It’s been a long wait for The Matrix Resurrections and it seemed the only way to see the film would be in IMAX and massive screen, so last night it was a trip to Cineworld in Broughton to check out the 4th movie in the Matrix franchise.
Back in 1999, we were introduced to the amazing first movie and back then it blew me away, especially with the “bullet time” technique and the other effects that were groundbreaking at the time it was released, now after the two sequels, we are brought the new movie that reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
With Neo (Reeves) reimplemented into The Matrix from the 3rd movie, The Matrix Resurrections takes us further forward in time as we learn more about what is happening to him and the new choices he has to make in the newly designed Matrix and whether or not he should yet again follow the white rabbit down the rabbit hole.
As with all the previous movies the real world and the world created for human batteries is all nicely produced on the IMAX screen, we don’t get that colour tinge that we have seen before in the world created for Neo, instead, it looks very much the real world which sets you off with are we in the real world, could the matrix be a figment of his imagination.
The use of the flashbacks of the first three movies is very nicely done and even the open sequence takes us back to that moment in 1999 when we were wowed in the cinema with those amazing special effects, but there is so much more to this than just reminiscing the original trilogy, The Matrix Resurrections does take us further and is not only a great tribute to those films but also works well to stand on its own.
It’s fantastic to see Keanu Reeves reprise his role as Thomas Anderson/Neo along with Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, we also get some of the previous cast coming back into the film to take us further down the rabbit hole that we would have thought.
The Matrix Resurrections certainly has some great tongue in cheek moments, as Thomas Anderson is now a game developer and with the concept of creating a fourth Matrix game they take poke at themselves with the mention of rebooting/rehashing the story to bring it to new audiences, they even discuss they need something more than “bullet time” to sell the game, a great little touch to bring the two worlds together.
When it comes to the action in the movie it really is very well done, the fight sequences are very much what we expect from the franchise, as are the special effects with the slo-mo and the robots that inhabit the real world, this is a movie that is one that fans like myself of the Matrix trilogy will enjoy for the many moments of nostalgia that arise during its run time.
You can certainly see that Lana Wachowski still has a passion for the Sci-Fi genre and for the world of the Matrix, with Lilly Wachowski taking a break from the genre, Lana is left to direct the film on her own and you can see that she still loves the characters for the franchise.
OK the film may not be as groundbreaking as the first one back in 1999, but it’s still a thrill ride, yes there is still that slightly deep subtext as with all the films, but you can go into that yourself when you see the movie.
Something that I always loved with the first three films is the soundtracks and Matrix 4 certainly has a soundtrack by Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer that feels like it’s suited for the movie, there are those moments when we have those key themes that we all know from the original film and some new and remixed versions of tracks including a remix of Spybreak and a version of Rage Against The Machines’ Wake Up from Brass Against which sounds great, plus a brilliant version of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit.
The Matrix Resurrections in IMAX
OK, let’s get on to the IMAX, much like Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Matrix Resurrections is specially formated for IMAX, but sadly it doesn’t take advantage of using the IMAX Expanded Aspect Ratio and the film runs from start to finish in a widescreen format, but don’t let this put you off from seeing it in IMAX.
The large screen is flawless with the picture quality with everything looking vibrant and crisp, as we all know it’s not just about the image when it comes to IMAX film and The Matrix Resurrections in IMAX is no exception for the sheer power of the sound mix.
The subtle sounds of water dripping, background news from street scenes and the massive rumble of the bass with explosions is exceptional, which all adds to the IMAX experience and the fun of seeing a movie on a very large screen.
The Matrix Resurrections is out now in IMAX cinemas.
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The Matrix Resurrection Blu-ray & DVD Release News
Fantastic news if you are waiting for the release to come to Bly-ray or DVD as we have the special features and the release dates for you.
“The Matrix Resurrections” 4K UHD and Blu-ray™ contain the following special features:
- No One Can Be Told What The Matrix Is
- Resurrecting The Matrix
- Neo x Trinity: Return to the Matrix
- Allies + Adversaries: The Matrix Remixed
- Matrix for Life
- The Matrix Reactions
- Echo Opening
- Deus Ex Machina
- Welcome to IØ
- Bullet Time Redux
- Morpheus vs Neo
- Exiles Fight
- Neo vs Smith
- The San Fran Chase
- The San Fran Jump
“The Matrix Resurrections” DVD contains the following special feature:
- The Matrix Reactions: Welcome to IØ
Digital Download: 14th March 2022 4K, Blu-ray™ and DVD Street Date: 21st March 2022 VOD: 28th March 2022
It's time to plug back in to The Matrix
Movie title: The Matrix Resurrections
Movie description: Return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more.
Date published: December 23, 2021
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 28min
Director(s): Lana Wachowski
Actor(s): Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi
Summary
A nostalgic trip back to the Matrix franchise.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
