Retrospective Film Review

The Matrix Revolutions (2003) • 18 Years Later

Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus continue to lead the revolt against the machines that have mankind plugged into a computer simulation of reality.

The conclusion of The Matrix trilogy came mere months after The Matrix Reloaded (2003) was released to mixed reviews and widespread bemusement amongst excited fans, which for many tarnished the near-perfection of The Matrix (1999). Expectations were therefore considerably lower for The Matrix Revolutions, but most people were convinced the Wachowskis wouldn’t let such an ambitious sci-fi cyberpunk epic fall flat on its face. The end-product offers even wilder highs and lows, but ultimately feels like a protracted climax that could have been woven into Reloaded for a more satisfying overall sequel.

A major problem for The Matrix follow-ups was dealing with the fact Neo (Keanu Reeves) ascended to super-human “The One” status by the end of the first movie, so Reloaded kept him busy with sheer numbers of enemies or vast distances for him to cross. Revolutions initially goes one…