🐱 ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ First Reactions: Bold Hollywood Sequel or Meta Headache? - How embarrassing

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ First Reactions: Bold Hollywood Sequel or Meta Headache?

The latest entry in the “Matrix” franchise has finally screened, and here’s what people have to say.

www.indiewire.com

“The Matrix Resurrections” has finally screened for press, industry, and other lucky viewers, and first reactions to the sequel from director Lana Wachowski are pouring in. This is not only the last major movie premiere to round out this year’s winter season, it’s also the first “Matrix” film since 2003’s “The Matrix Revolutions,” and the fourth film in the franchise. Check out a roundup of social media reactions — which are divided, but sway toward the positive — below.

“The Matrix 4” features Keanu Reeves(consummate game stuntman of all time) and Carrie-Anne Moss reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively, as well as Jada Pinkett-Smith as Niobe, Lambert Wilson as The Merovingian, and Daniel Bernhardt as Agent Johnson. They’re joined by a wave of high-profile co-stars including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Toby Unwumere, Priyanka Chopra, and more.

As the last trailer revealed, the franchise’s main characters no longer remember each other following the events of the original “Matrix” trilogy. Franchise newcomer Abdul-Mateen II is Morpheus, but he’s not Lawrence Fishburne’s version of the character that fans love.

“I think what the script provided was a new narrative and some new opportunities that did make room within the Matrix universe for a new Morpheus,” Abdul-Mateen II teased to Entertainment Weekly in October. “I play a character who’s definitely aware of the history of the Matrix [and] the history of Morpheus. This character is on a journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot in our story that’s about growth, defining your own path. Morpheus isn’t exempt from that. This is definitely a different iteration of the character.”

The film, written by Wachowski with authors David Mitchell and Aleksandar Hemon, has been in development since 2017. Top-secret filming began February 4, 2020, in San Francisco under the code name “Project Ice Cream,” with filming also taking place in Germany and Chicago. Production was halted on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but then resumed in August. Filming wrapped in November 2021.

The film opens from Warner Bros. in theaters and day-and-date on HBO Max December 22.

The Matrix Resurrections, despite (and because of) its infinite goofiness, is the boldest & most vividly personal Hollywood sequel since The Last Jedi. a silly/sincere galaxy brain take on reboot culture that makes peace with how modern blockbusters are now only about themselves.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 17, 2021

#TheMatrixResurrections is more fun than I remember the sequels ever being. Yes it’s bogged down in exposition like the previous two, but there’s a knowing wink to it all now. Newcomers Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff are key to that. Oh and the climax ROCKS. pic.twitter.com/2aWXYI7YAi
— Nigel Smith (@nigelmfs) December 17, 2021

It’s not perfect. There are some moments that might be complete and utter nonsense. But while THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS broke my heart, #TheMatrixResurrections… did the other thing. And I’m just so happy about that.
Full review to come at @consequence next Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/nXX9sSevb1
— Liz Shannon Miller (@lizlet) December 17, 2021

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is a grandiose palate cleanser for the era of clinical nostalgia bait and sexless tentpoles: a totally earnest sci-fi romance with some of the most exuberant set pieces this side of Fury Road, empathetic and incisive in equal measure. Astonishing stuff. pic.twitter.com/tXgNubeF8g
— Dimitri Kraus (@simplykraus) December 16, 2021

The first act of #TheMatrixResurrections is STELLAR. Smart, funny, weird, self-referential & unexpected. Add to it wildly inventive action sequences, lofty storytelling decisions & a TON of big ideas that will fuel lots of questions. Trust me, multiple viewings will be required pic.twitter.com/q4jt0KQqft
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 17, 2021

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is a total blast. Weird, romantic, *extremely.* meta, and consistently funny. I kind of loved it. (Also, everyone in this movie is ridiculously hot.) #TheMatrixResurrections
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) December 17, 2021

So far I have personally spoken with half a dozen friends who’ve seen MATRIX 4 and no two reactions were identical. Excited to see where this takes us.
— Scott Wampler™ (@ScottWamplerBMD) December 17, 2021

You’ll probably see it on the Oscars shortlist for Visual Effects but it might 50/50 for something like sound.
Franchise rankings:
The Matrix
Reloaded
Resurrections
Revolutions
All this needed to do was be better than the last one. Mission accomplished? #Matrix #Oscarspic.twitter.com/fj6UwiAxhO
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) December 17, 2021

I’d definitely recommend watching the first three #Matrix movies if you can as the new film references them A LOT. Longtime fans w/ dig this film & the ways it twists the mythology. It also lays groundwork for not just more sequels, but also prequels. WB could go Matrix wild! pic.twitter.com/tk6zgy5hx9
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 17, 2021

The Matrix Resurrections — good stuff is unfathomably great, missteps mostly means to a lovely end. Nice movie about getting old. So swooningly romantic I sometimes couldn’t take it.
— Nick Newman (@Nick_Newman) December 17, 2021

lots to discuss in matrix resurrections but also i think there is a shot of keanu taking a shit or at least peeing sitting down
— Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites) December 17, 2021

