The Matrix Revolutions (R)

Finale with same heavy violence, weaker script.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
1755_orig.jpg
Movie details
  • Studio: Warner Bros., Warner Bros.
  • Directed By: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
  • Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Keanu Reeves
  • Running Time: 128 minutes
  • Release Date: 11/05/2003
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 04/05/2004
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: sci-fi violence and brief sexual content

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that as with the first two films, there is a great deal of battle violence. Characters are wounded and killed and there are some grisly graphic images. Characters swear a lot, mostly the s-word.

Families can talk about the source of the character names, a veritable encyclopedia of mythological references. What do the discussions of balance and choice mean? Of love and karma? Who is the Oracle? Who is the Architect? What is the train?

Message

Social Behavior:

Very strong minority and female characters.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Extreme peril and violence, characters killed, some gross effects. Extreme peril.

Sex

Some brief passionate kissing.

Language

Frequent swearing.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

The third installment of the Matrix series focuses on two storylines. First, Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) has to pilot a ship through some very tricky thing while guys in huge robot things fight off zillions of cool flying octopus-like machines. Meanwhile, Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), on another ship, are heading straight for city occupied by the machines for a Dorothy-and-the-wizard-in-Emerald City-style confrontation. There is a brief encounter with the Frenchman and Persephone (the still unimpressive Monica Belluci) in a nightclub that appears to be occupied with writhing bondage and discipline freaks. Neo visits the Oracle in her cozy kitchen (now played by Mary Alice, replacing the late Gloria Foster) and has a strange conversation about love and karma in an antiseptic train station.

Is it any good?

2
Please someone, get me the blue pill. I want to forget that this ambitious and noteworthy series is ending so weakly. The Matrix: Reloaded ended with the rebel forces of Zion preparing for the imminent invasion of the machines. Whatever script problems it had were more than made up for by the spectacular action sequences and the promise of a third chapter that would bring everything together. But that promise has been broken. REVOLUTIONS has the weakest script of the three, with pretentious dialogue that provoked laughter from the audience and a muddled structure that removes a lot of narrative tension. Worst of all, it has nothing to compare to the innovative "bullet time" effects of the first film or the sensational highway chase scene and combat between Neo and dozens of Smiths of the second. Instead of taking us to the next level, it all seems like a tired rehash.

The dialogue thuds, a mishmash of barked orders and cardboard heroics. But some of the performers manage to inject some life and dignity. Jada Pinkett Smith is the Matrix's Han Solo, a charming rogue who can pilot a ship better than anyone else. Nona Gaye (Zee) makes her brief time onscreen memorable as a woman who overcomes her fear to give everything she has to the revolution. Though Mary Alice does her best, she cannot replace Foster, whose Oracle was the anchor of the other two movies. Hugo Weaving remains superb as Agent Smith. But it takes too long to get to the big final confrontation between Neo and Smith and the fight is not worth the wait. The scariest moment in the movie was when it intimated that there might yet be another episode.

Support Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a non-profit and will receive a portion of your purchase from Pricegrabber. Learn more.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 13 reviews.

2


Posted on 07/07/08 by ferraris_rock Kid contributor, age 14

Final Matrix is a let down

I was really hoping for something better. This movie lacked the creative power found in the first and second movies, and while it did a mediocre job of providing a conclusion to the trilogy, it didn't add anything to the storyline. It didn't have enough matrix action, and the few parts it did have weren't very good. The Oracle, now a different actor, did well, as did Hugo Weaving as Smith, but most of the other actors were exceptionally marginal at best. The battle for Zion was great in special effects, and would have been cool if it hadn't dragged out for an hour. One character dies in an extremely bloody and gory way, while most only die in a bloody way. The final fight scene was WAY to corny and stretched out, though it did include some good dialouge. Very little sex, but horrific violence in some parts. Lots of language, also. I would have liked to see more of Morpheus and the Architect, as well as more of the Matrix itself. Overall, the movie was just barely passable.
3


Posted on 04/20/08 by The-Edge Kid contributor, age 15
4


Posted on 03/01/08 by lordmax Kid contributor, age 14

I think the best of the 3

I dont see why people say this one has the weakist plot. I think its a bit predictable and slow, but good nontheless. The action is some of the best in the series (has gunplay, brawling, and giant robots fighting the machines). It has taken the #2 spot of my fave. action movies.
4


Posted on 09/28/07 by quest13 Adult contributor
4

Posted on 09/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

This is for a 15 year-old only but great

Unliek the first this one has one grotesk sexual dance party awy from that it was good. I would let a 14 year-old see it if that danc seen wasen't in it but thats the ay it go'sI guess.
5

Posted on 03/07/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 04/28/06 by moviemogul Kid contributor, age 14

Weakest of them all? Bah! Those guys are on something strong...

