Movie Review: Machines defeat this latest 'Matrix'

Wednesday, November 05, 2003

By Ron Weiskind, Post-Gazette Movie Editor

Even for those of us who couldn't make head or tail of it, "The Matrix" riveted our attention with its epic martial arts sequences. The movie used groundbreaking special effects to emphasize that Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne did their own stunt work as they fought hand to hand (and foot to foot).

	"The Matrix Revolutions" Rating: R for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content. Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss. Director: Andy and Larry Wachowski.

The computer effects became more palpable in the first sequel, "The Matrix Reloaded," particularly in the scene where Reeves' character, Neo, took on Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and his 100 clones.

Still, we could forgive the indulgence because "Reloaded" also gave us the stunning freeway chase scene and provided some actual context for its philosophical speculations on the meaning of reality.

Now comes the second and (one can only hope) final sequel, "The Matrix Revolutions," in which the machines finally win.

Don't worry. I'm not referring to the main plot point of whether The Machines (creators of the Matrix, the illusion of reality in which we supposedly reside) succeed in invading and destroying Zion, the last outpost of free humans. You can guess that outcome, if not how it comes about.

But the battle for Zion constitutes the centerpiece of the film, and what do we get? Machine fights machine -- the deadly diggers chomping their way toward Zion take on the defenders of the city, seated within gigantic mechanical robots that mimic their every move, lumbering across the battle zone and firing very large guns.

Hugo Weaving and Keanu Reeves in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures provocative futuristic action thriller "The Matrix Revolutions." (Warner Bros. Pictures / Associated Press) Click photo for larger image. Matrix ard Matrix Reloaded Reviews: Movie Review: You don't have to 'get' 'Matrix' to be dazzled 'Matrix' part 2 offers amazing effects, sly satire

This seems to go on forever, and it seems to violate every tenet of "The Matrix" philosophy, to whatever degree I understand it. Using machines to defeat machines? Isn't that like winning the battle by losing your soul?

But the creators of the Matrix trilogy, Andy and Larry Wachowski, already have. "The Matrix Revolutions" turns out to be just another big, dumb, loud action movie held hostage by its digital effects -- right down to yet another duel to the death between Neo and Smith during a driving rainstorm. The downpour reminded me of that awful "Godzilla" movie in 1998, which took place almost entirely in a torrent. It seems the rain makes digital effects look better.

Oh, the characters go through their paces, although the movie begins with a surprising amount of talky exposition (as with the previous sequel, it skips a recap) and a surprising lack of cinematic flair. Morpheus (Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) have a showdown with the Frenchman (Lambert Wilson). Neo visits the Oracle again (Mary Alice takes over for the late Gloria Foster; the movie handles the transition intelligently). Smith continues to spiral out of control. Ultimately, Neo realizes what he must do and where. Naturally, Trinity insists on accompanying him.

But there's precious little expansion of the philosophical underpinnings that set "The Matrix" apart in the first place. This installment pushes the religious allegory about as far as it can go. Considering the franchise's attempts to make a profound statement about the nature of reality in the age of cybernetics, "The Matrix Revolutions" ends up falling back on that most conventional of movie sentiments: Love conquers all.

Maybe the Wachowskis just ran out of things to say and special effects with which to say them.

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