THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is a mixed bag. It is the best sequel of THE MATRIX series even though THE MATRIX RELOADED has better action scenes. It has plenty of commentary and it even subverts expectations. THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS serves as a sequel and soft reboot. It has to explain what came before (if you haven't seen the first three movies) while also being there for the fans of the first three movies. The sequel walks a fine line and sometimes disappoints and frustrates.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) is alive as Thomas Anderson. He is a game designer responsible for creating the game of The Matrix in 1999. He is contacted by two people who say nothing about his life is real and he meets a woman named Tiffany (Carrie Ann Moss) who reminds him of someone. Also Neo is seeing an Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris). Soon Neo’s world unravels and he discovers he was brought back to life and everything that resulted from his sacrifice from decades ago didn't go as planned. His most important mission is to save Trinity from the Matrix and face new battles against those who didn't like how Neo resolved everything in THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS.

I do need to watch THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS again at some point and I have seen the first three movies several times. Some things I like about this new movie, but sometimes it also frustrates me with the way Lana Wachowski goes about the story. It is better than the fizzled out JUPITER ASCENDING and more accessible to a wider audience than the very interesting CLOUD ATLAS. Too bad poor box office will prevent more trips to THE MATRIX universe, but the director never intended for this movie to be a starting off point for a new trilogy. She did this movie as therapy to get over loss of a family member while her sibling (who usually co-directs with her) dealt with grief in a different way. THE MATRIX RESURRECTIOSN is a nice detour while waiting for JOHN WICK 4, but this could have been a better detour instead of a frustrating side trip return to a franchise that started off with a great classic (THE MATRIX).

This review is (c)1-1-2022 and 1-19-2022 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-medi.acom