“The Matrix Resurrections” Early Reactions: A Bold, Irreverent, Vividly Personal Head Trip
The first reactions for Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections are hitting our very own Matrix and multiplying rapidly online. While there are quibbles here and there, the consensus that’s building is that Wachowski has created something vividly personal in Resurrections that has surpassed the previous two films in the installment, Reloaded and Revolutions, by every conceivable margin. Many early reactions cite the joyous irreverence of this film, the way it both honors the past trilogy and comments on it, and the state of modern blockbusters, all at the same time. Oh, and embedded inside the head trip meta-commentary and metaphysics of it all is a love story between Neo and Trinity. Combining all of this into a single, coherent film is a nifty trick if you can pull it off. Sounds like Wachowski did.
What’s also interesting is how many reviewers have noted just how firey this film is, made by a filmmaker with a lot to say. In fact, IndieWire‘s chief film critic David Ehrlich made an interesting comparison:
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
The plot specifics for Resurrections have been kept largely under wraps, but it’s obvious that Neo (Keanu Reeves) is recruited to once again return, via a red pill, to the Matrix to fight the malicious A.I. that has enslaved the human population. His quest seems largely centered on Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), the other main hero from the original trilogy. A new (or young) Morpheus, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will be on hand to guide him, while the film’s main villain, taking over for Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith in the original, is the always game Jonathan Groff.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at those spoiler-free early reactions:
#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
Absolutely adored #TheMatrixResurrections, which builds on where the sequels left off in beautiful and unexpected ways, and presents a world that’s entirely consistent with what came before and also opens it up to a host of new stories. My synapses have been firing for days. pic.twitter.com/X16TuKK6Vc
— Ethan Alter (@ethanalter) December 17, 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
THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is the best romance movie of the year
— Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) 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
#MatrixResurrections combined nostalgia, self-awareness of how the franchise framed the entertainment world, & pure fun into a package wrapped with a Keanu Reeves bow. He and Carrie-Anne Moss bring back that incredible chemistry that I loved so much from the first films. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/R2plTTzFbj
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) December 17, 2021
The Matrix Resurrections is the most META thing ever! The first 30 mins are HILARIOUS but they WORK. It is full of stunning visuals, intense moments, phenomenal cinematography, and it begs to be seen on the BIGGEST screen possible! Fingers crossed for a Matrix 5!#Matrix pic.twitter.com/JtuOF6aYao
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 17, 2021
it appears the Matrix embargo is up and I would like to tell you that it’s super fun and clever in places, quite self-aware in a pleasing way, and also has the greatest Lambert Wilson performance in history
— Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie) December 17, 2021
Without a doubt, @TheMatrixMovie is my fave movie of 2021. It’s easily the best film since the original, Keanu & Carrie-Anne are absolutely stellar, the action kicks all kinds of ass & the story blew my mind. It exceeded every single expectation I had. #TheMatrixResurrections pic.twitter.com/LpeVayTczI
— Heather Wixson (@MMEFXBook out 10/20!) (@thehorrorchick) December 17, 2021
THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS is the most Gen X love story ever told. I love that I felt Lana Wachowski’s journey and heart throughout- and was every bit as meta as a Matrix movie could get. Jonathan Groff is a DELIGHT. It’s fun, heady, enjoyable, and just plain great.
— Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) December 17, 2021
For more on The Matrix Resurrections, check out these stories:
Red Pill Time: “The Matrix Resurrections” Reveals Tons of New Images
A New “The Matrix Resurrections” Clip Reveals Trip Down Memory Lane
“The Matrix Resurrections” Drops Stunning Second Trailer
New “The Matrix Resurrections” Teaser Explores Dangerous Déjà Vu
Featured image: Caption: Caption: KEANU REEVES as Neo/ Thomas Anderson in Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and Venus Castina Productions’ “THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
