‘Matrix Revolutions’

As I had started it, I had to finish the series. I am not entirely confident I enjoyed the third movie as much as I did once upon a time, but finding out why might be difficult.

The third installment in the Matrix series has a far more serious moment than the previous two: humanity is about to die. How can we save it? What do we need to do? Admittedly, the right question to ask might be “Should we save humanity?” but no one there wants to do that. So, we’re left with trying to save them.

One thing that does not change from the previous two is a number of decent fight scenes. The final moment of combat between Smith and Neo is quite enjoyable — the soundtrack is incredible for those scenes as well. There is, however, an additional great part to this duel that only enhances the experience.

That would be the dialogue. Smith is as excellent as ever before.

Why, why, why? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you’re fighting for something? For more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose.

I don’t know how enjoyable a task it was to try to think of things for Smith to say, but they have come up with a very interesting range of philosophical statements. Sure, Smith’s own vantage point is not very easily approachable for most of us, but what he says could be: how do we differentiate between what is actually real and what is a constructed value?

That indeed is probably why I enjoy this scene so much. It makes me think of how emotions work, and what is the actual basis for emotions.

On the side of the other major battle, the defense of Zion, I am not as confident as I used to be. Those battle scenes were quite enjoyable for me, and now they seem as nothing special. There are plenty of similarities with a number of other movies that can be watched, and these scenes do not really add to the quality of this movie. It purely makes for more entertainment.

However, there is plenty still which is worth taking a look at, and as I said above there is a bit of material in here which can make a person think — that is, if they want to think about complex issues.