After all these years, Lana Wachowski takes us where it all started—into the ‘Matrix.’ 20 years ago, we escaped the Matrix with various questions in our minds. But as time passes, the questions obscure; the makers intend to give us the blue pill to get away from speculations after the original trilogy’s ending. But the glitch in the Matrix occurs again, and Lana Wachowski has to offer the red pill again to relive the ‘Matrix’ with “The Matrix Resurrections.” Despite millennial nostalgia, this red pill from the fourth installment is pretty hard to swallow.
Positioning Itself as a Sequel to the Earlier Trilogy
Starting 20 years forward from “The Matrix Revolutions,” “The Matrix Resurrections” demands to become a sequel to the original trilogy. But the makers seem confused between capitalizing on old nostalgia and the obligation to take the story forward in time. This dilemma can be seen in the dialogues between the characters, often mockingly speaking about re-creating or rebooting the same old stories with different names and places, yet it attracts the masses out of their good old memories. This formulaic capitalizing mentality conflicts with the artistic value and obligation to create something original. As a consequence of this tug of war, “The Matrix Resurrections” hangs in the limbo of in-between.
The nostalgia factor creates intertextuality among the other films, shrinking its original concept into nothing. It recreates old scenes, gives old perks, and reprises old characters, giving an astounding high to relive the beloved universe. But after a certain point of time, it becomes exhausting. Though some concepts are reasonable, it doesn’t matter as before they appear on-screen, the movie gets into its sickbed.
In terms of the technicalities also, the film becomes too dull. The original film’s groundbreaking action sequences, which are still revered, get diminished with “The Matrix Resurrections.” It stalled in the same place, where it was 20 years ago, with no innovativeness. Even worse, the presentation and design of them are horrendous. No highs and lows, the scenes go entirely flat as if the camera is placed and the actors are asked to throw their limbs. The unnecessary slow motions and continuity errors exaggerate these flaws even further.
A scene from “The Matrix Resurrections.” Photo: Warner Bros.
A Film that Anchors Itself in the Past, with no True Way Forward
Keanu Reeves reprises the role of Neo with his new “John Wick” hairstyle and beard alongside Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and Jada Pinkett Smith from the original trilogy. As the film is overpowered with expositions, they have nothing much to offer from the acting point of view. But to see them back in the ‘Matrix’ is enjoyable. New faces such as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Henwick, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas provide the supporting roles. Though all the roles are essential, apart from Harris and Henwick, others have nothing much to offer.
For the last two years (after the pandemic broke out), we have all lived a life which seems false. It’s like we are high on the blue pills forgetting the truth, and imprisoned in the ‘Matrix.’ So, I expect “The Matrix Resurrections” will give us a second chance to take the red pill to open our eyes of knowledge, escaping this seeming falsity. But rather than offering that, Lana Wachowski gives us a hybrid pill combining both qualities into one. Instead of freeing our minds, this becomes a half truth, partly fiction; a walking contradiction sort of thing.
“The Matrix Resurrections” is available to stream on HBO Max or view in theaters.
