The much-anticipated Keanu Reeves-starrer The Matrix Resurrections, also featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, is set to hit theatres on December 22. But few international critics have already begun to share their reactions on Twitter, and it is a mixed bag. While some called it ‘the biggest sequel’, there are others who found it ‘disappointing’.
The Indie Wire’s David Ehrlich called The Matrix Resurrections ‘the boldest & most vividly personal Hollywood sequel since The Last Jedi’. Film critic Courtney Howard from Variety called it “a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise’s legacy.” She further wrote: “Finds an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story. Keanu Reeves & Carrie-Anne Moss’ chemistry burns.”
#TheMatrixResurrections action sequences are BIG, meaningfully engaging with character parallels & connections. Lana Wachowski & Co. thread subtle, nuanced nods to the other films through the fight choreography, visual effects, production design & cinematography. @TheMatrixMovie pic.twitter.com/LW9Xg41zeD
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) December 17, 2021
However, not everyone was so impressed with the sequel. Cheat Sheet critic Jeff Nelson called it “an almost 2.5-hour exposition dump with choppy action scenes reminiscent of the Bourne movies.” It reuses far too much footage from previous installments and is meta to a fault, he said.
Forbes’ Scott Mendelson called the action ‘disappointing’. “The action is disappointing and the new characters are thin. But the metatextual commentary is biting,” he shared on Twitter.
#TheMatrixResurrections is a comedy. The action is disappointing and the new characters are thin. But the metatextual commentary is biting. It wrestles with its own legacy in that JURASSIC WORLD/BAD BOYS 3/RP1 fashion. I prefer the first three, but this is a wild swing. pic.twitter.com/7i3n5qUvOq
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 17, 2021
The fourth installment of the Matrix franchise sees Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity. The cast includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson, Daniel, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Christina Ricci and Jonathan Groff.
Speaking about the film, Priyanka had said it was an honour to be "inducted" in the film franchise, known for redefining the action and sci-fi genre with its complex story. "It's an extreme honour to be inducted or included in such a project and especially to be given the responsibility of the character of Sati, which I know is very close to Lana and it was very strategically placed in the previous movie. So, I was very excited when I got the role,” she said.
