Unfulfilling Revolution Christian Ang | Guest Writer
| Published 12/12/03
Graphic By: Brandon Faust
"The Matrix: Revolutions," the third and final installment to "The Matrix" trilogy, was expected to give the answers that left us questioning in the second movie and give an ending that would satisfy millions of fans. I believe the directors Larry and Andy Wachowski did not accomplish that feat. They stood their ground and ended the movie as they saw fit, excluding that fact that it might not please the most of the audience.
Other than the conclusion to "The Matrix: Revolutions," everything else was as good as I predicted. The breath-taking special effects and computer graphics raised the bar. A great scene was the raid of machines into the city of Zion, where the humans and machines make their last stand for survival. When it comes to visual effects, "The Matrix" trilogy did not worry about expense. In "The Matrix: Reloaded," the car case scene, which lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes, cost close to $40 million to create. The computer generated graphics of "Revolutions" makes the "Star Wars" trilogy look like it was put together by children. I cannot comprehend how visually entertaining this movie is; you just have to see it yourself.
For those who have not seen the first two installments to "The Matrix" trilogy, it happens that the machines rose above mankind. Machines with artificial intelligence take over the world, using the humans as an energy source while imprisoning their minds in a computer generated world called "the matrix." The trilogy is about the humans struggling to free the human minds and save the last human city, Zion.
The final battle of Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) was the highlight of the movie that ended with distaste in my mouth. The battle itself was like nothing I have ever seen before. It looked like something that was taken out of a Japanese animated cartoon duel and put out on film. This showed how much work and precision that was put in doing this scene.
Even though the final battle was an evolution to a new genre of classical m°l³e sequences and is one of the all time great duels, such as Bruce Lee versus Kareem Abdul-Jabar in "The Game of Death." However the battle of Neo and Smith did not fulfill me, because Neo looked like he got his rear handed to him. I believe the audience wants the protagonist to hit some walls in the movie but not actually lose the battle. Even though the Wachowski brothers provide a twist giving the reason for Neo‰s heroic demise, it did not give me satisfaction that this was the end of Agent Smith.
Compared to the first installment of "The Matrix," "Revolutions" did not bring the magic like the first one. There was less philosophical questioning and misleading story-telling. It felt like the other two installments were added rather than meshed together like trilogies such as "Star Wars" and "The Lord of The Rings." However unlike the two trilogies, "The Matrix" trilogy is more visually superior and exciting to watch. Also I think "The Matrix" trilogy can be easier understood compared to the unbelievable story lines of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars."
"The Matrix: Revolutions" did bring new elements in movie making, but it did not bring any new enchantment or achievement to a final installment. The beginning of "Revolutions" built up a great story line, which made me eager to see the next scene. There were moments in the movie that I was in awe of how visually impressive some scenes were. Many plot twists in the beginning kept my eyes focused on the screen, but there was something missing: a really good ending.
It felt like I was reading a high-quality novel, but as soon as I thought I was about to finish, I discovered that two chapters were missing. What you have to do is look back into the book; reread what you looked over to understand why the last two chapters were never meant to be printed.
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Christian Ang is a new writer for Whim. We hope he writes more quality articles for us!
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Name: Mike Flick Comments:
I think the Wachowski bro's were caught off guard with the major success of the first "Matrix" and had to shelve out the 2 sequels. Sure, they have their problems but they should be treated as the cinematic wonders that they are like Shaggy indicated. I think "Revolutions" ending was made to compromise those that wanted the trilogy to end and the others that wanted sequels to happen in the future.
Name: Dylan Lloyd Comments:
Indeed disappointing, I wrote an article last month about the Matrix Revolutions in which I asked people to write me an alternative ending which would bring more closure.Yes, Christian - the ragtag ending to this trilogy was a letdown; substance can't be replaced with 30 min computerized mayhem; visually stunning, yes; emotionally satisfying, no.
Name: Shaggy Year: Alumni Comments:
I loved the final Matrix. It ended only in the way a Matrix movie should end. Was everyone expecting a happy ending to this trilogy? The end ending made you think and think hard which is something most of the teeny bopper audiences of the movies these days refuse to do or don't have the capacity to do. Intelligent movies go down the crapper while movies like "The Fast and the Furious" get acclaim. Acclaim for what? Being crap? The only problem I had with the ending of this movie is that it ended with the Oracle. I thought they might go back to Zion and Morpheous or something but didn't. Other than that, no complaints, good movie, can't wait for the DVD.
