The Matrix: Resurrections - Cheap Thoughts

It’s not often a director is cornered and forced to make a movie that it comes out well. The studio was set on making a 4^th Matrix film despite the definitive ending of the last one, and Lana Wachowski coming onboard to try and make something of it is hardly the ideal circumstances you’d want, and yet…

Lana Wachowski has yet again proven her talents for visually enchanting films and the stubbornly anti-subtle messaging all her prior films are known for, and no that second point is not an insult, subtlety is optional, not necessary to telling a good story. The Matrix Resurrections is at times a bitter film, a film that wishes it did not exist and is very adamant that you-the audience-know that. It is critical of the production, the fanbase and even its own creators. It stares into the abyss of “content creation” and just before it falls into it, the film is saved, much like how Neo is saved, by reminding them what they stand for. Wachowski refuses to fall into that pit, she loves these characters, and she loves this franchise, she would never corrode them with the cynicism of Hollywood.

While the prior films became obsessed with their own mythology, the wisdom that comes with age and separation reminds you of what’s important. Neo & Trinity, not just symbols, not just roles, but two people who love each other, who fight for each other above all else. Yes, true love does in fact save the day, and if you find that too corny or on the nose then good god what franchise were you watching? This is a series that has embraced sincerity and style since day one, in the past that may have been aimed towards philosophy, these days they’ve changed direction to be entirely about love. The romance of Neo & Trinity was never the strongest element of the original trilogy, it was mostly side-lined to allow the world-building to take over, but looking back, a decent portion of Reloaded and Revolutions was showing that these two view each other as more important than any war, any philosophy or any duty, this film just allows that element to take centre-stage, and with the beauty that is Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann-Moss – Two people who have aged like the finest of wines – we have the most emotionally expressive film in the series.

All of this is with barely touching upon the visual component, and that’s what Wachowski is best known for. At this point in her career making stylish & comprehensive action scenes are her bread and butter, she makes it look easy. One of the best living directors to put their money to good use in making gorgeous blockbusters where everyone has unique looks under gorgeous lighting with badass action, making everyone look like the coolest person on the planet.

Resurrections is not a subtle movie, nor does it want to be, it refuses to compromise, to withdraw or to change itself for your sake. It is a visual delight and earnest down to its bones. It is aware of its past and what is has to prove and yet it does not care, it would throw all that away for the two people it loves and will not apologise for it.

-Danny