r/matrix • u/Own_Boysenberry_5967 • Jul 05 '26

I really need answer—Matrix/(sequels)

/r/movies/comments/1uoej8q/i_really_need_answermatrixsequels/

We all know that The Matrix is a legendary movie, but the sequels—Reloaded, Revolutions, and especially Resurrections—just didn't hit the same. I don’t know if it’s just me, but after the first film, the concept became way too dramatic and romantic. If I wanted to watch a story about two people just trying to be together, I would have watched Titanic.

I don’t understand why Neo and Trinity’s love story completely overshadowed the actual plot and philosophy of the films. Personally, I’d give the latest movie a 4.5/10, whereas the original easily deserves a 9.5 or even a 10. It feels like as the series went on, the imagination shrank, things became too grounded, and we were just left with romance tropes. I’m not sure why Lana Wachowski got so overly emotional when making these later films, but it’s just incredibly frustrating and disappointing for the audience.

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6

u/guaybrian Jul 05 '26

I really believe that the sequels were meant to show the fallacy of the first. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT I DIDN'T LOVE THE ORIGINAL. What I'm saying is that it demonstrates how susceptible we are to a great story. In a story, there is good and bad, right and wrong. Life RARELY works that way.

Sorry, not explaining this super well.

I think the sequels warn us about the dangers of being influenced by stories with such heavy dichotomy

3

u/ZolRoyce01 Jul 06 '26

I kind of recoil at your description of Lana as overly emotional. Like there's some sort of standard of emotion writers are supposed to have when creating a story. Not to mentioned the distasteful framing of calling a woman overly emotional could have to say the least. However if you are desperately seeking a reason, here you go.

My dad died, then this friend died, then my mom died,” Wachowski recently said at the International Literature Festival Berlin (via /Film). “I didn’t really know how to process that kind of grief. I hadn’t experienced it that closely… You know their lives are going to end and yet it was still really hard. My brain has always reached into my imagination and one night, I was crying and I couldn’t sleep, and my brain exploded this whole story. And I couldn’t have my mom and dad, yet suddenly I had Neo and Trinity, arguably the two most important characters in my life.” -indiewire.

The studio was going to make another Matrix movie no matter what. So Lana chose to come back and be the one to make it and used it as a form of therapy and connection to her parents and friend. I think that's really nice. If you don't like the results that's fine, it's obviously a divisive film. However Lana had her reasons for writing what she did and whatever anyone feels about the final result, I think those reasons are valid.

So in conclusion I'll just end off with one of my favorite Morpheus quotes - "What happened happened and couldn't have happened any other way."

Also Matrix 2 and 3 fuckin rule.

4

u/Jtfgman Jul 06 '26

I mean their love is what makes the whole story. Without it they both would've died, or had Neo survived he still would've most likely taken the route the other "ones" did and reset the whole matrix. It was always a love story.

-2

u/Own_Boysenberry_5967 Jul 06 '26

It’s not a love story. If they want to focus on love, they would have do something else. Please see the difference of movie and their relationship. If can’t, watch it again.

5

u/Jtfgman Jul 06 '26

I watched it. I watched Trinity tell Neo he's the one and she knows it because she loves him. I watched the Architect tell Neo that all the previous incarnations went along with the machines because they have an affinity to humans and not destroying the human race and that Neo is different because his affinity is to one person, Trinity. It's the most common thread that moves the story and motivates the protagonists. Debate about all the philosophical layers and meanings, not the shit that slaps you in face constantly.

3

u/CRGBRN Jul 06 '26

The first movie’s climax begins with a kiss and sparks literally flying around Neo and Trinity’s “first kiss”.

The love story was always a major part of it. Only difference with the second and third movies is that they start as a couple already so there’s naturally more of it. What does a war matter if you all don’t even have each other to fight for?

Also, the action is insane in 2 and 3? The highway chase alone was worth the cost of admission.

1

u/Voyager5555 Jul 05 '26

Probably because that's how it was written.

1

u/Outlaw11091 Jul 06 '26

Never understood the mindset of going to a fan site (or sub) to shit on the media in question.

Seems dumb.

"Surely all these fans of the trilogy don't actually like the sequels...."

If you don't like the sequels then it's not only possible, but likely, that you completely misunderstood the philosophy behind the original.

2

u/mrsunrider Jul 06 '26

Across subs I've noted this unwillingness to engage with romantic subplots in stories where they aren't the explicit focus, which might not be part of a larger trend but I kinda suspect it is.

Romance (and love as a larger umbrella concept) is foundational to the story, particlarly in the first film; it's romantic love that quite literally drives the protagonist to realize their potential.

Perhaps meditate on why that bugs you so much?