Jesus takes on machines ... again

In 1999 when The Matrix debuted, it was rightfully declared an instant classic. This past summer came The Matrix Reloaded. The flick didn't connect with audiences or critics nearly as well as its predecessor did though I dug it. Well, as the tagline says, "Everything that has a beginning has an end," and hence, The Matrix Revolutions is upon us. Is it an apt conclusion? Yes and no.\nDue to having a sense of direction comparable to Magellan's left nut, I was 20 minutes late to the pre-release screening. As such, this review is based upon what I saw, namely, a little over three-quarters of the flick.\nI entered as Neo (Keanu Reeves) was having one of his prototypically philosophical discussions with The Oracle (Mary Alice, filling in beautifully for the late, great Gloria Foster). Through the dialogue, it was easy to discern what happened prior: Neo awoke from his coma, and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Seraph (Ngai Sing) faced off against the Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) and Persephone (Monica Bellucci) -- guns were fired -- end of story. \nSoon after, Bane (Ian Bliss) is awoken from his coma. Trouble ensues, as he's little more than a vessel for Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). Matters become all the more dire as sentinels descend upon Zion, and Neo discovers that he must go mano a mano with Smith to save humanity.\nThe Zion battle, much ballyhooed by producer Joel Silver, isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, the mechs, or APUs as they're referred to in the film, are cool, but the whole affair is repetitive and most of the characters aren't developed enough to be cared about. The sequence smacks of a video game aesthetic fueled by admittedly breathtaking special effects. Sadly, these elements take precedence over narrative and characterization.\nHowever, another action centerpiece, the concluding aerial fight between Neo and Smith, is a real showstopper. Gorgeously choreographed and shot, this is the pinnacle of what action filmmaking should be.\nSuffice to say, the movie was a tad underwhelming. Though I will give the Wachowskis and Co. credit for having some stones, i.e. don't get to attached to these characters for many of them will bite it by the final reel. This film is much bloodier than the other two, and that's always cool. \nAlso, credit must be given where credit is due -- I cried not once but twice, and there's something to be said for that -- or not, as I'm a puss.