The Matrix Resurrections

[BatLobster]

The reason I respect the smaller scale of this film, is it seems like often legacy sequels go the route of....this is bigger....the threat is worse....this is....The. Most. Important. Thing. Ever.

"BIGGER DEATH STAR!"

Ironically, this is one of the things that I felt made it feel unique.

Also, I see some complaints that the movie is too fan servicey times. Um, where? It almost pokes fun at it.

Lana Wachowski clearly didn't have any interest in revolutionizing cinema..."AGAIN!!!!" (I really love that montage). You can love this or hate this, but to me it's coming from an honest place. The bar has been raised so high now in terms of visual effects, that what could you even do that would be the equivalent of seeing bullet-time for the first time? I think the new Jurassic movies have been full of commentary on this aspect of where we're at with entertainment. And btw, as fun as those new flicks are, I still don't think they've topped the effects of the original.

So I think what we have here is a filmmaker who has moved on to a different part of their life, their artistic career, everything. They are not the same person they were when they made the original films. Heck, they aren't even the same gender they were, which is interesting in and of itself.

She never wanted to revisit that world despite WB begging her year after year for the past 20 years. Finally, she experiences a tragedy in her real life that gives her a longing to reconnect with old friends, both fictional and real, and Matrix 4 is born. A personal story coming from a real place that is also offering commentary on the fiction that the world seems to be more consumed with than ever.

I think the White Rabbit montage is one of the most daring pieces of cinema I've seen this year.

Don't get me wrong, I love cool action as much as the next person, and I'm grateful I can always revisit the trilogy and watch action that still stands the test of time and holds up today for the most part. I'm also grateful that this film was made with such brutal artistic honesty.

If you're a fan who comes to the films for the action first, ideas second, I totally get an understand being disappointed. That's fine. For me, Matrix has always been a franchise where the action was my way in the door, but I stayed for the sci-fi and ideas. A hollow Matrix sequel with no new ideas or thought-provoking angles to it would've crushed me far more than a film that is content to be a 'solid' action film while offering a lot to chew on in terms of the sci-fi mythology and the social commentary.

For as much as people are crapping on this while praising Spider-Man....this movie still did something really cool action-wise in its third act and had two actors in their mid 50s leap off an actual skyscraper. Not even a movie with 3 Spider-Men (whose whole deal is leaping off buildings) attempted to do something that badass/practical. And having that be such a big moment for the two main characters at the climax made it more meaningful. So it earned its action movie cred there for me, even with some lackluster fight scenes.

 

[Prison Mike]

Am I crazy in thinking that Snyder could make a really cool Matrix movie?

No…no you are not.

 

[Iceman]

I think in time, this movie will be more appreciated. If there's an actual tipping point for these awful legacy sequels, the culture will come back to this more positively. That's how a lot of art works. Context. If it comes out in the right cultural context it hits, if it doesn't, that's when you get art that becomes appreciated in the future.

I'm not saying this movie is a masterpiece or will be seen as such, but it's a damn good movie that actually pulls off what it's saying and I think at least that will become more clear and appreciated for what it is later on when the dust settles.

It's the opposite of something like TFA where it was exciting in the moment, but now, I don't see people really talking about it so much. And if there is, it's more critical of it being a blatant rehash. More people talk about The Mandalorian.

That’s my view too. I don’t think anyone is going to ever be calling this a comparable film to the first, or even a great film in its own right. It’s a companion piece rather than an independent film that adds value to the franchise as whole in an interesting way rather than trying to justify its own existence.

 

[GothamCity]

Rian Johnson needs to make the sequel.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I think in time, this movie will be more appreciated. If there's an actual tipping point for these awful legacy sequels, the culture will come back to this more positively. That's how a lot of art works. Context. If it comes out in the right cultural context it hits, if it doesn't, that's when you get art that becomes appreciated in the future.

I'm not saying this movie is a masterpiece or will be seen as such, but it's a damn good movie that actually pulls off what it's saying and I think at least that will become more clear and appreciated for what it is later on when the dust settles.

