Matrix waste of technology - CNN Review


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http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/...trix/index.html

Nice video game, but where's the movie?

By Paul Clinton

CNN Reviewer

Tuesday, November 4, 2003 Posted: 4:32 PM EST (2132 GMT)

 

Keanu Reeves as Neo, who's come to terms with his One-ness.

(CNN) -- When it comes to the "Matrix" franchise, either people love it -- really, really love it. Or they hate it -- really, really hate it.

With more than a billion dollars in ticket sales worldwide, it's abundantly clear that an awful lot of people fall into the former category. So, without doubt, "The Matrix Revolutions" will make millions of additional dollars.

However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I fall firmly into the latter category.

Before you start sending nasty e-mails -- and believe me, I'll get them -- I do think the "Matrix" series has been revolutionary in terms of special effects and the use of groundbreaking computer-generated images. The mysterious Wachowski brothers, Andy and Larry (who wrote, directed and executive-produced all three films), have created the visual gold standard for every action/sci-fi flick that has followed their 1999 original. The action and the images are truly breathtaking.

They're also repetitive. Just how many times can a giant drill get your attention before it becomes ... well, just another giant drill?

Moreover, none of these three big-screen extravaganzas (with the possible exception of the original) has been an actual movie with character development, subplots, context, or even any content to speak of. They're video games. Oh, they're great video games! Spectacular video games! Perhaps the best video games in the history of human civilization!

But video games nevertheless.

Endless destruction

Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has replicated himself countless times, and faces off with Neo in a climactic battle. 

The first "Matrix" was unique and had a certain flair, combined with stunning action. But even die-hard fans have to admit that "The Matrix Reloaded" was less than stellar. It was, after all, the middle film of a trilogy and thus had no true beginning, middle or end -- not to mention the fact that there was absolutely no jeopardy, and therefore no dramatic tension.

If no one can ever kill Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving, sinister as always), and Neo (Keanu Reeves) just keeps destroying version after version of that toothy machine -- which just keeps coming back again and again -- then what's the point? Where's the drama?

(Actually, Agent Smith has a real agenda in this final chapter, but why give away the film's only plot point.)

Iin "The Matrix Revolutions," we've come to the end of the road, and finally someone -- or something -- has to triumph in the final reel. I'll give you two guesses who wins. You can almost hear the late Peggy Lee singing "Is That All There Is?"

Fans likely will be reading all kinds of special messages into every second of this film. Religious references and Eastern philosophy run rampant; there are plenty of Zen moments. Also, every single twitch and gesture by Neo, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and the Oracle (Mary Alice) can be analyzed ad nauseam for their supposedly deep inner meanings.

Neo continues to be a custom-made role for Reeves' limited talents. The fact that his one-dimensional character is dazed and confused through out most of the film fits Reeves' performance style to a T.

Top-line effects, flatlined humanity

 

The cast also includes Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, Collin Chou as Seraph, and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. 

As stated above, the special effects are spectacular, and the final attacks on Zion are amazing -- too long, but amazing.

But the emotional impact of this movie is zilch. When Moss and Reeves lock lips, it looks like two wire coat hangers trying to get it on.

There's also an interesting trip to a Matrix nightspot called Club Hell. The Wachowskis must have emptied every S&M and leather store in Australia (the films' shooting location) in order to dress the extras in this scene. After living in New York and L.A., I thought I had seen everything. I was wrong.

OK, creating this trilogy was no mean feat. It is a major accomplishment and will go down in cinematic history -- for special effects and marketing, in particular. J

But when it comes to a film standing the test of time, the audience must have an emotional attachment with the story. A bunch of emotion-free humans dressed in black, wearing sunglasses, and millions of computer-generated machines doesn't fill that bill.

Safe bet the effects are top notched...though this does cause concern for the ending.

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Hmm, whoever wrote that seems to have made their mind up before experiencing the films. It seems to be a purely negative opinion with no constructive assessment.

His nods to the special effects seem merely token.

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Hmm, whoever wrote that seems to have made their mind up before experiencing the films. It seems to be a purely negative opinion with no constructive assessment.

His nods to the special effects seem merely token.

I agree with you.

