Have you forgotten The Architect’s speech from "Reloaded?" Have you memorized the innumerable side stories and interwoven plot lines from the first two films? I can tell you now there’s no way to understand this final movie without a good working knowledge of at least the second film. Even then, you’re a better person than I if you can say you totally understand every nuance in "Revolutions."
"Revolutions" jumps right into the story. Neo (Keanu Reeves) awakens in a train station, a pit stop between the Matrix and the Machine World. Trapped there as his body lies comatose aboard the Mjolnir, Neo is powerless to leave without permission from The Trainman (Bruce Spence), who takes his orders from Merovingian (Lambert Wilson).
Meanwhile Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) enlist the aid of Seraph (Collin Chou) to rescue Neo. They know (and we know if we were paying attention at the end of "Reloaded") that Neo’s not supposed to be jacked into the Matrix. But he is, and they must deal with Merovingian to get him released from this no man’s land. Busting into his nightclub, Trinity, Morpheus and Seraph bring hell down on Merovingian’s henchmen and then pirouette their way through the throbbing dance floor to face-off with the man in charge. Proving the power of love (backed by a strong show of force) can overcome any obstacle, Trinity has her way and frees Neo from limbo.
Neo’s back, Trinity’s relieved, and all’s still not well with the world. Now comes the tricky part – and one I’m unwilling to go into depth to explain. The Oracle returns in a new form, words of warning are exchanged, Neo ponders his fate, and then off he goes on a new tangent. If he is to save the world, he must face one of the biggest of baddies, the all-powerful leader of the Machine World, in order to continue on his way to the ultimate knockdown, drag-out fight with his number one nemesis, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).
There’s no sense revealing more details as cries of "Spoiler" will go up and someone will claim their film experience has been ruined (this could also be seen as taking the lazy way out of describing incredibly convoluted scenes).
Some of the characters introduced in "The Matrix Reloaded" return in new and expanded roles. Jada Pinkett Smith is back as the kick-ass Niobe, piloting her ship through treacherous tunnels on her way to help save Zion. Muscles flexing and nostrils flaring Pinkett Smith proves she’s one tough cookie. Occupying the co-pilot seat next to Niobe, Morpheus seems uncharacteristically flustered and anxious – two character traits not normally associated with The Stoic One.
Also returning in expanded capacities are Nona Gaye as Zee and Clayton Watson as The Kid. Zee turns out to be a ferocious fighter who risks everything to insure the safe return of her husband, Link (Harold Perrineau). There were hints in "Reloaded" of The Kid’s destiny, and, as anticipated, The Kid turns out to be an integral player in the battle with the Machines.
"The Matrix Revolutions" is less wordy and more action-oriented than its immediate predecessor. The Architect doesn’t make any more brain-scrambling speeches, and even the ultra-talkative Morpheus has little say. Yet during the wildest fight scenes I was asking myself, "Where have I seen this before?" and answering my own question with, "In ‘The Matrix,’ of course." There’s a warmed-over feeling that permeates what should have been the defining film of the trilogy. Sure, questions get answered, ends get tied up, but when it’s over and done with, there’s just not much new in "Revolutions."
GRADE: C
"The Matrix Revolutions" was directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski (cast and crew list) and is rated R for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content.
