The Matrix Resurrections Review

When The Matrix premiered in 1999, it was more than the standard science fiction good vs. evil movie with computer-generated effects and stunts. The narrative question was existential in nature. Both the special effects and the fight scenes were (and still are) awe-inspiring.

The 4th movie in the series, The Matrix Revolutions, premiered last week. Neo (Keanu Reeves) is torn between the world he sees and the world that is just beyond his consciousness. He is the creator of the best-selling video game of all time called The Matrix. He is also seeing a therapist, known as The Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris).

He begins to question his reality when Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, replacing Laurence Fishburne) comes back into his life. When he finally breaks from the world he has known, Neo can only save the day once more with the help of Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). But like Neo, she first has to see the truth.

I wanted to like this film, I really did. It tries to build on the legacy of its predecessors while adding new layers to the story. After nearly two decades. both Moss and Reeves still have the same chemistry. The addition of new cast members builds on this idea of fighting for our individuality instead of just going along with the rest of the crowd. Among the newbies, Harris stands out. I haven’t followed his career closely, but this character from what I know is not one that he normally plays.

The problem is that it just stretches on. It only perks up when Trinity wakes up, which is at about the 60% mark.

Do I recommend it? I would lean toward yes, but only if you have seen the three previous movies.

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Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen Book Review

Every decade or so, there is one year in which forever alters how movies are made and seen. The year 1999 was one of those years.

The new book, Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen, by Brian Raferty breaks down the popular movies of that year and how those movies impacted the industry for decades to come. Movies such as Fight Club, The Matrix, She’s All That, Boys Don’t Cry and The Best Man are just some of the movies were released that year. Containing interviews with actors, directors and others involved in the film making process, this book is the story of the films, the creative teams who made the films and the impact these films have had on the culture over the past twenty years.

This book is a must read for movie fans. It is not only a fun read and a nice behind the scenes look at the films, but it also creates a sense of nostalgia for a year that produced some of our fines movies.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday- The Matrix (1999)

Science fiction has an odd way of predicting the future. Whether it is Frankenstein or 1984, in hindsight, some of these stories can be prophetic.

The Matrix (1999) can be added to this list. By day, Thomas A Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is an computer programmer working the daily grind. After work, he uses the nom de plume of Neo, spending him time as a hacker. When the police target Neo, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) introduces Neo to the real world and the fight to save humanity from annihilation by machines.

At the time of it’s release, this movie was ground breaking in more ways than one. It still is 16 years later. And after nearly 20 years, it still holds up as enjoyable entertainment.

I recommend it.