FiLM REViEW
by B.C. Kowalski
Maybe not The Matrix sequel you were hoping for, but entertaining at least The Matrix: Resurrections | Theaters, HBO Max | R | 148 min. It had actually slipped my notice that a new Matrix movie was in the works, so I was pleasantly surprised when I learned a new film was available, right in time for the holidays. Merry Christmas from the Wachowski sisters. Many of us wondered what exactly had happened to Neo and Trinity after the end of Matrix: Revolutions. It seemed to sort of wrap things up, and sort of leave us hanging as to exactly what happened at the same time. With Matrix: Resurrections, it turns out both Neo and Trinity are plugged back into The Matrix. Neo is a very successful game designer (his award-winning games is a trilogy about The Matrix, poetically) who is depressed. Trinity is a housewife who works on motorcycles and seems vaguely unhappy. When the two meet in a coffee shop (also, one of the plotholes of the film: He’s introduced by someone who later is revealed to be one of his handlers - but then why would he introduce them?), they feel a connection somehow. Both are relatively miserable in their lives and can’t figure out why, and they both vaguely recognize each other but have no idea why. It’s an event that’s important to the story, as a crew of renegades from the real world are attempting to bring Neo back. Yep, it’s almost the same as the plot of the first one; or rather, it’s Neo going through the same process again, although now he’s a little more familiar with the process. And no “Whoa, I know Kung Fu!” moment this time.
Much has changed, of course, and he no longer has the sway he once did. In fact, he thinks at first his actions had no impact whatsoever; but I won’t spoil that little plot point other than to say he finds out otherwise. Everything in this new iteration of The Matrix is just a little different from the previous films — just enough to keep you off-balance. Mr. Smith is still a bad guy — or is he? The new crew seems to be a substitute for the old one, except not only are they on the outs with the main human government but this isn’t explored much.
There are some characters in the new crew who I’m not sure are ever even named, and they seem mostly inconsequential. They seem to exist merely as a vehicle for Neo’s purposes more than actual characters. The group’s leader, Bugs, delivers her lines so fast and low that I couldn’t make out half of what she said. It’s almost as if the director moved quickly through any lines that weren’t uttered by Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne-Moss. Without revealing too much, the film seems to set up an area of discord between this ragtag crew and others like them who
still believe that Neo is the one, and the leaders of the human population outside the Matrix, including leader Niobe, who think that’s old superstition and didn’t care for the idea of bringing Neo back. That’s good conflict for the film to play with, but it’s mostly ignored after it’s introduced, mainly to focus on Neo’s mission to pull Trinity back out of the Matrix. It’s not a bad plot, to be sure, and made for an interesting movie. But the broader political climate seems far more interesting to me, and is left unexplored. The main takeaway is I left Resurrections with ambivalent feelings on the film. I enjoyed watching it, but couldn’t help but feel like something was off about it. Some said the best part of the film was the beginning, in which Neo is a disaffected game designer being forced to put out a new sequel to his Matrix games (very meta), along with his meet-cute with Trinity in the coffee shop called “Simulatte” (ha!). Sitting through the focus group meetings where they tell him keywords to focus on makes you wonder if the Wachowskis had to do the same for the new film. My conclusion is still ambivalent. It’s entertaining enough, and if you were really jonesing to see Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne-Moss reprise their roles again, well, you’ll get what you were hoping for. And you’ll learn what happened to Neo and Trinity. But if you were hoping for the philosophical depth of the original trilogy, well, it’s only hinted at here. So see it, be entertained, but don’t expect much of the original. (Bonus: Go read William Gibson’s Neuromancer if you want to see the roots of The Matrix series. I’m probably due to re-read the book myself.)
From Chico’s Family to Yours... ...A heartfelt Thank You to everyone who’s helped keep our doors open!
{ NEW YEAR’S EVE {
Garlic Shrimp Smothered Steak • Pollo Pasta Mouth Watering Prime Rib • Steak & Colossal Shrimp
Asti Toast & Party Favors @ Midnight!
114484
FEATURING
Need a last minute gift? We have Chico’s Certificates Available.
OPEN New Year’s Day
Restaurant Mexican & American
235415 chico rd rd,Wausau | 715-842-9851 TUES,WED,THURS • 4-9PM FRI & SAT • 4-10PM SUn • 3-8PM
HAIRCUT & STYLE
FS Gift Cards Available!
$25
Good through 31-DEC-2021
3910 Schofield Ave., Weston 359-8250 225734 Rib Mountain Dr., Wausau 359-2724 Monday 9-6 | Tuesday - Thursday 9-8 | Friday 9-6 | Saturday 8-5 | Sunday Closed Participating Salons only. Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2021 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation. FantasticSams.com 106194
December 30, 2021 - January 6, 2022
CiTY PAGES
15
