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Blu-Ray : Recommended
Ranking:
Release Date: December 22nd, 2021 Movie Release Year: 2021

The Matrix Resurrections - Theatrical Review

Overview -

It's time to free the mind again and step inside the real world of The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth film of the iconic franchise. Nearly 20 years after the last entry, The Matrix Resurrections tells a different story this time around while giving audiences a ton of nostalgic set pieces, characters, and even pieces of dialogue that everyone should recognize along the way. In certain sequences, this fourth installment, to quote a Monty Python film, "Tis a silly place", but in between those moments are some genuine fantastic, romantic, and thrilling story arcs that are highly entertaining and important to tell. The Matrix Resurrections pushes the entire story forward and can be a blast when it wants to. Other times, it can be sillier than a Naked Gun film. Recommended! 

The Matrix Resurrections debuts on HBO Max and in theaters 12/22/21 - Order Your Tickets On Fandango

 

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Length:
148
Release Date:
December 22nd, 2021

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

How does one step inside the world of The Matrix again? Everyone witnessed Neo's (Keanu Reeves) deathly sacrifice nearly twenty years ago as he saved the last human city from murderous machines. Everybody also realized that Neo (the one) had gone through the entire story multiple times, meaning that this entire trilogy had really been played out hundreds of times before. The Wachowskis certainly opened up a brand new world with that first film where it became a milestone in cinema for various reasons, including camera techniques, actions sequences, and storytelling. The point being, what else could be said about Neo and his crew? Half of the Wachowski siblings - Lana in particular, got the band back together and set up this new film some twenty years later that hopefully brings on another trilogy with these older and wiser characters.

One of the issues with The Matrix Resurrections is the constant need to show something nostalgic from previous films, whether it be a location that has been seen before, a line of dialogue that was said a long time ago, or legitimately just showcasing scenes from all three previous films throughout the movie. It happens more often than not and takes away from the bigger story on display. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but when it happens all the time, it can get tedious and tiresome. On the other hand, the new story that unfolds might take a little longer to get to its point, but once it arrives, it's completely worth the wait and excellent - worthy of an audible cheer.

Neo AKA Thomas Anderson has been the co-creator of The Matrix video game that has been a cult phenomenon inside The Matrix. But he is plagued by strange visions he can't account for. His only two real friends are his boss and co-creator of the video game is a handsome clean-cut man played by Jonathan Groff (Hamilton) and his therapist played by Neil Patrick Harris who prescribes him the blue pill every day to keep his visions at bay. However, a new version of Morpheus (Yahya Abdul- Mateen II from Candyman) and newcomer Bugs (Jessica Henwick) come to ask him for help from a new threat that is causing havoc. Neo isn't actually the same Neo as in the previous three films. He doesn't really remember much of what happened and doesn't exactly possess all the same powers anymore. But he does recognize a version of a woman that resembled his true love in Tiffany (Carrie-Anne Moss) who looks a lot like Trinity. From there, it's twists, turns, fight scenes, and story plot developments that navigate the real world and The Matrix until a big element is revealed that will change the course of everything. And it's a fantastic one that tries into the previous films.

What works so well with this fourth film is the chemistry and the intense and wonderful romance between Thomas Anderson and Tiffany. There's so much to be said in such a subtle way that just flows smoothly and is full of unbridled passion without being over the top and it works perfectly in this movie. The actors themselves turning wonderful performances as well with similar low-grade delivery and a tender ferocity. Mateen II is just dynamite as the new Morpheus and has some fun inside the character, bringing new life to him and his swagger. Johnathan Groff is a much welcome addition as well and is the bright shining star every time he's on screen. He's funny, super intense, and incredible with every line and piece of body language he brings to the table. And Neil Patrick Harris is a bit like Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka in that nobody will ever know whether to love him or hate him because he is equally scary and friendly all at the same time.

 

Video Review

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Audio Review

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Special Features

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Final Thoughts

The fight sequences aren't anything new as most of the stars are much older now but there are a couple of cool spots, especially Carrie-Anne Moss still showing she can do it all. The final 20 minutes though is astonishing and proves that Lana Wachowski still knows how to shoot an action sequence full of beautiful imagery inside a ballet of chaos. The script with all of the throwbacks to the previous films are sillier than slapstick at times and will no doubt cause some hardcore cheesy laughs and eye rolls. But beyond all of that, The Matrix Resurrections works and is definitely Recommended! There is an end-credit sequence, but again, it's a silly one and has no weight to furthering the story.  

The Matrix Resurrections debuts on HBO Max and in theaters 12/22/21 - Order Your Tickets On Fandango