Free your mind

"The matrix" series continues to capture the imagination

By Rosa Guevara

“The Matrix” trilogy began in 1999 and knocked the world senseless. Everyone had to see it and make the choice— red pill or blue pill, and decide how far down the rabbit hole they wanted to go. Since March 1999, we’ve eagerly waited to see if Neo is, in fact, the One. It took almost four years for the second chapter, “Reloaded,” to hit theaters. “Reloaded” had its share of great reviews but left it’s very eager audience wanting more. The cruelest thing done in movie history was “to be concluded…”

Before you watch “Revolutions” here’s a tip: watch “Reloaded.” This movie starts just as abruptly as “Reloaded” ended—right in the middle of nowhere. Warner Bros. was smart in releasing “Reloaded” on video and DVD about two weeks before the last installment of this trilogy hit theaters. If you don’t get to see “Reloaded” before going to see “Revolutions,” you’re probably going to spend the first 10 to 15 minutes trying to remember what happened last.

“ Revolutions” begins with Neo and Bane, the guy who’s body Agent Smith stole, unconscious. Niobe, Morpheus and Roland are discussing what their next move should be. Sentinels are digging through the earth, almost at the doors of Zion, and there is no possible way the commanders can make it back with the enemy between them and home.

From watching “Reloaded,” we already know some of Neo’s power has carried over into the real world. He can’t exactly fly, but after he wakes up we find he can cross over to parts of the Matrix without being plugged in, which leads to interesting predicaments, or fight scenes. Trinity, as always, is there to back up her man in any situation. Her love is tested in “Revolutions,” but predictable Trinity is quick to stand by his side at all times.

You will find familiar characters from “Reloaded,” including the Frenchman, Merovingian and his wife, Persephone. She’s the one who kissed Neo and had her life threatened by Trinity. They don’t end up dead like we all would like them to be but are essential to getting Neo back to the real world. The actress that played the Oracle in the first two movies, Gloria Say, died. She is replaced by Mary Alice. She plays the part well, but unfortunately, we know Say to be the best Oracle.

The fight scenes have improved since “Reloaded.” Who can forget when Agent Smith multiplied himself a billion times and Neo tried to beat every one? It was, quite possibly, the longest fight scene in history. Agent Smith still multiplies himself in “Revolution,” but Neo doesn’t fight each one again. The fight scenes in “Revolutions” are just as amazing as those in all the other chapters, and again “The Matrix” style is still there, slow motion and all. But it doesn’t give you the “played out” feeling you think you would get after seeing it so many times. Something fun that the writers added were the signature moves Neo and Trinity introduced in “The Matrix.”

Does “Revolutions” answer all of your questions? No, it doesn’t. We still don’t know what the future holds for Zion and all its unhabitants, what happens to the real world and, most importantly, what happens to Neo. But it doesn’t leave you hanging and drooling for more like “The Matrix” and “Reloaded” did. Also, it’s confusing as the other chapters were. You don’t really know what the characters are talking about it until they do it. There are a lot of open-ended questions that are answered by “you know what I mean” or “you know what you have to do.” You find yourself asking out loud, “Can you say what you mean, because I don’t get it.”

Do not expect anything. The Wachowski Brothers still do a great job of shocking you and catching you off-guard. If you’re looking for hints to let you know what’s going to happen before you seethe movie, you’re not going to get the from here. Everyone deserves to be as shocked as I was.

But there’s a warning: There will be some broken-hearted viewers. This journey doesn’t end with the typical happy ending, but it does end.

It’s inevitable.