1999’s The Matrix is not only one of the greatest science-fiction movies but also one of the greatest movies of all time. However, with such success and esteem from critics and moviegoers alike, the original sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, had big shoes to fill. At the time and over the last two decades, many have criticized and shared their disregard and hatred for the follow-ups. While the sequels are not entirely up to par with the original, they are better movies than most remember and are definitely worth rewatching before The Matrix Resurrections releases on December 22, 2021.
Here are eight reasons why The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions are better than you remember:
1) The Fight Sequences
Much like The Matrix, Reloaded and Revolutions continued to blow audience’s minds with their quick, creative, and CGI-enhanced fight sequences. After exclaiming, “I know kung-fu,” in the first film, Neo constantly puts his moves to the test in the sequels. In the opening of Reloaded, Neo easily defeats a group of agents — a feat that was considered deadly in the first film. Later on, in that same film, Neo uses his superhuman abilities to defeat a horde of Agent Smith’s clones.
However, The Matrix Reloaded was not the only action-packed sequel. Revolutions featured scenes of freed humans in robotic suits taking on sentinels in the real world. Meanwhile in the Matrix, Neo fights an unforgettable, final battle against Agent Smith — the kind of battle that might make Superman jealous.
Overall, the fights sequences like the ones in The Matrix sequels are unrivaled. The scale, imagery, choreography, stakes, and cinematography all blend together seamlessly. The fights in these films leave the audience mesmerized.
2) The Matrix Sequels Have Diverse Casts
Although the protagonist of The Matrix trilogy is a straight, white man, the casts of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions are remarkably diverse, especially for early 2000’s franchise films. Many of the characters who are given significant screen time, positions of power, or critical roles in the story are people of color. One of the most powerful and significant is the Oracle. This prophet is played by Gloria Foster in The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded and by Mary Alice in The Matrix Revolutions. Throughout the trilogy, the Oracle guides Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus, Keanu Reeves’ Neo, and so many more. Yet, she is not the only significant and powerful person of color. Others like Jada Pinkett Smith’s Niobe, Harold Perrineau’s Link, Randall Duk Kim’s Keymaker, Harry Lennix’s Lock, and Collin Chou’s Seraph all play a vital role in saving humanity from the machines.
3) The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions are R-Rated Blockbusters
Unlike the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the Fast & Furious franchise, The Matrix sequels were not afraid of an R-rating. The Wachowskis, who served as the writers and directors of all three original Matrix movies, told the stories they wanted without barriers or limits, and it made them much better.
The Matrix was a highly successful R-rated movie, earning over $460 million worldwide on a $63 million budget. From this success, Warner Bros. gave the Wachowskis a $150 million budget for each follow-up. The Matrix Reloaded earned nearly double what The Matrix did worldwide and even held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated film for 13 years.
All in all, not every movie needs an R-rating, but a rating should never stop visionary filmmakers from bringing their vision to life. With The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, a required rating from Warner Bros. was not a problem, making the movies better than what they may have been otherwise.
4) Neo is Often Separated From the Others
One of the main problems with godlike beings like Neo or Superman is just how powerful they are. When a story has a character who is super strong, can fly, stop bullets, and just seems overall invincible, it can cause significant problems. While many Superman and Superman-esque stories usually come up with silly reasons to sidetrack their godlike characters or incapacitate them, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions take a slightly different approach.
In fact, much of Reloaded revolves around this idea of what to do with/how to challenge a godlike being. Throughout the film, Neo is plagued by a vision of Trinity’s death. Because of this, he fears her reentering the Matrix and fears leaving her alone. While he does end up saving her, the prophetic vision of her death adds tension to the entire film. Later, in The Matrix Revolutions, the tables are turned. Neo is trapped in limbo by the Merovingian and powerless to escape. Trinity — along with Morpheus and Seraph — must return the favor and save Neo.
While this method of storytelling limits the number of interactions between Neo and his friends, it ultimately makes the sequels better. By keeping Neo separate from the others, they can all engage in suspenseful and meaningful conflicts. These conflicts can then further everyone’s growth and the story as a whole.