The Matrix Revolutions has to be about ten times better than Reloaded, and equal to or a bit better than the original. I have no idea how anyone could think this was the worst movie in the trilogy! It has a hell of a lot more story than the second one, and has an incredibly epic feel, especially during the war at Zion. One of the things lacking in the second one was a lack of emotion and humanity, especially in the fight scenes. Revolutions has brought this all back and draws you in deeply, so you feel like your fighting the war for Zion, and you really want the humans to win. The violence is less than in Reloaded, but more than MAtrix. They've added a fair amount of blood (spurting from the bodies, graphic wounds on people), but the Wachowski brothers also took out the pointless sex. Language is the same as always: the "s" word mostly, with some "bastards" and "asses" thrown in their during the war. If your kid saw the second one, than this is probably alright. But otherwise, I know I am mature for my age, this might not be alright for all teens. But hey, if they can see "R" movies, than this is perfectly fine. It actually isn't that bad comapred to other movies, such as Saving Private Ryan. Mature Teens and Up. PS: SEE IT!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!! REALLY GOOD!!!! RUNNING OUT OF WORDS TO USE!!!!
3


Posted on 02/24/05 by fritzsky Adult contributor
4

Posted on 11/25/03 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

Matrix Revolutions, the third installment of the Matrix trilogy, is a must see for those who have seen Matrix and the Matrix Reloaded. The movie is filled with incredible special effects and fight scenes, and the love scenes from Reloaded have been replaced with shorter, more touching ones. However, due to the violence and profane language, it would not be recommended for young children.
5


Posted on 11/21/03 by Shatterd Adult contributor

Awesome Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Matrix Revolutions is a great movie.

See all 13 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

4


Posted on 09/28/07 by quest13 Adult contributor
4

Posted on 09/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

This is for a 15 year-old only but great

Unliek the first this one has one grotesk sexual dance party awy from that it was good. I would let a 14 year-old see it if that danc seen wasen't in it but thats the ay it go'sI guess.
3


Posted on 02/24/05 by fritzsky Adult contributor
5


Posted on 11/21/03 by Shatterd Adult contributor

Awesome Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Matrix Revolutions is a great movie.
3

Posted on 11/20/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Strong proactive women and diversity rule

This review applies to all 3 films in the Matrix Trilogy.<p>Although the Matrix series contains some graphically violent scenes, they are done poetically (think "Crouching Tiger") so that their artistic value comes through more than raw aggression. The Matrix series gave us a chance to discuss some interesting facts of life with our son such as impermanence, the illusory quality of appearances and the basic goodness and wholesomeness of life. I would strongly recommend that parents preview the Matrix series before allowing your kids to watch. It may be appropriate for some and completely inappropriate for others regardless of age. I would also recommend having a good conversation and debriefing after viewing to clear up any misconceptions about the reality of the "poetic violence" and to discuss some of the interesting philosophical ideas. <p> Women and people of color are stong, brave, wise and proactive in the movies and the cast is totally diverse. There are some wonderful role models here. <p> "The Matrix" was by far the strongest film in the series with Reloaded and Revolutions quite a bit weaker. Most of the characters and philosophical ideas were fully developed in "The Matrix". In the subsequent 2 films, the plot got muddled and characters seemed tired with the special effects taking center stage.

