IR Film Review: THE MATRIX - RESURRECTIONS [Warner Bros]
The trigger point of "The Matrix" has always been what is reality and what are we? There was also a dexterity of approach that mirrored both with an intensity and with a coldness. There are some ideas in "The Matrix: Resurrections" that are quite undeniable but it doesn'‘t push it to the nth degree. It has to do with time but it also has to do with becoming too meta and reflexive. The set up makes sense but the visuals don't quite match what we should be seeing. Director Lana Wachowski has the ideas but her use of action and framing is so undeniably chaotic as compared to say her sister Lily (formerly Andy) that it would have been better with them together. That angle is sorely lacking here. The progression beyond the set up when it starts going has some great potential but is not fully realized. Again, it might have worked better as a series but the budget probably would not support it.
The idea of what Neo becomes or the reflected representation makes sense and was likely influenced by many years of therapy. The mind screw of what The Matrix can be has infinite possibilities in our new world. The way Lana Wachowski sees it has merit and there are some slight moments of brilliance but no great aha moments where the reality of what it is peaks through. The aspect of loss and choice within the love story is explored but not necessarily so. There are reflections of the past but it doesn't really give the impression of what was lost and comes off more at times as an art installation. The Wachowskis established this world. Maybe Bill Pope, the original DP had more say but despite how badly the rave-like Zion was handled in previous Matrix films, some more aspects of style and better camera work and filmic structure to balance with the story would have been appreciated.
The action sequences in close quarters seem chaotic and not frenetic. The film is mostly shot handheld and the wide mags don't influence scale most of the time. The main large scale sequence feels more like The Walking Dead than the climax of say "Reloaded". While the love story comes off more grounded and the ideas have relevance especially to their evolved state, they arrive indomitably short. Keanu Reeves is older and has to have that weariness but the explanation of his inclusion as well as Trinity (although very interesting in concept) is porous in plot holes. It tries to make you think but its ultimate takeaway although hopeful doesn't come really at all in line with the mythos.
Ancillary characters try different things. Many are forgettable. Neil Patrick Harris fares well but doesn't come off as good as he could have (his Starship Troopers character had more dread). The person that fares the best in many ways is Jessica Henrick as Bugs who turned down a role in "Shang Chi" to do this. The opening of the movie tries to show different set up trajectories and while again some of it is dynamic, it too seems disconnected "The Matrix: Resurrections" has some good ideas but its overly meta set up comes off as too inside with not enough enlightenment thrown in despite some interesting in-roads for Trinity and Neo. C
By Tim Wassberg