5) The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions Have Awe-Inspiring Imagery and Cinematography
The Matrix and its sequels deal heavily with metaphors and symbolism, especially visual metaphors and symbols. Many of them have been referenced, parodied, and borrowed by other movies, TV shows, and even political groups. This fact alone speaks to the power of the metaphors and imagery displayed in The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions.
The image above from Reloaded is a brilliant representation of both the imagery and cinematography of the sequels. In this scene, Neo is confronted by the knowledge that he is not special, that he is not greater than the Matrix. He is actually a preconceived and integral piece of it. In fact, he is not even the first Neo; he is the sixth. The image of Neo surrounded by TV screens displaying himself speaks harshly to that fact. He is just one of the many who have come before him — not the singular, unique being he thought he was.
6) Interesting Themes and Ideas
Although The Matrix is undoubtedly unique, it borrows heavily from other science-fiction media, anime, and especially philosophy. In doing so, the original film contains and explores multiple interesting themes, ideas, and beliefs about technology, humanity, and reality. This includes the arguments and analysis presented in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia, and Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation, which appeared briefly in Neo’s apartment in the first film.
By pulling from a variety of sources, Lily and Lana Wachowski created a series of films and a world unlike any other. They put forth new ideas, ways of thinking, and consistently challenged audiences. Above all else, the duo prompted viewers to question their own purpose and the world around them.
The sequels build on these themes and ideas, finding creative ways to explore and even invert them. For instance, at the end of The Matrix, Neo views himself as a free man. However, when confronted by the Architect, Neo realizes he may not be as free as he thought — even if he has been able to see a world beyond the simulation of the Matrix.
7) The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions are Unconventional
By exploring philosophical thoughts and arguments on free will, reality, and more, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions are unconventional. These films are particularly unconventional in how they interpret and utilize these ideas in the story.
As previously mentioned, Neo consistently explores the idea of freedom throughout the trilogy. He becomes physically free in the first film by escaping the Matrix. However, in the second film, Neo learns that his physical freedom was designed. Because of this, the Wachowskis are able to deconstruct the typical hero myth. Neo is no longer a righteous, powerful person fighting an evil system. He is, as the Architect puts it, “the sum of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of the Matrix.” He is a Christ-like piece of the puzzle. However, this is not the only unconventional aspect of The Matrix sequels that make them so great.
The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions constantly take risks. One of the riskiest but most impactful moves the sequels make is giving significant screen time to minor characters, especially in the third movie. In The Matrix Revolutions, there are a number of small subplots featuring different characters doing their part to save Zion. Although Neo had been the primary driving force for heroism in the first two movies, by the third, everyone must play their part and not solely depend on the hero, Neo. This unconventional addition to the third film can seem odd at first, but upon rewatching, it ultimately makes the trilogy better.
8) The Matrix Sequels Continue the Transgender Metaphor
On the surface, The Matrix and its sequels are about Neo and other humans fighting to be freed from tyrannical machines. However, upon further inspection and analysis, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions serve as a transgender metaphor. This metaphor is most easily understood through Neo. In the beginning of the trilogy, Neo is Thomas Anderson. He is pressured to conform, to be what he was assigned, and essentially live an inauthentic life. However, Thomas Anderson denies this and becomes Neo. The identity of Neo represents a more authentic version of himself — a version that does not have to conform to the standards or assignment of life in the Matrix/society. The Matrix sequels build on this metaphor and make them even more interesting to watch upon revisiting.
Although this metaphor was once a theory, it has since been confirmed by Lilly Wachowski, a transgender woman. When asked about whether The Matrix is a metaphor for the transgender experience, Lilly stated, “That was the original intention, but the world wasn’t quite ready.” She also went on to say, “I’m glad that it has gotten out.”
Conclusion:
Before diving headfirst into The Matrix Resurrections later this year, viewers should revisit and rectify their relationships with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. These films are bold, innovative sequels. They build upon the world and characters from the original film without simply rehashing what audiences loved the first time around. Despite being nearly 20 years old, the story-telling, action, imagery, themes, cast, and metaphors hold up, and in many ways, they are better than many — if not most — modern franchise films. Overall, The Matrix sequels are unapologetic, awesome to watch, and deserve more love than they get.
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