It's the opposite of something like TFA where it was exciting in the moment, but now, I don't see people really talking about it so much. And if there is, it's more critical of it being a blatant rehash. More people talk about The Mandalorian.

Agreed. The Force Awakens is an example of a movie that, while enjoyable, has shown how hollow it is as the years go by. This movie at least tried to do it's own thing, and succeeded in that, in my mind at least. I do think once this series goes back to sleep for a while, which unfortunately, I think is likely, this will start to find it's place in the franchise for those that hate it. For me, it's already at that place. It's actually a better movie than The Force Awakens overall. It may not have that " oh wow!" factor, but I think it's more bold and admirable. I'll probably end up giving it 4th rewatch before it leaves HBO Max, or when I buy it on 4k.

I think it being an epilogue or companion piece is one of the things that makes it special. It's so personal, and for some that works, yet for others it doesn't.

It's a shame that the future of the Matrix is so unclear. Both Blade Runner and The Matrix are 2 worlds that I think have so much left to be explored. Blade Runner 2049 is a modern masterpiece, and yet I bet it's box office is the reason a new film is unlikely. I can only hope that the live action show that Ridley Scott has planned comes to fruition. That's the direction I'd like to see The Matrix go next. The Neo and Trinity stuff are the Wachowskis territory, so moving away from that without them would be the best course.

 

[Iceman]

I’d take Christopher McQuarrie, Joseph Kosinski or Alex Garland (a fan’s dream) over Bay or Snyder.

I would like to see what can be done with this series in the hands of a different writer/director who has a burning passion for the original film and the will to push boundaries in the 2020s.

 

[Karelia]

Am I crazy in thinking that Snyder could make a really cool Matrix movie?

Mannnn.... I like this. I don't think it will happen, but I'd be down for it.

 

[Gothamsknight]

The reason I respect the smaller scale of this film, is it seems like often legacy sequels go the route of....this is bigger....the threat is worse....this is....The. Most. Important. Thing. Ever.

"BIGGER DEATH STAR!"



Lana Wachowski clearly didn't have any interest in revolutionizing cinema..."AGAIN!!!!" (I really love that montage). You can love this or hate this, but to me it's coming from an honest place. The bar has been raised so high now in terms of visual effects, that what could you even do that would be the equivalent of seeing bullet-time for the first time? I think the new Jurassic movies have been full of commentary on this aspect of where we're at with entertainment. And btw, as fun as those new flicks are, I still don't think they've topped the effects of the original.

So I think what we have here is a filmmaker who has moved on to a different part of their life, their artistic career, everything. They are not the same person they were when they made the original films. Heck, they aren't even the same gender they were, which is interesting in and of itself.

She never wanted to revisit that world despite WB begging her year after year for the past 20 years. Finally, she experiences a tragedy in her real life that gives her a longing to reconnect with old friends, both fictional and real, and Matrix 4 is born. A personal story coming from a real place that is also offering commentary on the fiction that the world seems to be more consumed with than ever.

I think the White Rabbit montage is one of the most daring pieces of cinema I've seen this year.

Don't get me wrong, I love cool action as much as the next person, and I'm grateful I can always revisit the trilogy and watch action that still stands the test of time and holds up today for the most part. I'm also grateful that this film was made with such brutal artistic honesty.

If you're a fan who comes to the films for the action first, ideas second, I totally get an understand being disappointed. That's fine. For me, Matrix has always been a franchise where the action was my way in the door, but I stayed for the sci-fi and ideas. A hollow Matrix sequel with no new ideas or thought-provoking angles to it would've crushed me far more than a film that is content to be a 'solid' action film while offering a lot to chew on in terms of the sci-fi mythology and the social commentary.

For as much as people are crapping on this while praising Spider-Man....this movie still did something really cool action-wise in its third act and had two actors in their mid 50s leap off an actual skyscraper. Not even a movie with 3 Spider-Men (whose whole deal is leaping off buildings) attempted to do something that badass/practical. And having that be such a big moment for the two main characters at the climax made it more meaningful. So it earned its action movie cred there for me, even with some lackluster fight scenes.

