Review

Shot at the same time as The Matrix Reloaded, this final chapter of the Matrix trilogy shares many of the aspects of its predecessor, but makes a fatal miscalculation. While the plugged-in world of The Matrix is a glorious hyperreality allowing for incredible pyrotechnic martial arts, the reality of Zion and Earth is a gloomy electro-world populated by villianous robots without personality. Revolutions is rooted in this world, and it sucks the fun out of the franchise. The film's centerpiece is a 30-minute battle with an endless stream of robots invading Zion's core, and an equally endless stream of bullets fired by the humans. Not even the spectacular effects can keep this section from being a downright bore. Several big plot developments, including a protracted death scene, fall emotionally flat, as does an early shootout inside The Matrix that seems a mere copy of the first film. The whole shebang is almost redeemed by the climactic duel (in The Matrix, thankfully) between Agent Smith (Weaving) and Neo (Reeves) -- a high-wire punchout in the pouring rain. But what is Neo saving, really? That dreary world below the earth that was such a chore to sit through earlier? Screw that! Bring back The Matrix -- and next time, don't wake us up.

 -- David Gorgos