THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (2003)

 

PHENOMENALITY: *marvelous*
MYTHICITY: *fair*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *adventure*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *metaphysical, sociological*

The largest of the "Little Reveals" in MATRIX RELOADED appears near the conclusion. Neo has returned to his human form of Anderson, and is attacked by some of the AI machines invading Zion. Anderson actually destroys the mechanical juggernauts with some unexplained force; a thing he should not be able to do in the real world. Anderson then falls into a coma, so that REVOLUTIONS picks up with his allies not knowing if their predicted "savior" can even save himself.

This idea of humans gaining powers thanks to their exposure to the computer-simulation ought to be a major plotline in the final film. Instead, the Wachowskis seemed to lose track of that element, concentrating instead on how Anderson's mentality, though not physically "jacked in" to any computers, somehow projects itself, as Neo, into a "transition space" between the real world and the simulation. The hero meets other sentient programs but is initially unable to escape. 

Trinity and Morpheus seek to gather intelligence in the Matrix while Zion continues to lay defense plans for the encroaching machine-army. Trinity and Morpheus are able to liberate Neo, though the matter of Anderson's psychic powers still receives short shrift. The hero's nemesis Smith has begun to extend his influence into the real world, taking control of a Zionite named Bane. 

Anderson, returning to the real world, does not know this when he and Trinity pilot a Zion ship to the nerve complex of their AI enemies, known as "the Machine City," in order to seek some rapprochement. Bane reveals his true nature to Anderson, astonishing the human at this incursion. The two fight, and Bane blinds Anderson, though he's able to use his new psychic ability to sever the connection between the human puppet and its puppeteer. 

The ship nears the Machine City and is attacked, at which point Anderson finally again uses his telekinetic power on some of the robots. However, the ship crashes and Trinity, spared from death in RELOADED, is killed. Anderson does succeed in making common cause with the AIs, who are aware that Smith is the greater threat. Thus he returns to the Matrix as Neo and has yet another super-battle with Smith which, while very good, is no match for the Burly Brawl.

There are some decent philosophical moments here, as when Smith tells Neo he realizes that all life has purpose, and that its purpose, whether organic or AI, "is to end." But though this sells the idea of Smith as an avatar of Death more than just a rogue program, the creators have still lost control of the mythopoeic thread that seemed to unite the original film. What remains is just another "salvation of the human race" conflict. 

I don't imagine my specific disenchantment with the myth-discourse relates strongly to the reasons that moviegoers didn't respond as well to REVOLUTIONS as to its predecessors. 

But I don't know that those reasons didn't include some sense of a potential that somehow, just didn't get realized.