'The Matrix Resurrections' Proves You Can Sometimes Trust Dudes Who Don't Wear Socks
On jacking back in like it's 1999.
The Matrix Resurrections is interesting to look at, but too many exposition dumps makes it hard to follow. The film works best when it concentrates on Neo and Trinity and there’s new concepts being explored but a lot of rehashing from previous instalments leaves you hanging for more.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Jada Pinkett Smith
*SPOILERS BELOW*
🍿 At the end of the last instalment, ‘The Matrix Revolutions’, Neo and Trinity are both dead, the Matrix is rebooted and apparently everyone who wants to leave the Matrix can! It was neatly wrapped up, even if quite unsatisfying. This leads to the sequel having to literally RESURRECT Neo and Trinity for this new movie.
🍿 ‘Resurrections’ posits questions about mundane life and our repeating loops of existence - set 60 years after ‘Revolutions’, Neo aka Thomas Anderson (Reeves) is a middle aged/boomery video game designer unsure if his reality is real or a mental construct. He’s also a super responsible and a mature adult, who attends therapy! The first half is super meta - Anderson works with a shameless capitalist (Groff in boat shoes sans socks!) who tells him Warner Bros. wants him to create a sequel to his Matrix video game series. (lol)😆😂.
🍿 A lot of crazy stuff happens as per Matrix films, i.e. mind bending reality, a few shoot outs, people putting their arms through mirrors, lots of leather and sunnies and coloured pills!
It’s also a bit of this:
Then the second half kinda melds into old territory and plot points and old frenemies like Niobe (Pinkett Smith).
Among the most glaring is a rescue mission to free Neo from his human pod again JUST LIKE in 1999’s ‘The Matrix’, which is basically like watching Peter Parker get bitten by a spider in 2002, then again in 2012! 🕷🕸
🍿 The love story between Neo and Trinity is the heart of ‘Resurrections’ and the film is at its best when the story builds on them and their relationship. Sometimes we all need a happy ending so I am all for resurrecting both because every one deserves a second chance at love (within reason).❤️❤️❤️
🍿 I also love the concept of Neo and Trinity being resurrected as a basis for the new Matrix, which is based on fear and desire and wish this had been explored a bit more. The Analyst (Harris) as the manager of the Matrix basically manipulates people’s feelings to keep them in line. (Human beings will believe the “craziest shit!” he says! Which is quite astute.)
When the film is lucid and clear in its ideas, it’s pretty killer, like in this scene:
🍿 Anyway, in conclusion, it’s worth a watch if you’re a fan of ‘The Matrix’ films, and like Keanu Reeves!! It’s also imho, better than the sequels, mostly on the strength of nostalgia, some precise ideas and Neo and Trinity, but suffers from similar problems as ‘Reloaded’ and ‘Revolutions’ on too much exposition and a confusing, convoluted plot.
2.5 leather coats out of five.
😎😎🕶
For the record the best Keanu Reeves movie imho is still ‘Definitely Be My Maybe’, while the most relatable one is ‘John Wick’ because 🐶🐶🐶. If this ever changes I’ll let you know!
Thanks so much for reading!!! I hope you have a wonderful new year!
Warmest virtual hugs
frankie’s MILKSHAKE CLUB