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Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Movie Review: Matrix Revolutions
By Arianne Blanche M. Ramirez
I was lucky enough to catch the world premier of Matrix Revolutions, the last of the Matrix trilogy. Actually, I watched it in Cebu, which was very fortunate since I heard that some of my friends here in Manila missed it due to hoards and hoards of people, who, like me, just couldn't wait to see Neo beat the crap out of Agent Smith.
After A LONG time of waiting in line and then waiting inside the theater, the lights dimmed and everyone, including this irritatingly noisy guy in front of me, entered the Matrix.
The film started exactly where its predecessor Matrix Reloaded left off. Agent Smith is outside the Matrix, machines are literally drilling their way to Zion and Neo has to save the day. Before doing his ultimate mission, though, Morpheus and Trinity need to save him from limbo, a place between the Matrix and the real world, which is controlled by the Trainman who works for The Merovingian, the French guy.
After consulting the oracle, Morpheus, Trinity and Serif go on a gung-ho mission to force the Merovingian into freeing Neo. It actually reminded me of the bank scene in part one, the one where Neo and Trinity rescue Morpheus except that, this time, the enemies were walking on walls. Trinity also displays her signature moves here.
Ok, so how did Neo go into limbo? Well, you've gotta check out the game for that. The game would also explain how Niobe, Ghost and Sparks got the package in the post office and survived the massacre which destroyed more than 90% of Zion's hovercrafts. I have the game and have just started playing and, right now, I'm like stuck at this level where I have to navigate my way to an exit. Guess I'm just not as good as Niobe, who, by the way, is the best hovercraft pilot both in and out of the Matrix.
Anyway, Zion's stand was very dramatic and is a feast for the sci-fi fans' eyes. I have never been more scared of a war before. Actually, I've always looked at Matrix as the sequel to Terminator and there's nothing scarier than a soft-bodied human trying to fight the metallic machines. Here, you can also see the bravery of the people of Zion-yes, they can also fight, not as good as Neo but just as determined.
Another standout is the fight between Agent Smith and Neo. You've got to admit, Smith is one of those villains you can't help but love. Hugo Weaving is just marvelous! In case you don't know, Hugo is also the soft-spoken elven king Elrond in Lord Of the Rings. Again, this scene is a feast for sci-fi fans' eyes.
As I've said in my review on Matrix Reloaded, to fully understand the trilogy, you REALLY have to watch "The Animatrix." Remember the kid in part two, played by Clayton Watson? The one who idolizes Neo too much? He's also the kid in part three who reloads bullets into the mech of the General. In Animatrix, it was explained how he got himself unplugged. He's a special kid really because unlike the other rebels, he got himself unplugged. Meaning: minus the red pill. Anyway, this kid would play a very crucial part in helping save Zion in the Revolutions.
Keanu Reeves as Neo was just too sexy. Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus was as tough as ever although you see his vulnerability in this movie. Jada Pinkett-Smith as Niobe was just exquisite and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity...well...I still wish they got Angelina Jolie for this role. Anyway, the guy who really stands out for me, acting-wise, is Hugo Weaving as the menacing Agent Smith coz he was just that...menacing. He only has to smile at you and you'd be like cowering in fear. The guy who was like possessed by Agent Smith was great, too. Damn! He acted exactly like Hugo, I mean it's like you're seeing Agent Smith.
I've read and seen some movie reviews that totally lambaste this movie. I heard Ryan Agoncillo say the Wachowski brothers should have had more time to think about how to deliver this third installment. In his own term, "parang minadali." Honestly, I think that's really unfair for the Wachowski brothers since I think Matrix is really like a labor of love for them. I must say, I would really bow down before Mr. Agoncillo if he can give me a better conclusion for this trilogy. Oh, by the way, the guy was all praises for the movie "Noon at Ngayon" so maybe we just have different tastes.
Anyway, people's complaints about this third installment are:
1. It didn't deliver as much as the first two movies. True, compared to the other two, Matrix Revolutions doesn't have this mysterious edge to it but that's also because the first two movies, plus the Animatrix, plus the video game, answered those mysteries. We all knew since Matrix 1 that a war between Zion and the machines was inevitable and was actually already looming over everyone. We expected a war; Matrix Revolutions gave us war, really, what else is left to do?
2. It doesn't explain everything; I read a review written by this guy who said that until now, he still doesn't understand a lot of things, like what Neo really is, well, I think he can't blame the Wachowski brothers for that since everything was stated clearly. Neo is like a glitch in the system, it was mentioned several times by the oracle and even by the architect himself. Ok, the thing about this movie is that you really have to listen to what they say and read between the lines. This guy I know said the Merovingian just suddenly disappeared from the picture. Well, I pointed out that when Smith caught up with Sati and Serif, he told the former that she's the last of the exiles, meaning: he already got to the French guy who was like the king of the exiles or programs who have no use anymore. Ok, so how did Smith overpower the powerful Merovingian? Simple, because he is the alter ego of Neo, Smith is the yin to Neo's yang. Ok, to make it simpler, as the system is all about balance, Neo's existence had to be balanced by having someone like him. So, as Neo grows stronger, Smith becomes stronger and vice versa.
3. The lines were cheesy. Ok, I must admit, as much as I love this trilogy, the lines in Matrix Revolutions just suck! I mean we all know Trinity loves Neo and Neo goes for really older women because he loves Trinity, too, so why did they always have to remind us of their oh-so-undying love? It's like everyone in this movie just morphed into poets. I just don't get it when this happens.
Anyway, if you'll ask me, Matrix Revolutions is really worth watching more than once. It's a great ending to a great trilogy. |
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