Film review: The Matrix Resurrections (15)

For many people, the original Matrix film (1999) still stands up as arguably the best science-fiction film of all time.

I’ll be honest, I’m one of that crowd – and I even loved the sequels Reloaded (2003) and Revolutions (also 2003), which is something of an unpopular opinion.

Another Matrix film has long been mooted, but when it was revealed that Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss were reprising their roles of Neo and Trinity respectively with Lana Wachowski on directing duty, it was a very big deal.

But, was Resurrections able to live up to the original trilogy and deliver on the sizeable hype surrounding it? The answer isn’t that black and white, but I’d lean towards yes.

Let’s be clear, the fourth slice of Matrix action won’t be remembered as a classic.

But seeing Reeves and Moss back in this universe (you’ll know why that’s a big deal if you’ve seen the originals) is a massive rush and is also made entirely plausible by the plot.

Set 60 years after an uneasy peace was brokered between man and machine in Revolutions, we’re immediately shown that the Matrix – a false reality created by machines to keep humanity in a coma so they can generate power for them – is still being used as a form of control.

We’re introduced to this new Matrix by Bugs (the always excellent Jessica Henwick) and her crew, who decide to look for the legendary Neo after pulling a new-look Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) out of his false reality.

If that sounds familiar, it should do – as they early stages do mirror the 1999 classic, which is referenced regularly for reasons you’ll discover when you see the film yourself.

This time it’s much harder to track Neo down, with the machines hiding his existence away in a complicated version of the Matrix. The hour or so that it takes to explain this is the weakest part of the film, despite the obvious buzz of seeing Reeves.

Likewise, Trinity exists here too – but her story is a complicated mystery that shouldn’t be spoiled.

It should also be noted that Agent Smith, played so memorably by Hugo Weaving, is kicking about in this ‘reality’ but is played by another actor.

He does a solid job, but not having Weaving back does feel like a major misstep given how iconic he was in the villainous role.

The absence of Laurence Fishburne in the Morpheus role is explained and works, but recasting Smith did feel like a low point.

There are other returning characters to enjoy, the most prominent being Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, who is in charge of the modern day version of Zion, which is dubbed IO.

Of the other new characters, Neil Patrick Harris is on good form as Neo’s therapist and shares some very enjoyable scenes with the leading lights.

As for the action, you can expect plenty of trademark ‘bullet time’ fights, car chases galore and memorable showdowns.

It’s just a shame for the pace of the film that we have to wait so long to get into those kind of moments.

But, despite the slow start, I did very much enjoy the return of the Matrix.

It felt great to see Neo and Trinity back on the big screen and to have one of cinema’s most enjoyable stories back in business.

For those of you who enjoyed the original more than the sequels, you’ll be pleased to know that Resurrections feels much more like the hugely popular first film – and there is also scope for another sequel.

Voice Verdict: 7.5/10 (reviewed at Boston Savoy)
+ Having Neo and Trinity back
+ Stays faithful to original trilogy
+ Trademark action is great
– First hour is pretty slow
– No Hugo Weaving as Smith

SHOWTIMES
Boston Savoy (Friday, January 7 to Thurs, January 13)

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (12A)
10am (Sat/Sun), 11.15am (Sat/Sun), 1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 2pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3pm (daily), 4.30pm (daily), 5.30pm (daily), 7pm (daily), 8pm (daily)

THE KING’S MAN (15)
12pm (Wed), 3pm (Sat/Sun), 5.45pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (15)
8.15pm (daily)

THE 355 (15)
12.30pm (Wed), 3pm (not Sat/Sun), 5.40pm (daily), 8.40pm (daily)

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (PG)
10am (Sat), 12.20pm (Sat/Sun), 2.30pm (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (not Sat/Sun)

ENCANTO (PG)
9.45am (Sat), 12.15pm (Sun)

THE BOSS BABY 2 (PG)
10.15am (Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
THE BOSS BABY 2 (PG)
10.15am (Sat)

SUBTITLED PERFORMANCE
THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (15)
8.15pm (Mon)

PARENT & BABY
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (12A)
11am (Wed)

SILVER SCREEN
THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (15)
11.30am (Wed)

SUPPORTIVE SCREENING
THE BOSS BABY 2 (PG)
10am (Sun)