[Destor]

Matrix 4 - 3/10

Terrible film. The action is completely generic. Not a frame is worth your time. The retcons to the lore are a joke but to be fair youve always been better off just watching the 1st film and stopping there and that isnt going to change now.

The plot is at odds with itself. The 1st acts "subtext" (and fuck do i use that loosely) is about itself and why it shouldnt exist and its ALMOST an interesting allegory about modern film and vacuum of new ideas using nostalgia as a plot device. It almost works even if what makes it work is the film overtly saying "this is shit and it shouldnt exist and id rather be the architectof its bastardization that watch someone esle do it." Going as far to call out it own studio by name. And it almost works. It doesnt, but almost.

By the time we're in the 2nd act all of that is gone and forgotten and the film shifts gears in tearing down its protagonist until Neo is completely impotent. Which would be fine except the 3rd act doesnt have him restored to his glory but instead leaves him weak and in shambles because Trinity is The One now while giving mouth service that its them together that is The One (lol) but not actually allowing them both to share in the visual glory of that claim. Because that claim is a lie and she is The One now.

Everything that happens in the real world is dull as ever but now its also stupid with machines acting like floating puppies because.. who fucking knows. Theyre cute now. Isnt that great? Hooray. The 2nd act is 90% this and its ass. Jada Smith gives the most flat performance of her career and boy is that a record we didnt need broken.

All the new "characters" are just scarecrows. And visually the aesthetic of the wardrobes makes me long for the originals shiny black latex in a way i would have rejected as impossible.

And the new agents are literally just zombies and visually the 3rd act fight against them is laid out like an episode of the walking dead. Its the 3rd or 4th complete tonal shift where you feel like by the time credits roll youve watched 35 min episodes of 4 different shows. Its disjointed and bizarre.

Its not full of technical errors. Its shot like a professional would put together a film. And thats the only reason i wouldnt rate it lower.