The Matrix Revolutions **** (2003, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Lambert Wilson, Harold Perrineau Jr, Anthony Zerbe) – Classic Movie Review 7069

Everything that has a beginning must have an end – and here it is, The Matrix Revolutions (2003), following The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded. Back in the groovy superhero shades and swishy black coat, Keanu Reeves confronts his final destiny as the hunky one who is The One in the must-see last chapter of the Matrix trilogy, in which human city of Zion must face the mighty onslaught of the Sentinel machines army.

The climax of the saga rescues its hero Neo from his no-man’s-land between the Matrix and the machine world, so that he can help save Zion. As Neo, Reeves again proves a thrilling action hero in The Wachowski Brothers’ awesome, stunningly exciting, high-energy sci-fi action thriller with an intelligent screenplay by the Wachowskis and a superb hi-tech look. Imaginative and brilliant to look at, it positively oozes incredible state-of-the-art effects, thrilling fights and extraordinary stunts.

Once again, Reeves growls and mumbles impressively between kicking mean butt, and Carrie-Anne Moss again proves a striking action superstar as Trinity, while the sonorous Laurence Fishburne brings more of his welcome grave demeanour as Morpheus and Hugo Weaving adds some wry dark humour as the evil rogue Agent Smith.

The Matrix Revolutions perhaps makes the mistake of letting the visual effects dominate the human drama and computer-games-style action swamp the fighting. But, if total brilliance evades it, there is enough thrilling action and great moments to spur it on to the spectacular big finish.

Mary Alice makes a good job of the unenviable task of taking over the role of The Oracle from Gloria Foster, who died in 2003. Also in the cast are Monica Bellucci and Lambert Wilson as Persephone and Merovingian, Harold Perrineau Jr, Anthony Zerbe, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ian Bliss, Sing Ngai, Essie Davis, Nona M Gaye, Lachy Hulme, Chris Kirby, Peter Lamb, Nathaniel Lees, Harry J Lennix, Robert Mammone, Joe Manning, Bruce Spence, Clayton Watson and Anthony Wong.

It opened worldwide at exactly the same moment, a first: 6am in LA, 9am in New York, 2pm in London, 5pm in Moscow, 11pm in Tokyo and 1am in Sydney.

The Matrix Revolutions is directed by Andy [Lilly] Wachowski and Larry [Lana] Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers), runs 129 minutes, is a NPV, Silver and Village Roadshow production, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski, is shot by Bill Pope, is produced by Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski and Joel Silver, is scored by Don Davis and is designed by Owen Paterson.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7069

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