neumu [ cinematronic ]




	The Matrix Revolutions
	Andy & Larry Wachowski Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith, Monica Bellucci, Lambert Wilson, Harold Perrineau Jr., Mary Alice, Nona Gaye, Gina Torres, Harry Lennix, Clayton Watson 2003		Set in a world where evil machines keep people captive in a virtual-reality environment, "The Matrix Reloaded" — anticlimactic second installment in the visually innovative, pseudo-religious, sci-fi trilogy "The Matrix" — overdosed on precisely choreographed martial arts and convoluted expository dialogue. But the excesses of "The Matrix Revolutions," the final episode from writing/directing brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski, involve lengthy, complex computer-animated battles between humankind and its machine adversaries. The trite romantic avowals of Jesus-like hero Neo (Keanu Reeves) and his courageous lover Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) are an actual relief from prolonged scenes of soldiers in giant exoskeletons defending the human city of Zion against waves of many-tentacled metallic calamari. As Neo's cyber-nemesis, replicating rogue program Mr. Smith (Hugo Weaving), initiates his takeover, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and other freedom fighters rush to Zion's defense. A real conclusion with answered questions and less bogus jabber makes "Revolutions" an improvement on the second chapter — and required viewing for fans. However, the literal overkill, true to the epic intent of the series, can be numbing.