If you're interested in spoilers or other reviews, check out http://matrix.ugo.com/zionswitchboard/cate...es.cfm?catid=40

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U know what? I have my tickets, but have deliberately read/watched no trailers, spoilers etc. Am gonna try and make a thing of never seeing any. Enjoy the film more...

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Hmm, whoever wrote that seems to have made their mind up before experiencing the films. It seems to be a purely negative opinion with no constructive assessment.

His nods to the special effects seem merely token.

What do you mean? Sounds like to me like he has seem the final movie.

Iin "The Matrix Revolutions," we've come to the end of the road, and finally someone -- or something -- has to triumph in the final reel. I'll give you two guesses who wins. You can almost hear the late Peggy Lee singing "Is That All There Is?"
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I have to disagree. The original will go down in my books as a classic. Reloaded left alot to be desired, but was still entertaining.

Movie reviews require opinions, and opinions are just that. They vary depending on the person's tastes.

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Well, in Norway I haven't read a single positive review yet today...

But besides, reviewers tend to favour small projects with the weight on acting more than this kinds of films, so I will make up my own opinion, and not let it be flavoured by the cheesy reviewers

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Who really thinks Matrix Reloaded was a "Great" film. I don't. But maybe part 3 will be worthwhile.

The manner in which this article was written does not influence me in the slightest, it in fact makes me wonder, Do they need a new journalist at CNN :p

8AM and this series will meet its' conclusion.

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I really don't care about what other people think about the movie I like it and that is all that matters.

I am going to see The Matrix Revolutions tonight with a friend who works at a locol movie theater I can't wait.

I Liked the first two Matrix movies and i can't wait for the 3rd. I have the first matrix dvd, the second and i will prolly get the 3rd. and then i will get a box set if one is ever released.

I liked the first two, and you can't say "oh he is just a fanboy" (or something to that extent) because i am not, i am a big movie buff people have different tast's and i am sick of all these dumb movie review's everyone seems to be copying off of ebert & roeper (the two worst movie critics of all time, i don't even want to start on them)

edit//

:o they actually gave the matrix revolutions two thumbs up, looks like this dumbass didn't copy off them

Edited by ceminess
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for the love of god why waste your life finding the flaws of a movie, just enjoy it thats what its made for, god some people need help.....

That's what a reviewer's job is, to establish the merit of a work. He didn't like it, that doesn't mean that you don't have to. Let's move on.

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As he thinks the game was good, he obviously has no sense to judge the movie.

Enter the Matrix was the worst video game ever created.

Reading is fun ... try it sometime.

I'm too tired to read the whole thing. I just read, maybe, a few words? :happy:

I'm telling Mommy!

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As he thinks the game was good, he obviously has no sense to judge the movie.

Enter the Matrix was the worst video game ever created.

Reading is fun ... try it sometime.

Lol, thats the funniest thing I have heard all day.

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As he thinks the game was good, he obviously has no sense to judge the movie.

Enter the Matrix was the worst video game ever created.

Reading is fun ... try it sometime.

I'm too tired to read the whole thing. I just read, maybe, a few words? :happy:

I'm telling Mommy!

So, in other words, you missed the part where the CNN reviewer calls the movie a large video game.

Before you are allowed to comment on something that is written by somebody, keep in mind that you look much more intelligent when you actually give some sign of having read it in its entirety.

In this case, it would've helped if you had read the part that mentions it as a video game.

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So, in other words, you missed the part where the CNN reviewer calls the movie a large video game.

Before you are allowed to comment on something that is written by somebody, keep in mind that you look much more intelligent when you actually give some sign of having read it in its entirety.

In this case, it would've helped if you had read the part that mentions it as a video game.

Oh, no! I didn't read the whole thing! n00B! :o

Good lord. People go crazy over nothing, now.

Drink less coffee.

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Can I just recommend that you guys not discuss possible spoilers please? You are welcome to give your thoughts on the film but please do not spoil it for those (like myself ;) ) that are yet to see it.

Thanks. :)

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I would love to point out the irony in the fact that CNN, which is owned by Time Warner, posted a bad review about a movie, The Matrix Trilogy, which was made by, you guessed it, Time Warner.

Too bad Reloaded really did suck :/

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