My thoughts on the Matrix Resurrections

 My thoughts on the Matrix Resurrections 

 

Before I get into the trailer, I want to talk about the Matrix as a franchise. This franchise made an impact on pop culture from 1999 to 2005. We had TV shows and movies that used bullet time and copied scenes from the films. Plus, we had a handful of video games. Yes! This wasn't the first movie with the machines taking over scenario or have us question reality in general, but it's done in a way that appeals to the general public. After that, it wasn't forgotten; it just wasn't talked about that much. The term red and blue pill is popular with men because they use this as a way to view life, people, and relationships. There are other pills that they use, like purple, white, and black pill. I already reviewed this trilogy, so I'm not going to repeat how I feel about it. 

I was surprised to learn that we're getting another Matrix film because no one asked for this movie, as far as I know. Also, we got a trailer for this movie late. Whether that was intentional or not, that was a smart move considering how bad Hollywood is at doing trailers these days. The last movie ended is another reason why this trailer took me by surprise. I'm not saying it's not possible to tell a story after the third film; however, the creators wasted any story they could have told with the last two films. As for this trailer, I liked it, but that's not saying much; it made references to the past films. There is a scene in the trailer where Neo is in the tub with a rubber duck on his head. That cracked me up, I mean, what's a grown man doing with that? The trailer gave mostly action, and we have no idea what the story is for the most part. Heck, we don't know what's going on outside the matrix. I hope we don't get another trailer or teaser because less is more. 

The one thing that bothered me about this trailer is that it's not subtle about anything the trailer showed us. For example, I know that Neo's therapist is going to be a foil for Neo because A the actor who's playing him is well known and B he's wearing blue glasses. Do you see what I mean?  There are red flags with this movie, like it continues where the last film left off. Making a movie that's part of a film series that ended or was discontinued don't turn out well most of the time. Plus, when you do that, you run the risk of a franchise losing its novelty. Speaking of losing novelty, is anyone else tired of the main character not having any memory of his past story? Also, Trinity is alive. How is that possible? You can argue that Neo died in the last film, too, but the movie didn't confirm that. This movie looks like it will be a remake of the first film. I say that because the trailer has rehashed some of the scenes from the first movie. This is not always a bad thing if the directors does them differently or they parallel with the first film. 

However, this makes me ask why not reboot this franchise, considering Morpheus is played by a different actor? Wait what!?! Rebooting this franchise can be hard to do because what made the first film work is that it was stylish as far as mixing different genres together; it's hard to replicate that. Well, the director seems to be aware of this trailer has scenes from the first film, I mean, there are clips from that movie in the trailer. Finally, the director Lana Wachowski, her and her brother didn't have the best track record when it comes to movies, this could be a cry for help. Considering what she use to be, I wonder if she's in the right state of mind to do this movie. I'll leave it at that. The biggest problem I have with the Matrix films is the characters; I mean, they're not engaging enough to be invested in them. Whenever we see Neo reuniting with Trinity or Morpheus, I didn't care because they came off as bland characters in the past. In order for this film to work, that issue needs to be fixed. Well, I could forgive bad characterization if the story is good. 

We had movies where the main character overshadows the story    

and vice versa. 

The only way this movie could exist if the truce is broken. That could work because I want to see both the humans and the machines being conflicted about freeing people's minds from the matrix. We saw what happened when someone isn't ready to accept reality in the first film, Cypher (One of Morpheus's old crew members) killed some of the crew because he wasn't happy with reality. This movie should continue the theme of enlightenment vs comfort because A it's not clear cut, and B that's relevant considering what's going on with free speech or lack thereof. Plus, it wasn't displayed well in the past, as far as not hearing other character's points of view on the issue. The writers tried in the past films, but it wasn't done well, if you ask me. I was let down that we got no bullet time scenes in the trailer, and the Matrix doesn't have a green atmosphere. I hope it's in the movie. 

With all that said, I do have theories as to why Morpheus hasn't aged and why Neo and Trinity is still alive? I don't want to risk spoiling the movie, so I'll keep it to myself. But I will say this, Trinity better not be a clone, and the last three movies better not be a dream because that will make me mad. I might give this movie a chance, oh, how am I kidding, I'm not falling for the nostalgia trap! The real reason why this movie is made is to promote a feminist agenda, just like in Star Wars and The Terminator. I notice that in the trailer. Basically, this movie will be just like the first film, but not as good. That's all I have to say about this trailer for now.