24 M E T R O S P I R I T N O V
Arts
& Entertainment
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“The Matrix Revolutions” Is an Unimpressive Third Installment in the Reality-Bending Series By Rachel Deahl
C
onvoluted and overambitious as it was, the sequel to “The Matrix” still felt fresh and, on some level, even a little important. Of course, hanging in the cinematic air of “The Matrix Reloaded” was the whiff of repetition — it was veering into chartered waters. In the disappointing and unimpressive third installment in the trilogy, “The Matrix Revolutions,” that whiff has grown into a stench. Without anywhere else to take their fascinating, mind-bending reality trip, directors Larry and Andy Wachowski push their philosophical and financial limits only to find they’ve been here before, and did it better the first time around. Beginning like a soap opera recovering from its previous day’s cliffhanger, “Matrix Revolutions” opens in the dank confines of one of the rebel ships, as Trinity hangs over Neo’s comatose body. Lost somewhere between the Matrix and the Machine World, Neo is off the map, so to speak, and in a state of limbo. When he comes to, he slips off to see the Oracle (now played by Mary Alice after the untimely death of Gloria Foster who played the character in the first two films). With word from the Oracle about the imminent and fast-approaching end of the revolution, Neo announces he must make a treacherous and supposedly suicidal trip to the surface, Machine City, for reasons even he himself does not fully understand. As Neo and Trinity set off on one ship, the rest of the crew, including Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Naiobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), head for Zion on another ship. The remaining inhabitants of Zion, which is under siege, are attempting to hold off an indomitable barrage of predatory machines. Meanwhile, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is still attempting to take control of the Matrix and the world at large. For all of the fascinating questions the Wachowski Brothers posed over the course of their two previous “Matrix” films — questions about the precariousness of being in a world layered with hyper-realities — “The Matrix Revolutions” is devoid of that provocative wonder. Where “The Matrix Reloaded” was weighed down by its repetitive philosophizing, “The Matrix Revolutions” is too devoid of it. In an effort to culminate a series based on open-ended and unanswerable questions, the Wachowskis wrap up their trilogy with a disappointingly simple answer. Finally, “The Matrix Revolutions” taps the same vein as George Lucas’ obligatory “Star Wars” prequels. The story has been diluted to one about good vs. evil and the ride is all about the battle. Like Lucas, the Wachowskis have some good toys to show off — and a spine-tinglingly cool-looking final showdown — but it’s sad to see the last chapter in their mindblowing series diluted to such trivial achievements.