Exactly! That's where I'm coming from with my thoughts as well. It's pretty bold to not even attempt to try to raise the bar again, because what happens if you do? In this day in age, it'll likely fall shout. Action in movies has changed so much since The Matrix Revolutions. Heck, John Wick, with Keanu, redefined action scenes as well for american cinema. Lana and her sister already made her mark on the series years ago, so attempting to replicate that success would be pointless. I think that's why her attention was focused on something much more personal in nature, to not everybodys liking of course.

I'd rather have a piece of art from the original creator that is pure, original and true than something that will satisfy audiences for a brief period before being torn apart with accusations of "mary sue" and the like.

The White Rabbit montage is one of my favorite scenes in the movie both because of it's meaning and because my mother still loves that song to this day haha.

 

[Comicbookguy339]

I would like to see what can be done with this series in the hands of a different writer/director who has a burning passion for the original film and the will to push boundaries in the 2020s.

We also thought we wanted that with Star Wars and that had mixed results at best.

 

[TheVileOne]

The reason I respect the smaller scale of this film, is it seems like often legacy sequels go the route of....this is bigger....the threat is worse....this is....The. Most. Important. Thing. Ever.

"BIGGER DEATH STAR!"



Lana Wachowski clearly didn't have any interest in revolutionizing cinema..."AGAIN!!!!" (I really love that montage). You can love this or hate this, but to me it's coming from an honest place. The bar has been raised so high now in terms of visual effects, that what could you even do that would be the equivalent of seeing bullet-time for the first time? I think the new Jurassic movies have been full of commentary on this aspect of where we're at with entertainment. And btw, as fun as those new flicks are, I still don't think they've topped the effects of the original.

So I think what we have here is a filmmaker who has moved on to a different part of their life, their artistic career, everything. They are not the same person they were when they made the original films. Heck, they aren't even the same gender they were, which is interesting in and of itself.

She never wanted to revisit that world despite WB begging her year after year for the past 20 years. Finally, she experiences a tragedy in her real life that gives her a longing to reconnect with old friends, both fictional and real, and Matrix 4 is born. A personal story coming from a real place that is also offering commentary on the fiction that the world seems to be more consumed with than ever.

I think the White Rabbit montage is one of the most daring pieces of cinema I've seen this year.

Don't get me wrong, I love cool action as much as the next person, and I'm grateful I can always revisit the trilogy and watch action that still stands the test of time and holds up today for the most part. I'm also grateful that this film was made with such brutal artistic honesty.

If you're a fan who comes to the films for the action first, ideas second, I totally get an understand being disappointed. That's fine. For me, Matrix has always been a franchise where the action was my way in the door, but I stayed for the sci-fi and ideas. A hollow Matrix sequel with no new ideas or thought-provoking angles to it would've crushed me far more than a film that is content to be a 'solid' action film while offering a lot to chew on in terms of the sci-fi mythology and the social commentary.

For as much as people are crapping on this while praising Spider-Man....this movie still did something really cool action-wise in its third act and had two actors in their mid 50s leap off an actual skyscraper. Not even a movie with 3 Spider-Men (whose whole deal is leaping off buildings) attempted to do something that badass/practical. And having that be such a big moment for the two main characters at the climax made it more meaningful. So it earned its action movie cred there for me, even with some lackluster fight scenes.

As I said, the movie's about a filmmaker being forced to make an undesired she doesn't want to make. Eventually, she goes ahead and makes it. That's Matrix Resurrections.

 

[BatLobster]

As much as I love this universe and always wanted to spend a little more time in it, I'm really okay with it ending here, at least as far as movies go. I wouldn't mind a second Animatrix, a video game, or more Matrix comics...but I really don't know if I care to see another film series after seeing where Resurrections leaves off and I think the box office bomb of it all may prevent that anyway. I really just don't want to see this franchise turn into Terminator where they drag it out every 5 years for yet another watered down attempt at recapturing the magic.

This film very much felt like Lana Wachowski intentionally leaving the story in a place where it'd be very tricky to continue it and kind of daring WB to try, haha. That's what the entire last scene felt like to me.

