Pity the poor Wachowski brothers. The writing and directing team that blew the minds of cultists and mainstreamers alike with 1999's "The Matrix" set themselves up for the unenviable task of creating two follow-up sequels. The possibilities were limitless for these films. But rather than exploring the questions posed by the first film, the sequels settle for explosive setpieces and rambling, cryptic dialogue. "The Matrix Reloaded" had its 14-minute car chase and multiple Agent Smith fight; "The Matrix Revolutions" has an attack on Zion which is nothing short of stupendous. But neither movie holds together as a cohesive whole. Neither movie has anything to say or a journey for any of its characters. And neither movie addresses any of the most interesting thoughts raised in the original film.
After watching "The Matrix Revolutions", I actually ran home and re-watched the original "Matrix" from start to finish. It was the first time I had watched it full through since the DVD was released. I always thought, for all its groundbreaking mastery, the original had moments of weary dialogue. Oh how I was mistaken. I didn't know what babble was before "The Matrix Reloaded". Looking back now the original seems down right quaint, and the dialogue actually seems much more concise and, dare I say it, pithy. Watching the original just made me sad for all the missed opportunities in the follow-ups.
Neo's journey has become so internal that Keanu Reeves is forced to do his least acting ever. Laurence Fishburne, reduced to parody in "Reloaded", is pushed even further into the background. Carrie-Anne Moss tries to muster some emotion as Trinity, but she is given precious little screen time in which to do it. Only Jada Pinkett Smith's Niobe lives up to the promise of the last movie by injecting some much-needed energy into her lines.
At first every director wanted to make a blockbuster, now they all want a blockbuster trilogy. No doubt we have George Lucas to thank for that, who himself is unable to muster a film to match even "Return of the Jedi", let alone "Star Wars". These two "Matrices" aren't quite the debacle that the new Star Wars trilogy is, but they share a similar feeling of wasted potential. It seems that only Peter Jackson can create a masterful trilogy nowadays. Of course, he has Tolkien behind him. At the very least, the first "Matrix" is still a sci-fi masterpiece that any audience can enjoy. Whether or not to dive into the sequels, as Morpheus might say, is their choice to make.
