The Matrix Ressurections
I'm a science fiction fan and I remember when The Matrix first came out. It bent all the rules of visual and conceptual science fiction. Till this day, it influences so much of what we see and read in that genre.
However, my recent viewing of the latest installment in the franchise - The Matrix: Resurrections - left me, underwhelmed and to be frank, quite disappointed. But not for the reasons most of the film's critics bashed the movie.
Sure, most Hollywood films are going for 'shock value'. They want to stun you awake and alert at different points of the movie. They can do that through interesting plot points that twist and leave a viewer surprised. Usually, this requires a lot of planning and research, in order to pull off something that the viewer didn't anticipate and would be intellectually pleasing or downright enjoyable.
Another way to achieve the same goal is to just throw a monkey wrench in the story line. This sometimes happens in tv shows and when it does, the entire series becomes unbelievable and unrelatable to me. If you watched Season 1 of 'Raised By Wolves' and got to episode 5 and 6 only to sit with your mouth open and your brain unable to make sense of where the storyline was going (only to realize they went there) and unsure whether the rest of the series would be worth your time, then I think you know where I'm headed.
In the case of The Matrix 4, this happened when bodies started falling out of the sky toward the climax of the story. Honestly, I got what they were doing and I understood how that part of the story fit into the overall narrative of machines using humans as disposable machines.
Nevertheless, it felt like a cheap trick. An even offensive one at that. Let me explain, as a Christian, I watch tv and film very differently these days. My mind can't help but ask certain questions.
In this case, seeing human bodies dive out of windows (sorry for the spoiler), reminded me that far too often our entertainment treats human lives as easily disposable. That's why there are more bullets being sprayed in scenes, more blades slashing people open, and generally, an incredibly unnecessary amount of gore.
Sure, storytellers are always seeking to be honest, true to the story. It's why rappers make so much money rapping about drugs and violence - they supposedly lived the lifestyle and so can genuinely depict it in their craft.
But is all this 'germane' story telling necessary? Particularly in light of the fact that research suggests so many people are suicidal given almost two years of pandemic living and the impact of isolation and other uncertainties? I remember how certain movies and tv shows were shelved or delayed after the horrible events of 9/11 out of respect for how sensitive society was about certain very entertaining and germane topics.
The sad thing is that the scene with bodies falling from the sky did nothing to add to the entertainment or storytelling value of The Matrix 4. The creators used the zombie trope but it didn't quite work as they likely intended for me. Maybe because I don't tend to watch zombie programming. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Strain' back in the day and it applied that trope successfully.
All of that said, I continue to respect the hard work creatives put into their craft. As an author, I know how hard it can be. And, I've never had the challenge of making a movie, particularly one that garners high expectations such as The Matrix. I just wish...
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