I actually really enjoyed Bugs and the new crew, but I just don't know how you continue their story while somehow writing Neo and Trinity out of it. I'm really not sure how someone would be able to tell a story that feels essential without going full reboot with it and somewhat ignoring the ending of this film. I'd be up for it if there was a really brilliant idea that kept it fresh, but it seems pretty clear that the world just isn't asking for more Matrix sequels. At the very least, I think if it were to continue it should just be for the niche audience and not as any attempt to turn it into the biggest mainstream action franchise it once was. It's evolved past that and doesn't need to fill that role anymore IMO.

As I said, the movie's about a filmmaker being forced to make an undesired she doesn't want to make. Eventually, she goes ahead and makes it. That's Matrix Resurrections.

That's certainly one way to look at it, but I think that is also overlooking the genuine personal and heartfelt aspects of the film as well as the clever extensions of the mythology. I see it more as an artist embracing the inherent contradiction of what they're doing and trying to make something unique and interesting out of that. And possibly attempting to sabotage a studio's attempts to destroy her creation and undo the trilogy as well, haha.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I'm alright with just letting this one sit for a while. This one kind of killed my interest in more Matrix

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

What was the deal with the old Michael B. Jordan casting rumors? Obviously the new film went in quite a different direction with Keanu brought back by Lana than with the Penn script. They could hypothetically go back to that without a Wachowski on board.

Michael B. Jordan to Star in New Matrix Movie Directed by Lana Wachowski? (2019)

 

[BatLobster]

What was the deal with the old Michael B. Jordan casting rumors? Obviously the new film went in quite a different direction with Keanu brought back by Lana. than the Penn script. They could hypothetically go back to that without a Wachowski on board.

Michael B. Jordan to Star in New Matrix Movie Directed by Lana Wachowski? (2019)

I believe Penn claimed his movie was still in development after Lana's return was announced. No idea what the current status is though.

 

[Steyin]

This one is a hard reaction to explain. The film feels short, unnecessary, and underwhelming. It isn't as bad after a second viewing (the flow is much better and the film doesn't look as cheap), but it still leaves much to be desired. I think the major issue is that too many things need more fleshing out, followed by better designed action sequences. I get that this movie's "bullet time" was supposed to be the analyst's time manipulation, but the visuals of that moment are just off putting and kind of sloppy. They lack the Matrix flair. Everything else felt fine cast wise, but as much as I love Smith, his character was completely unnecessary in this film.

I've described this film to a friend in a similar feeling to the Terminator franchise; you want to see more of the real world/machine war conflict (future war in comparison), but this doesn't deliver. Not that that needs to be the main focus, but I question what this film does decide to focus on. There are also a few missed opportunities and weird edits, for example

Spoiler

when Trinity saves Neo, we should have seen her having the same One vision as Neo, seeing the Matrix code everywhere, and then fly away. Yet them flying away was just awkwardly cut and sudden, very poor editing IMO.

Overall this needed more story focus and a more competent visual/choreography/editing team. Sad to say as much as the Matrix will always peak my curiosity in where it will/could go, I just don't care anymore after this. If you are a die hard, you'll probably like it at a minimum, but if you're part of the GA you will loathe this.

5/10

 

[weezerspider]

As I said, the movie's about a filmmaker being forced to make an undesired she doesn't want to make. Eventually, she goes ahead and makes it. That's Matrix Resurrections.

I do not think that it is an entirely correct reading of the film. That is a valid reading of the first third or so of the film, yes. The beginning is Lana wrestling with the reason why one would make a Matrix 4. Is it because her narrative was taken from her and turned into something it’s not? Is it because she wants to reinvent action filmmaking again? Is it simply because WB has asked her for years and they finally are going to do it with or without her? Why is The Matrix special to her? The last two thirds of the film answer that question: it’s special because of Neo and Trinity’s relationship. That’s why it’s worth revisiting. It’s not a coincidence the film turns into a typical Matrix film once the goal becomes to free Trinity. Aside from the action, the last two thirds of this movie are a Matrix movie, not a crazy diversion from the series like some people want to claim. People claiming the whole movie are like that are too focused with the opening.


