moss).  There are fragments in their connection, but he cannot figure out what it is.  As things build between their relationship and other concepts, it leads through some convenient sci-fi/action sequences that break the meta motif by linking to what’s behind the curtain.  This leads into a second act that builds through scenes of heavy exposition.  The dynamic created can feel forced, but there is enough nuance to level out what has happened after the peace brokered between the Machines and humans.

From this point, the story weaves along a new journey of what it means to be The One in this new world.  This moment creates a different layer to this Sci-Fi franchise, moving away from logic into emotional worth.  New concepts are introduced through world building, heavy action and masking what is right or wrong.  As things come to light, it becomes a new journey against familiar threads.  As Anderson learns the truth about the past, it leads him (and others) to embark on a rescue mission.  In this third act, it pushes aside the many concepts for a journey of emotions, leading to a relationship truly coming to fruition.  This leads into a twisting of fate climax, creating an epilogue where the endless purpose of The Matrix has new goal.  The Matrix Resurrections is a reboot/sequel that push the concepts into a new realm of possibilities.  Even when things don’t hit their mark, there is enough for a fun time.  If you are a fan of the franchise, Sci-Fi films or like something a bit different, this is one for you.  This is a definite fun time at the theaters.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)