Warner Bros.
- The first reactions to The Matrix: Resurrections from critics and journalists have hit the internet.
- One thing seems to be for certain: it’s absolutely better than the third film in the franchise, The Matrix: Revolutions
- The Matrix: Resurrections will hit theaters and HBO Max on Wednesday, December 22.
Warner Bros. screened The Matrix: Resurrections for movie critics and journalists earlier this week, and the first reactions seem to indicate that — while your mileage on its aggressive meta-ness may vary — the film is certainly a massive step up from the previous film in the series, The Matrix: Revolutions. Unfortunately, given the truly excellent quality of the original, The Matrix: Resurrections doesn’t seem to quite live up to those heights, although honestly, that was to be expected.
What many critics seem to be highlighting is the fact that The Matrix: Resurrections is not only extremely self-aware about its own history but about the nature of Hollywood reboots and sequels in general.
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
#TheMatrixResurrections is more fun than I remember the sequels ever being. Yes it's bogged down in exposition like the previous two, but there's a knowing wink to it all now. Newcomers Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff are key to that. Oh and the climax ROCKS. pic.twitter.com/2aWXYI7YAi
— Nigel Smith (@nigelmfs) December 17, 2021
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
So far I have personally spoken with half a dozen friends who’ve seen MATRIX 4 and no two reactions were identical. Excited to see where this takes us.
— Wampler™ (@ScottWamplerRIP) December 17, 2021
#TheMatrixResurrections is too self aware of its existence. Poking fun at itself a bit too much, it's very heavy on the love story, with not a lot of showstopping action and effects, which is what the people want. Best part is Jonathan Groff but that's just life at this point. pic.twitter.com/kXd8usdV0M
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) December 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/emilyvdw/status/1471668975129948170
The Matrix Resurrections: best movie of the year? So angry, so joyous, so fun.
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches) 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
https://twitter.com/somebadideas/status/1471672152348893185
It's not perfect. There are some moments that might be complete and utter nonsense. But while THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS broke my heart, #TheMatrixResurrections… did the other thing. And I'm just so happy about that.
Full review to come at @consequence next Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/nXX9sSevb1
— Liz Shannon Miller (@lizlet) December 17, 2021
I’ll be seeing The Matrix: Resurrections on Monday, so make sure to check back here for our full review of the film next week. Regardless of how good I find the film to ultimately be, one thing will be for certain: more Keanu Reeves is *always* a good thing.
RELATED: Truly Brilliant Marketing Team For ‘The Matrix’ Takes Excellent Shot At Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta
Starring Keanu Reeves, The Matrix: Resurrections also features Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Priyanka Chopra, Christina Ricci, Jada Pinkett Smith, Neil Patrick Harris, Lambert Wilson, and Daniel Bernhardt. The film is set to hit theaters and HBO Max in the United States on Wednesday, December 22.
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