Even regarding the big reveal at the end: Trinity’s love brings Neo back to life during the climax of the very first Matrix. He brings her back to life in Matrix Reloaded. They go, hand in hand, to the machine city to end the war in Matrix Revolutions. Neo’s greatest accomplishments are with Trinity at his side. In the original film, it is revealed that The Oracle told Trinity she would fall in love with The One. Neo dies at Smith’s hand and is only resurrected when Trinity confesses her love to him. Therefore, it makes sense that “The One” is less Neo or Trinity, but the love between them, making the ending of Resurrections a perfectly reasonable conclusion from the original film, while also being a very sweet, sentimental ending.

 

[BatLobster]

@dark_b as someone who saw an early cut of this can you possibly elaborate on what was cut from the film?

None of the previous Matrix movies had any deleted scenes to my knowledge so I'd be curious if there could be a director's cut coming.

@weezerspider beautifully said! And spot on interpretation of Lana's intentions with the film IMO. The Matrix (and much of the Wachowskis work) has always been very "love conquers all" and I think there was a clear attempt to hammer that core idea home as the most important of all with an epilogue to the trilogy.

 

[#root]

This didn’t feel like the Matrix’s return to the big screen. It felt like a pilot for a TV show based on a movie. Especially with all the footage they used from the original trilogy. Like there’s a lot of familiar stuff but also some interesting, new stuff is being introduced but that’s all being held back so that they can explore it more later on in the series. I feel like the main reason we got this movies is because Lana wanted to give Neo and Trinity a happy ending and that’s what we got so… yeah. Some of the meta stuff was interesting especially when they were trying to reacquaint Neo with the reality but I think overall the execution wasn’t great.

The cast was terrific though. Especially Jessica Henwick who was the highlight and could’ve easily carried this movie on her own. I really wanted to see more of Bugs and was disappointed with her screen time. And it’s a shame that Yahya and Jonathan also had such weird roles where their characters just appear and disappear as needed. Both of them did a good job but I think they could’ve done a lot more if they had better roles.

 

[Doctor Jones]

The response again makes me question fans relationship to their favorite franchises. What did people see in the original classic movies and what did they get out of it? The Matrix is a great movie, but why do people love it? Was it just the action? The visuals? That's ok. You don't need to be an articulate film critic to love or hate a movie. I'm not saying you have to like this movie or are wrong for disliking it, I just wonder why you dislike it.

I find it odd why Afterlife gets a more positive reception than this among fans? Because Ghosbusters Afterlife is a hollow film with all the superficial aspects of the feeling of a Ghosbusters movie. And this isn't. If you like something like Afterlife better, even if I disagree about it, you're not wrong, all well and good, but I just ask for a good reason why you dislike something like this if you're going to get critical. What exactly pisses off people about this movie and why is it considered bad? Again, if you dislike it, fine, but what good reason is there that isn't tangible details? And disregarding the fans is not a criticism. Fans seem to be caught up in tangible details and are entitled to their franchises.

These days fandom has been dictating how movies are made with these tangible details. Creative decisions are made by fans who have no understanding of the thing they love or by reactive, cautious corporations wanting to placate out of fear of alienating these people. Fans are being catered to too much. And you get really hollow movies without any staying power. There needs to be a balance. Get a filmmaker with a great vision who cares about the material with something to say, whether they're a fan or not. More Sam Raimi's and Peter Jackson's and less Jason Reitman's and J.J. Abrams'.

Nothing inherently wrong with being a fan of something and wanting to make a movie that pleases people, as in the past, its helped movies go from Batman and Robin to Spider-Man. But we've reached the other extreme end of the spectrum in film history where movies/creative decisions are being made out of fear or ignorance of the thing you love and being a fan is mistaken as a personality trait and credential. And it makes me sincerely question the foundations of the whole thing. Usually I hate discussing fandom, but I bring it up because this line of thinking is what's making modern movies and it sucks.

 

[Spider-Fan]

The response again makes me question fans relationship to their favorite franchises. What did people see in the original classic movies and what did they get out of it? The Matrix is a great movie, but why do people love it? Was it just the action? The visuals? That's ok. You don't need to be an articulate film critic to love or hate a movie. I'm not saying you have to like this movie or are wrong for disliking it, I just wonder why you dislike it.

