Okay, let me get this out of the way. I’m not a huge fan “The Matrix” franchise. I liked the first film but don’t hold it up as a classic the way many do. The second was a movie of three absolutely breathtaking action sequences and not much else. The third installment was a mess and I don’t remember a thing about it. Now eighteen years later they’ve decided to make a fourth film. It begs the question, do they actually have a meaningful story to tell that makes it worth reviving the franchise or is this a quick and easy cash grab?
Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith all step back into their leather-clad action roles. Joining them are new faces Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Daniel Bernhardt, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Christina Ricci. After several days of Warner Brothers hype, the first trailer dropped today and it shows a lot of snappy images and stylish combat. But the Wachowskis have always be able to do that. It’s their storytelling that has sunk so many of their movies. How will this one turn out? We’ll find out soon.
“The Matrix Resurrections” opens December 22nd in theaters and on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.
Keith & the Movies 
I’m an enormous fan of the original movie. It revolutionized visual effects and definitely had that “east-meets-west” vibe with the kung-fu sequences mixed in with the western-style action. Do some of the visual effects hold up as well 22 years later? Not the slow-motion, I can tell you that. THAT hasn’t aged well. The problem with the second two movies is the writing. The Wachowskis tried to be more clever than they really were, and while the writing in the first movie was outstanding, the Wachowskis tried to implement more philosophical mumbo-jumbo to sound smarter. By the time the third movie came around, the narrative was a complete train-wreck. I enjoyed the third movie, but it was not a good sequel.
I was not actually excited when it was announced that a new Matrix movie was being made. The way the third movie ended was a total disaster that left me with more questions than answers. But, I did check out the trailer for this new one and color me impressed. It looks visually interesting and seeing Keanu Reeves as John Wick as Neo is pretty cool. My concern is that the writers aren’t the most experienced and that guy behind the excellent fight scenes of the trilogy, Yuen Woo-Ping, isn’t a part of this production. So, The Matrix Resurrections has a few things going against it. Also, the last time a science fiction franchise had a third sequel with the name Resurrection attached to it was Alien, and I think we all know how THAT one turned out. They missed the perfect marketing opportunity by not calling the film The Matrix: Somehow Neo and Trinity Returned. They’d better explain that so we don’t end up with another Palpatine-returning-from-the-dead-without-an- explanation situation.
They definitely have some ends to tie up (and some ends to unknot and then tie up. I’m curious about this movie more than excited for it. But I’m definitely seeing it on day one.
Yep I’m up for this,whatever else it will be visually and sonically stunning.
I think that will be its big strength. I can’t imagine this looking anything less than amazing.
It’s enough for me. The matrix plots were always mind boggling, I’m ok with that.
Yep. It will be enough for me to watch it. At least once. Not sure after that.
Should’ve called it The Matrix: Insurrections. Have Neo take on a 200+ strong group of Q Anon supporters and Trumpies and bap them over the head with that big pole like he did in Reloaded.
I don’t know man, I’m an ardent supporter of all the Matrix films. I geeked out and even watched the Animatrix and also enjoyed that. I’m not one who usually gets so into the world of a movie to the point where I must find all media related to it, but the Wachowski’s just could do no wrong for me with what they created. The Matrix Revolutions is undeniably the messiest of the three but it’s freaking epic. Except for the Baby-Faced Buddha Super-boss. I didn’t care for that so much.
As for a fourth film? I’m really actually exasperated. This story is done. I mean there was a hint in the exchange on the bench between the Oracle and the Architect about peace being a fleeting thing, but that was an open-ended coda that I didn’t really think was worth revisiting. We’ll see though. I’m both hopeful with the returning cast but also ultra-confused.
That’s one of the things that’s bugging me: Is Resurrections going to retcon certain story elements from the previous trilogy, or is it going off in a completely new direction?
That’s a really good question
I loved the Matrix movies. Glad that some of the original cast is back. I see they still have a Morpheus-like character, but it isn’t Fishburne; and they have Mr. Smith-like characters but none are Hugo Weaving. That’s a real disappointment however I still want to see it.
It will be interesting to see if they can pull it off. It’s funny though, every time I watch the trailer and see Keanu all I see is a John Wick! 😂
LOL. Let’s face it, we’ve never seen them both in the same room together…
I do love the first film as that is a movie where if you had seen it back in 1999 or 2000. You know how influential it was. The sequels were disappointing as I’m tempted to revisit them in anticipation for this new film. Still, the trailer is cool as fuck as I loved the usage of “White Rabbit” and I hope it’s better than the last 2 films.
Of yes. I remember. I actually saw the second film three times in the theater for its three amazing action sequences alone! LOL
Pass
YES!!!! Matrix has always been my favourite even though its sequels didn’t live up to the promise of the first . As long as the movies have Neo, I’d follow him follow the white rabbit ! Fingers crossed, it lives up to the hype.
I hope it does. Hype can be a scary thing. My fingers are crossed too.
I’m the only person I know that loved Matrix Revolutions from the first time I saw it and even more since. It’s one of those movies where my theory about it makes it more exciting than maybe what the filmmakers intended. Yeah, I’ll be there day 1, and I’m hoping for the best.
Note: I really loved Cloud Atlas too 😳
I’m giving Revolutions a rewatch before this comes out. I want to give it another fresh chance. As for Cloud Atlas…. 😉
I will definitely be watching. I think all three of the Matrix films are brilliant! However this trailer has me slightly worried that we will receive a nostalgia film and will do little to push the Matrix story into new areas.
That’s a reasonable concern. That’s always something to worry about. That’s the same concern I have with the Top Gun sequel. Those trailers tickle a nostalgic itch, but they look to be copying all the more “iconic” scenes from the original movie. I hope Matrix steers clear of that.
Sequels for the most visually impacting blockbusters like The Matrix have often been at risk for lacking a sufficiently divergent impact from the original. The first sequel’s cliffhanger gave me enough hope but I was disappointed too. I have no commitment for this newest Matrix film. But almost twenty years later should be enough time for the powers that be to finally learn from past mistakes.
I hope so. You make a good point. Enough time has passed that maybe they have a better idea of what would work as a sequel. Fingers crossed.
For the inspirational messages and allegories that worldwide fans can still appreciate in The Matrix, I can trust that much influence to find a good foothold.
Hey Keith!
Tell you what man, it’s definitely a decisive series, to be sure. I find that no matter if you like or hate the first movie, that it’s still studied by scholars, discussed about in open forums, and even broken down in theological essays. That’s not an opinion, that’s fact. I, for one, am one that finds it both a technological success, and massively entertaining, and it’s one of the few 100%-rated films I’ve ever given out. It also initialized my interest in martial arts in cinema and made me even choreograph my own stuff. As for the sequels – the third isn’t that great, no, but it needed to be told to finish the story – the 2nd is just plain old fun. Flat, yes, useless, sure – but I love it just the same.
I love when movies have that kind of resonance. I really do hope this one sticks its landing. I will say this about the second movie, its action scenes are still among some of best and most fun I’ve had. That highway scene is incredible.