The past two weeks I’ve been talking to a ton of people who all, with the exception of one, have been like ‘Matrix Resurrections is going to be so so divisive, but I think I loved it?’
— Aaron Stewart-Ahn (@somebadideas) December 17, 2021

There was a point in the middle of The Matrix Resurrections where I briefly thought it was the best movie ever made, and, like, I haven’t convinced myself it’s NOT?
I lovvvvvvved it. A lotta people are gonna haaaaaaaate. My favorite kind of movie!!
— Emily VanDerWerff (@emilyvdw) December 17, 2021

The Matrix Resurrections: best movie of the year? So angry, so joyous, so fun.
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches) December 17, 2021

#TheMatrixResurrections is a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise’s legacy. Finds an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story. Keanu Reeves & Carrie-Anne Moss’ chemistry burns. Jessica Henwick is a revelation! @TheMatrixMovie pic.twitter.com/xRawqiOcuu
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) December 17, 2021

#TheMatrixResurrections is an almost 2.5-hour exposition dump with choppy action scenes reminiscent of the Bourne movies. It reuses far too much footage from previous installments and is meta to a fault.
— Jeff Nelson (@SirJeffNelson) December 17, 2021

I am deeply happy for those who will enjoy #TheMatrixResurrections. I am, regrettably, not among them. It’s leagues better than Reloaded and Revolutions – which let’s be clear are really not good – but has bad stakes. Nothing matters, and not in a cool nihilistic way. pic.twitter.com/RnbQutdkKR
— Alison Foreman (@alfaforeman) December 17, 2021

#TheMatrixResurrections is a comedy. The action is disappointing and the new characters are thin. But the metatextual commentary is biting. It wrestles with its own legacy in that JURASSIC WORLD/BAD BOYS 3/RP1 fashion. I prefer the first three, but this is a wild swing. pic.twitter.com/7i3n5qUvOq
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 17, 2021

MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is much more meta than you’re expecting, locking on to the original film like a Sonic & Knuckles cartridge so it can remix and riff to Lana W’s delight. Loved all that, loved the love story, loved gay actors throwing punches. But action is surprisingly blah!
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) December 17, 2021

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Another twist they could do is that it was all a dream that Keanu had.

 

[IKOL]

Another twist they could do is that it was all a dream that Keanu had.

they kinda played on that in the movie but... take, just watch for yourself when this shit appear on torrents.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

Everyone in this movie is ridiculously hot.

I hate these weird, gay, cringe comments. Keep your shit in your head, degenerate.

Loved gay actors throwing punches.

So them being limp-wristed faggots in real life improved the film's fight scenes...how, exactly?

 

[IKOL]

I hate these weird, gay, cringe comments. Keep your shit in your head, degenerate

they are thirsty for good fuck but soyent do not resolve the issues of erectile dysfunction.

 

[The handsome tard]

IIRC - that Morpheus died in the Matrix Online game, which is apparently canonized in the lore.

I think it was implied he was still alive somehow but the matrix online grand arc was never able to be properly concluded.

Besides don't get me started on the can of worms if Online is canon to the new movie. Which most likely isn't.

But several programs actually recognized Neo, and we saw footage of his predecessors reacting to the Architect in his TV dome. But it would be very current year to dismiss all that because It's Her Turn.

A tranny is directing this so it's very possible

"Bullshit.BULLSHIT"

Larry: denial is the most predictable of responses

I saw the first movie yesterday and jesus it's so 90's it hurts

We all wish we were back at the 90's and early 2000's, don't lie to yourself

 

[Kheapathic]

We all wish we were back at the 90's and early 2000's, don't lie to yourself

Cell phones weren't as big, so there was always the danger of the unknown. Politics was always a thing, but not being shoved down our throat 24/7, namely because of the best part... no social media. There's plenty of other things I could list, but I'll keep it short, the 90's were a great fucking time.

 

[murgatroid]

Neo and Trinity are both dead. How are they back? Is this like the new Halloween where they threw out everything but the original?

I have a feeling this movie will spend more time explaining its premise than actually advancing the story.

I seem to remember the story being that there is a constant cycle of the matrix building itself and a recurring prophet neo, trinity etc but that the neo we were watching was supposed to be the chosen chosen one who would break the cycle.

However the plot got too retarded and gay for me to keep track so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[The handsome tard]

Cell phones weren't as big, so there was always the danger of the unknown. Politics was always a thing, but not being shoved down our throat 24/7, namely because of the best part... no social media. There's plenty of other things I could list, but I'll keep it short, the 90's were a great fucking time.

I say the 2000's were the perfect balance between the best of the 90's and 2010's.

The internet was this undiscovered country, a true wild wild west where passion reigned supreme and trolling was a naturality. And the internet scared boomers before social media was the gateway drug for them.

 

[TurdFondler]

Blogs were way more entertaining than video. Finding obscure blogs about even more obscure subjects was the greatest thing.

The Matrix came out right around the y2k panic, there was a huge fear of the unknown as the internet slowly invaded real life. The entire feel of the movie would fall flat were it to come out today. Kids these days will never know what it felt like to hear a stoned retard preaching about reality as a simulation over laggy CounterStrike voicechat on dialup.

