Colin Mowthorpe

Resurrections is at the beginning witty and smart in referencing the original matrix as a video game designed by the resurrected Thomas Anderson. Discussion on marketing and branding and a swipe at Warner Brothers was kind of amusing. Maybe trying to make a statement about how we can be manipulated and controlled by media and the interests behind them into thinking fact is fiction and vice versa. The new Morpheus was very entertaining and colorful, as indeed was the film. Gone is the green hue of Matrix itself, but also gone is the intricately planned and sharply filmed fight scenes of the original trilogy, so beloved by the fans. In its place we have mass brawls where it is often difficult to work out what's happening. I found the pacing to be OK, and certainly didn't feel that it dragged. There was also enough ideas in the film to keep me thinking for a few hours afterwards. However after the first half hour it didn't have anything new to say or further the story. If the idea was set the scene for ressurrecting the movie franchise, I'm afraid in my opinion, it failed. A much shortened version of film would have worked better as part of a collection of short stories, such as the brilliant Animatrix. I agree with other reviewers that there was a degree of disneyfication going on with some warm and cuddly machines seemingly on the humans side, which was very briefly explained in the film. This is certainly not the hard edged, passionate, pvc clad, fest of the original trilogy. The biggest issue I have with this film (and many others) is the lack of jeopardy. Not one of the characters we were asked to care about met their demise and therefore there was no real consequence to their actions, which in turn stifles it's believability. It is then just another Sci-Fi film, a very enjoyable one on a basic level, but no real depth. Finally I'll repeat, the film is entertaining and not completely without good ideas and the chemistry between Neo and Trinity works making for a compelling central romance which is at the heart of the film and drives it's action and purpose. Do go to see it if you can, and make your own mind up. I'd happily see it a second time.