The Matrix Resurrections goes back to the integral source code that made the original so captivating. Free will and the pursuit of true love are the existential themes that drive an ass-kicking, action-packed narrative. Version 4.0 unloads a mountain of exposition. It takes the established lore in a completely unexpected direction. The Matrix Resurrections is both keenly introspective and forward-thinking at the same time. I was enthralled, but readily admit that fandom may be divided.
Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is on the verge of another nervous breakdown. The famed programmer behind “The Matrix” video game trilogy has been tasked to create a sequel to the mammoth hit. His business partner (Jonathan Groff) pushes him about the company’s bottom line. He’s constantly afflicted by disturbing and bizarre visions that seem to warp the fabric of reality. His analyst (Neil Patrick Harris) provides a steady stream of blue pill medication to keep the hallucinations in check.
Thomas Anderson’s only respite is his daily trip to a nearby cafe. He times his visits to get fleeting glances of another patron. There’s something about Tiffany (Carrie-Anne Moss), an attractive, but seemingly normal wife and mother that draws him to her. Thomas soon discovers that he’s also being watched. A blue-haired girl (Jessica Henwick) and her mysterious accomplice (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) believe he is the “one” they have been seeking for a long time.
Battle lines that were distinctly drawn become blurred. The black and white, man versus machines battle skews into gray territory. There’s a seismic shift to the storyline that some audiences may find difficult to accept. The film understands this outcry and addresses it humorously. The game company uses a focus group to quantify The Matrix’s appeal. This tongue-in-cheek approach adds a dose of levity to a franchise that had previously been consumed by darkness.
The Matrix Resurrections won’t blow you away with groundbreaking visual effects. We’ve seen bullet-time used ad nauseam for two decades. Director/co-writer Lana Wachowski clearly understands this point and doesn’t rehash old glory. The production team incorporates a different aspect of the bullet-time technique. No spoilers, but it’s another clever nod and wink to the blockbuster action that defined the trilogy. Thankfully there’s also no cartoonish CGI fighting like the playground scene in The Matrix Reloaded. The Matrix Resurrections sticks with slick wirework, wicked martial arts choreography, and ferocious gunplay. Action junkies will get a fix and a half here.
Neo became the “one” because Trinity loved and believed in him. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are electric together on screen. The fire that burned between them is reignited with rocket fuel. Some may find fault in the new characters, recasting of old favorites, and the radical shift in storyline. But no one can say that Neo and Trinity together again isn’t spectacular. Stick around after the credits. The Matrix Resurrections is produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Venus Castina Productions. It will be released on December 22nd concurrently in theaters from Warner Bros. and streaming on HBO Max.