 

[Tasty Tatty]

I seem to remember the story being that there is a constant cycle of the matrix building itself and a recurring prophet neo, trinity etc but that the neo we were watching was supposed to be the chosen chosen one who would break the cycle.

However the plot got too retarded and gay for me to keep track so maybe I'm wrong.

The cycle was that some people became aware of the Matrix and wanted out. These people eventually tried to help others out and caused disruptions in the Matrix. The machines tried to chase them down, killed them all, and new people started doing it again. The cycle being broken was that the machines realised that letting these people go was an acceptable loss for them, the Architect even said he wouldn't break this deal because he wasn't human, meaning, it was the right and logical solution for their problems.

So, in theory, you can have a plot where this "deal" is broken (say, humans try to blow up the whole Machine world, the machines won't just stay quiet, will they?) but you don't need Neo or Trinity for it.

 

[Phalanges Mycologist]

You know what I was initially interested in this, The Matrix was a really good film for it's era the sequels not so much.

I wish in the Era of Retcons they go back and Resurrect the original script for 2 and 3, where Neo realises that he's only "The One" while others believe he is the one, and how he realises that Morpheus (Laurence Burned Fish) is a religious zealot and doesn't really care about the people but the mythos of The One and he selected Neo for reasons.

Neo was meant to have a discussion with Smith revealing that every time Neo kills a agent he's really killing a Person and that Morpheus not him his the reason for the agents existence as while they expected a number of people to disappear and form the community known as Zion that was planned for and accepted. Morpheus has been freeing people at a rate that makes the Matrix and the Survival of the Human race untenable (earth is canonically uninhabitable) and that he himself had worked on The Matrix software as while machines could create there creation was more sterile and humans didn't like it that's why neo with the loaned powers of others could manipulate the matrix it's self more than any other Free Human and Morpheus knows this.

Neo was supposed to have made a choice at the end of the second film but it wasn't a binary it was supposed to be one of unity, and there was supposedly going to be a revelation about the nature of the matrix and humans. It was hinted that the Machine and Human war ended with no winner and a truce but the world couldn't sustain humans or machines so there was something about that planned.

 

[pwnest injun]

IMO, the correct ending to The Matrix would have been Neo negotiating some sort of peace with the machines, achieving freedom for those who want it. Happy ending for everyone. Then it zips out to show he's still in the pod, and it goes to the next pod and its some lady and she's plugged in, but she's mumbling "I know kung-fu," and the next one is like "Woah" and so on, because they're all just living the Hero's Journey fantasy over and over again, since that's the trick to mesmerizing people into eternal complacency.

 

[ditto]

The Matrix came out right around the y2k panic, there was a huge fear of the unknown as the internet slowly invaded real life.

Also X-Files, UFOs and government conspiracies were more mainstream. 9-11 snuffed that out.

 

[Phalanges Mycologist]

Also X-Files, UFOs and government conspiracies were more mainstream. 9-11 snuffed that out.

That's a really good point, I might have been a kid but I was really into the X-Files and recorded most episodes on VHS but 9/11 sorta killed that genera, not just on TV but on Radio and in Print as well, when I saw growing up there was a news agent that has a small but well stocked mag section of UFO, Ghosts, Conspiracy stuff within 6 months of 9/11 it mostly disapeard.

Now don't get me wrong I know it's mostly if not totally hocum but I like reading about it. Call it a pseudoscientific muse that taps into my love of Sci-Fi but its sad that the media mostly died out.

 

[Standardized Profile]

A big part of it was Y2K fizzling. Then we found out there really were conspirators acting out the pilot episode of Lone Gunman, but they were the same bearded weirdos who had been blowing up ships and embassies for a few years. The world was suddenly more dangerous but less interesting.

 

[Cuckoman]

Critics liking it just makes me more wary. And comparing it to Last Jedi?

It is written by troons. Any critic saying anything negative about it is just asking for antifa to come and firebomb his house.

 

[CatParty]

It is written by troons. Any critic saying anything negative about it is just asking for antifa to come and firebomb his house.

Won’t even be a full day of release before the “bigots are review bombing” stories hit

 

[Return of the Freaker]

The only good thing the Wachowskis ever did was the first Matrix movie. Clearly it was a fluke.

What if it wasn't going to be a fluke? *puts on tinfoil* We all know that the Wachowskis discovered that they were True And Honest Women because they were extreme coombrains with the same sissy hypno dominatrix who also doped them up on GHB iirc. This dominatrix also ingratiated herself into their lives and got to have input in their stuff.

What if some people were actually threatened by The Matrix, and how it got peoples' almonds activating. Even if it was in really basic ways? So let's take these up and coming artists and subject them to some MKULTRA to sabotage them and ultimately subvert their original messaging? I'd love to know who first introduced them to that dominatrix....

Anyway, thanks for coming to my TED Talk!

 

[Kerr Avon]

I hope Sophia Stewart files another lolsuit and actually wins.

The Wachowskis ensuing 41% would be amazing.

 

[Happy Fish]

So wait why did the Wachowski Brothers hand this one off to their ugly sister?