Kids Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

2


Posted on 07/07/08 by ferraris_rock Kid contributor, age 14

Final Matrix is a let down

I was really hoping for something better. This movie lacked the creative power found in the first and second movies, and while it did a mediocre job of providing a conclusion to the trilogy, it didn't add anything to the storyline. It didn't have enough matrix action, and the few parts it did have weren't very good. The Oracle, now a different actor, did well, as did Hugo Weaving as Smith, but most of the other actors were exceptionally marginal at best. The battle for Zion was great in special effects, and would have been cool if it hadn't dragged out for an hour. One character dies in an extremely bloody and gory way, while most only die in a bloody way. The final fight scene was WAY to corny and stretched out, though it did include some good dialouge. Very little sex, but horrific violence in some parts. Lots of language, also. I would have liked to see more of Morpheus and the Architect, as well as more of the Matrix itself. Overall, the movie was just barely passable.
3


Posted on 04/20/08 by The-Edge Kid contributor, age 15
4


Posted on 03/01/08 by lordmax Kid contributor, age 14

I think the best of the 3

I dont see why people say this one has the weakist plot. I think its a bit predictable and slow, but good nontheless. The action is some of the best in the series (has gunplay, brawling, and giant robots fighting the machines). It has taken the #2 spot of my fave. action movies.
5

Posted on 03/07/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 04/28/06 by moviemogul Kid contributor, age 14

Weakest of them all? Bah! Those guys are on something strong...

The Matrix Revolutions has to be about ten times better than Reloaded, and equal to or a bit better than the original. I have no idea how anyone could think this was the worst movie in the trilogy! It has a hell of a lot more story than the second one, and has an incredibly epic feel, especially during the war at Zion. One of the things lacking in the second one was a lack of emotion and humanity, especially in the fight scenes. Revolutions has brought this all back and draws you in deeply, so you feel like your fighting the war for Zion, and you really want the humans to win. The violence is less than in Reloaded, but more than MAtrix. They've added a fair amount of blood (spurting from the bodies, graphic wounds on people), but the Wachowski brothers also took out the pointless sex. Language is the same as always: the "s" word mostly, with some "bastards" and "asses" thrown in their during the war. If your kid saw the second one, than this is probably alright. But otherwise, I know I am mature for my age, this might not be alright for all teens. But hey, if they can see "R" movies, than this is perfectly fine. It actually isn't that bad comapred to other movies, such as Saving Private Ryan. Mature Teens and Up. PS: SEE IT!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!! REALLY GOOD!!!! RUNNING OUT OF WORDS TO USE!!!!
4

Posted on 11/25/03 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

Matrix Revolutions, the third installment of the Matrix trilogy, is a must see for those who have seen Matrix and the Matrix Reloaded. The movie is filled with incredible special effects and fight scenes, and the love scenes from Reloaded have been replaced with shorter, more touching ones. However, due to the violence and profane language, it would not be recommended for young children.
3

Posted on 11/11/03 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

extremely entertaining but in a whole, relatively weak

The Matrix Revolutions is very entertaining while watching in the theater, mostly because of an amazing use of technology and the development of some characters (noteably Niobe), and because the tremendous amount of violent action adds to the rush of being in the theater. However, its plot and dialogue were ultimately unsatisfying. After the excitement of the first Matrix, its many vitues, which included complexity and simplicity molded into one amazing plot, and its unforgettable characters, were hard to beat. Revolutions finally finishes with a bitter-sweet end that leaves you missing the first film of this declining trilogy.
5

Posted on 11/08/03 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

The Matrix Trilogy Goes Out With A Bang

Matrix Revolutions is the best possible conclusion to the Matrix trilogy. It pulls no fast ones, and leaves viewers with a resolution, but still unrest. This is one of the few movies, such as Phsyco minus the end phsyciatrist and SIgns, that keeps building tension through the end of the film. Most of our questions are answered, and the characters stay true to their motives. The fight for Zion is the scariest scene in film this year. The tension and anticipation for smith/neo oracle/architect and zion/machines battles created during the first two films and Reloaded especially makes the action scenes in this movie so effective. Matrix could not stay true to its science fiction roots and be an action film. But Reloaded and Revolutions strike the balance perfectly with their video game dialogue and epic scenes that fill viewers with wonder. The Matrix is a trilogy with three masterpieces. Revolutions does not pale in comparison with its predecessors.
See all 8 kids reviews >
Review It

All Things Naked Brothers Band

All Things Naked Brothers Band
What do your kids do online?
Surf
35%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
5%
Chat with friends
40%
62 votes