Finally! Someone asked me what I think about the upcoming next installment in the wider Matrix mythology ... and I think I may have something to say about it!
Basically, I was asked am I excited (I think the term was "super-excited," but I digress ...) about a return to the world of The Matrix, that SciFi/Fantasy saga that was so winningly brought to life by the Wachowskis back in 1999 ... and I had to honestly answer, "But why?"
I've seen a whole lot written about the idea of revisiting this world by a whole lot of folks who I'm guessing have already forgotten that Parts 2 and 3 of that franchise weren't exactly crowd-pleasers from what I remember. Yeah, the action was great. Yeah, the visuals were compelling. But come the big finish I seem to recall a whole lot of people being either confused or disappointed with Neo's ultimate destination. I disagree strongly with those who insisted that storytellers took the easy way out in that finish because -- at the end of the day -- it is what it is. Whether or not the Wachowskis had planned to leave us exactly where they did is besides the point: they did leave us there, so we're left to make of it what we will.
But my take on that was they did deliver us somewhere -- and with plenty to think about -- so what's the purpose for going back again?
Essentially, this reminds me of one of my driving principles -- I don't get into debating a film I haven't seen -- and I suspect The Matrix Resurrections could have some tricks up its sleeve that none of us may be anticipating. The Wachowskis being who they are, they've never run away from controversy, and their overall track record includes more big budget misses than it does hits. (Again, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.) Getting "into the gray" doesn't always go over well with viewers, but the original themes of The Matrix -- like 'em or hate 'em -- remains the siblings' most accessible ideas ... so, in that respect, I do reserve hope that this (ahem) 'Second Coming' will bring something new to the table.
If it doesn't, then perhaps my 'but why' sentiment might be vindicated.
As a matter of fact, I didn't quite run away from the trilogy the way others did back in their day. I remember thinking and writing about what I saw were universal themes of that trilogy, even suggesting that there were some obvious 'tells' along the way that proved Neo was ultimately always destined to end up where he did ... trapped dead center in the middle of some allegory of (ahem) Biblical proportions. And anyone who missed it wasn't really paying attention.
Because The Matrix trilogy did end where it did, I'm not sure what more there could be to its story. Hopefully, the Wachowskis have held something back to make this resurrection more than a cash grab.
In any event, the final trailer dropped recently. I thought it relevant to share.
Basically, I was asked am I excited (I think the term was "super-excited," but I digress ...) about a return to the world of The Matrix, that SciFi/Fantasy saga that was so winningly brought to life by the Wachowskis back in 1999 ... and I had to honestly answer, "But why?"
I've seen a whole lot written about the idea of revisiting this world by a whole lot of folks who I'm guessing have already forgotten that Parts 2 and 3 of that franchise weren't exactly crowd-pleasers from what I remember. Yeah, the action was great. Yeah, the visuals were compelling. But come the big finish I seem to recall a whole lot of people being either confused or disappointed with Neo's ultimate destination. I disagree strongly with those who insisted that storytellers took the easy way out in that finish because -- at the end of the day -- it is what it is. Whether or not the Wachowskis had planned to leave us exactly where they did is besides the point: they did leave us there, so we're left to make of it what we will.
But my take on that was they did deliver us somewhere -- and with plenty to think about -- so what's the purpose for going back again?
Essentially, this reminds me of one of my driving principles -- I don't get into debating a film I haven't seen -- and I suspect The Matrix Resurrections could have some tricks up its sleeve that none of us may be anticipating. The Wachowskis being who they are, they've never run away from controversy, and their overall track record includes more big budget misses than it does hits. (Again, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.) Getting "into the gray" doesn't always go over well with viewers, but the original themes of The Matrix -- like 'em or hate 'em -- remains the siblings' most accessible ideas ... so, in that respect, I do reserve hope that this (ahem) 'Second Coming' will bring something new to the table.
If it doesn't, then perhaps my 'but why' sentiment might be vindicated.
As a matter of fact, I didn't quite run away from the trilogy the way others did back in their day. I remember thinking and writing about what I saw were universal themes of that trilogy, even suggesting that there were some obvious 'tells' along the way that proved Neo was ultimately always destined to end up where he did ... trapped dead center in the middle of some allegory of (ahem) Biblical proportions. And anyone who missed it wasn't really paying attention.
Because The Matrix trilogy did end where it did, I'm not sure what more there could be to its story. Hopefully, the Wachowskis have held something back to make this resurrection more than a cash grab.
In any event, the final trailer dropped recently. I thought it relevant to share.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
-- EZ
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