I find it odd why Afterlife gets a more positive reception than this among fans? Because Ghosbusters Afterlife is a hollow film with all the superficial aspects of the feeling of a Ghosbusters movie. And this isn't. If you like something like Afterlife better, even if I disagree about it, you're not wrong, all well and good, but I just ask for a good reason why you dislike something like this if you're going to get critical. What exactly pisses off people about this movie and why is it considered bad? Again, if you dislike it, fine, but what good reason is there that isn't tangible details? And disregarding the fans is not a criticism. Fans seem to be caught up in tangible details and are entitled to their franchises.

These days fandom has been dictating how movies are made with these tangible details. Creative decisions are made by fans who have no understanding of the thing they love or by reactive, cautious corporations wanting to placate out of fear of alienating these people. Fans are being catered to too much. And you get really hollow movies without any staying power. There needs to be a balance. Get a filmmaker with a great vision who cares about the material with something to say, whether they're a fan or not. More Sam Raimi's and Peter Jackson's and less Jason Reitman's and J.J. Abrams'.

Nothing inherently wrong with being a fan of something and wanting to make a movie that pleases people, as in the past, its helped movies go from Batman and Robin to Spider-Man. But we've reached the other extreme end of the spectrum in film history where movies/creative decisions are being made out of fear or ignorance of the thing you love. And it makes me sincerely question the foundations of the whole thing. Usually I hate discussing fandom, but I bring it up because this line of thinking is what's making modern movies and it sucks.

I didn't see Ghostbusters Afterlife, but for me when it comes to how much I enjoyed I movie, look at the story, the overall style, etc. In the case of this movie, I liked some of what it was trying to do, but it didn't come together for me. Honestly the over reliance on nostalgia became a turn off for me with this one. I was watching the 1st half of the movie and I was into it, and then in the 2nd half it just felt like an inferior rehash of the series to me. I just don't see why I would watch this movie instead of watching the much better original 3 films. Which again, that reaction disappoints me cause I love the original 3 films and I walked into this one ready to love it.

In regards to Ghostbusters, since I didn't see it, my speculative answer would be when you aim for a double and you hit a double, then you walk away happy because you accomplished what you set out to do, and fans got what they expected. I do think this movie wanted to be a home run. I give Lana all the credit for that. Unfortunately I think the movie ended up a single. When you take a big swing and don't accomplish it, then you walk away disappointed. It is one thing to get mediocre food at McDonald's when the food is cheap and you expect fast food, and another when you buy a 50 dollar steak and it is overcooked and the sides are cold.

That is my take.

 

[TheVileOne]

I'm alright with just letting this one sit for a while. This one kind of killed my interest in more Matrix

All arguing aside Spider-Fan, I do love your Celestial avatar.

 

[Spider-Fan]

All arguing aside Spider-Fan, I do love your Celestial avatar.

Thanks! That makes 2 of us lol

 

[BatLobster]

@Doctor Jones

I may be the rare fan that enjoyed both Ghostbusters Afterlife and The Matrix Resurrections, haha. Allow me to explain my viewpoint though.

The main thing is just that they're two entirely different franchises that represent very different things to me. Ghostbusters was always a unique blend of supernatural sci-fi and comedy, something I strongly associate with early childhood-- and I feel like Afterlife got the tone right while having a very different spin on the franchise. Even admitting that it does become very much a retread in the third act, it had earned enough good will from me at that point to go on the ride and enjoy it. I also felt Jason Reitman's personal touch as a filmmaker and just found it to be a well-crafted little movie with good performances and character chemistry. It's a simple pleasure, but I enjoyed the film in spite of all the excessive Easter eggs and nods-- not because of them. I will also admit that I think after seeing what Sony attempted with the franchise with the 2016 film and how misguided that was (not in terms of the female leads, just in terms of doing a modern comedy style remake), it was refreshing to see a more grounded, smaller scale take on a franchise that also linked back to the thing I cared about in the first place. The stakes of the film felt personal for me. End of the day, I felt that the love in that movie was genuine, because it's literally son of the original director making the film. I think we are allowed to crave a little comfort food sometimes. I don't think it's useful to think of the audience as a monolith-- as a collective or as individuals. We all like different things for different reasons.

