Do you remember “The Matrix” from 1999? Remember its iconic moments and incredible dialogue? The action/thriller classic was breathtaking on multiple fronts serving an edgy, action film with interesting conclusions. “The Matrix: Resurrections” is Warner Bros.’ attempt to pull on that nostalgia by forcefully reminding you of how great the original trilogy was by painfully force-feeding you this film’s concept of originality. “The Matrix: Resurrections” takes everything you loved about the Matrix franchise and turns it into a meta-joke.  

“The Matrix: Resurrections” picks up 60 years after the events of “The Matrix: Revolutions,” with the consequences of Neo’s sacrifice at the end of the film being partially revoked as he is once again put into the Matrix. However, his sacrifice did create a period of peace born out of what was left of humanity, and these are the people who try to help him throughout his new journey.  

Most fans will sit through this film having gone in with low expectations and will still come out feeling disappointed. Of all the recent “reboot-yet-sequel” franchise disasters though, this was easily the least creative example. “Resurrections” banks on the nostalgia from the original trilogy by literally having footage from the original films playing throughout the movie. Realistically speaking, it would’ve been difficult for a new film to be more technologically earth-shattering and mind-bending as the original film was when it released in 1999. However, with “Resurrections,” the filmmakers didn’t even try to put in the effort.  

Although it did not feel necessary as a story, the concept of “Resurrections” was interesting to see, yet unsatisfying. At first, there is a sense of deja-vu and intrigue, but the film quickly turns into a love story with the Matrix as a backdrop. The plot follows Neo and Trinity’s love story as it has become the catalyst for everything in the story. Unfortunately, the fight sequences are no better and break the illusion. Most of the action scenes were filmed at chest level with flailing moves that whizz off the screen so much that you can barely tell what was happening. Neo’s fights essentially boil down to him using Force-like powers as if he were reincarnated as Luke Skywalker. The action is poorly shot and heavily edited, making the film feel like it almost didn’t want you to see what was happening.  

Every character in the film felt like a complete shell of their former selves. Keanu Reeves returns as Neo but seems to be incredibly bored in his performance during this film. The new characters that are introduced are forgettable and aren’t exciting either. Jonathan Groff is a ridiculous choice as a new Agent Smith as he never feels imposing or threatening throughout the film. Neil Patrick Harris once again just plays as himself with his performance, and poor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II tries too hard to replicate Laurence Fishburne’s performance as Morpheus.  

The film also has a terrible problem with its editing as long speech scenes are backed by silence, and the action has no connection to the sound effects and backtrack that made the original film so iconic. This film attempts to poke fun at the modern Hollywood fixation on nostalgia but also falls into its trap. “The Matrix: Resurrections” is one huge waste of time and a completely unnecessary reboot of what should have remained a classic trilogy.