Matrix Revolutions

[poliphilo]

The problem with the Matrix trilogy is that most of the story got used up in the first movie. The Wachowskis claim to have always intended a trilogy, but I'm having a hard time believing them.

I've not seen Reloaded (I understand I'm not missing much) but Revolutions is just an extended battle sequence. It's beautifully imagined and executed, but I want more. With all that time to play around with, you'd think they might have developed the characters a bit. Zion v the machines- why should I care when the human beings are scarcely more interesting than those (rather wonderful) steel octopii?

Nemo was quite affecting when he was human and vulnerable, but once he turns into Superman he's dull. I liked the idea of a Geek Messiah, but lose the geekiness and you lose the thing that made him distinct from all those other two-fisted rocket men. He's dwarfed by the CGI and so is everyone else. Morpheus stands around and does nothing in particular. Trinity gets to flash her cheekbones. After the smartness and trippyness of the first film, it's disappointing to find that the fate of the world ultimately depends on gun-play and fisticuffs. What started as a fascinating intellectual conundrum ends as a B western.

I always suspected that Dark City (which has a similar premise and which came out at the same time as the Matrix and got swamped by it) was the better movie- now I'm sure.

Comments

[silent-mouse.livejournal.com]

I was always amazed by how quickly those movies' superheros adapted to being a superhero once they found out. It is always shown like this: one minute you're insecure and don't know what you're doing and next second you're so confident and powerful. I always felt that if for some crazy reason I would turn out to be a superhero, it would take me at least couple of days, if not months, to get used to the idea and learn not to be insecure. So I always identified strongly with first part's Neo, when he's trying to fit into the role that was forced on him, saying to himself "There's no spoon" while running. He just looked believable (not to mention the plot that made sense).

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I was always amazed by how quickly those movies' superheros adapted to being a superhero once they found out.

Funny that I never noticed this before, but you're so right. I just never thought it out.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

On the strength of his performance in the first movie I've been going round telling people that Keanu is a pretty good actor. I loved the otherworldy quality he brought to the part. By the time we get to Revolutions that has dissapeared and he's just a guy in shades.

[silent-mouse.livejournal.com]

I fully agree.
And when we watched Revolutions in cinema, people were laughing. Even in supposed-to-be-touching scene when Trinity dies. It felt like a cruel joke to make those actors (who can do great a job, as we have seen) to participate in such a stupid and annoying movie. But I suppose they had obligations of some sort..

Next to Jaffa Gate of the Old City there are two tombs - of the architects of the Old City walls. The sultan ordered them killed so they would only be known as makers of a great thing and would not ruin their reputation with ordinary projects. (Or so one of the legends goes.) I wonder sometimes if that wasn't a great idea (albeit a little bit cruel) ;)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the Wachowskis will do next. Will they salvage their reputations or continue their decline?

I remember the original Matrix having a sense of humour. It was whacky. But there is no humour in Revolutions and so we laugh at it, not with it.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

By the time we get to Revolutions that has dissapeared and he's just a guy in shades.

I think he gets by on his pretty face - which, I suppose owing to my advanced age, I don't find so pretty. I literally cannot stand him, but I have to admit the first Matrix movie was okay. I've not seen any of the rest of them

I saw Dark City - I think I was one of the 10 people who did, here in this area. I'd like to see it again, I think a lot of it got past me.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I thought Keanu was perfect for the Matrix. He has this fey quality. I can't say I've seen him in much else.