On the other hand, The Matrix is a lot more than just a fun action franchise to me. It's a through and through sci-fi mythology that I've always held in high regard, and it's a springboard to think about or discuss some of the biggest ideas that humanity has grappled with. The first film is basically an intro to philosophy course. I've read countless essays about the films and even based a college paper or two on the films myself. As much as I adore the action scenes in the original films, the primary thing I was looking for in a new film was big, ambitious, challenging ideas. I won't say the film exceeded my wildest expectations there, but I was also not disappointed and felt it had a lot to say.

 

[DyeLorean]

I find it odd why Afterlife gets a more positive reception than this among fans? Because Ghosbusters Afterlife is a hollow film with all the superficial aspects of the feeling of a Ghosbusters movie. And this isn't. If you like something like Afterlife better, even if I disagree about it, you're not wrong, all well and good, but I just ask for a good reason why you dislike something like this if you're going to get critical. What exactly pisses off people about this movie and why is it considered bad? Again, if you dislike it, fine, but what good reason is there that isn't tangible details? And disregarding the fans is not a criticism. Fans seem to be caught up in tangible details and are entitled to their franchises.

I think Resurrections tried to have its cake and eat it too. The meta stuff is easily the most interesting aspect and the one that showed the most engagement out of me, the first half promised to do something different which I was all in. Matrix and its sequels did that. Took swings, went places.
And then all of that kinda shifts altogether for a light version of the Matrix stuff we know and like, but... clunky and cheap. Same things and beats, but sh*ttier. It doesn't help that they keep showing flashes of the previous movies. Is like they wanted us to compare. And I did compare. And it did not fare well for this one. In fact, it made me wanna go and rewatch the other ones because this one felt incredibly weak.
There are interesting things, don't get me wrong, even the real world stuff with the ramifications of Revolutions' ending, Neo and Trinity's relationship, all of that is fine. But for the life of me I can't understand why do Matrix-y stuff if you're not gonna put effort and quality into it. That's why I didn't like it overall. The meta-talk about nostalgia and sequels and whatnot was like a cheap excuse for not making it better. Simply put, I didn't feel the heart and soul put into this one as much I did in the previous ones.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I do not think that it is an entirely correct reading of the film. That is a valid reading of the first third or so of the film, yes. The beginning is Lana wrestling with the reason why one would make a Matrix 4. Is it because her narrative was taken from her and turned into something it’s not? Is it because she wants to reinvent action filmmaking again? Is it simply because WB has asked her for years and they finally are going to do it with or without her? Why is The Matrix special to her? The last two thirds of the film answer that question: it’s special because of Neo and Trinity’s relationship. That’s why it’s worth revisiting. It’s not a coincidence the film turns into a typical Matrix film once the goal becomes to free Trinity. Aside from the action, the last two thirds of this movie are a Matrix movie, not a crazy diversion from the series like some people want to claim. People claiming the whole movie are like that are too focused with the opening.


Even regarding the big reveal at the end: Trinity’s love brings Neo back to life during the climax of the very first Matrix. He brings her back to life in Matrix Reloaded. They go, hand in hand, to the machine city to end the war in Matrix Revolutions. Neo’s greatest accomplishments are with Trinity at his side. In the original film, it is revealed that The Oracle told Trinity she would fall in love with The One. Neo dies at Smith’s hand and is only resurrected when Trinity confesses her love to him. Therefore, it makes sense that “The One” is less Neo or Trinity, but the love between them, making the ending of Resurrections a perfectly reasonable conclusion from the original film, while also being a very sweet, sentimental ending.

It's comments like that that articulate why I really enjoy this movie. It does feel deeply personal in every way, and I think that's something that all great artists do, whether others like the end result or not. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people don't care about those things, especially the ones who are claiming it's "dog****".

But I'm telling you, let things calm down for a while, this movie is gonna get reevaluated by a lot of people.