T5W#318-Top 5 Thoughts on The Matrix Resurrections Trailer

Whoa.  I’m sure that was everyones first reaction last week when, at long last, we got our first look at the sequel no one thought was gonna happen.  The Matrix Resurrections is the official continuation of The Matrix saga, last seen on the big screen 18 years ago with the pretty disappointing The Matrix Revolutions.  There’s so much to take in with this first preview from Neo and Trinity’s unexplained return from the dead to a new Morpheus to taking in the new (and improved) Matrix that is about to become a brand new digital battleground for the minds of all Mankind.  Narrowing my thoughts down to five of them?  You know I like a good challenge.  These are my Top 5 Thoughts on The Matrix Resurrections Trailer.

 
#5-“You Ever Wonder Why We’re Here?”

The original Matrix used the color green to emphasize the digital realm and the code coursing through it at all times.  The new Matrix seems to be a bit more vibrant, I dare say even lively with more colors…with a focus on two in particular.  The Blue Pill, Red Pill motif is nothing new to the Matrix but it feels like the entire trailer cant shy away from it for more than a few seconds.  From Jessica Henwicks attractive blue haired look to Morpheus’ new red dojo outfit, theyre really hitting Neo over the head with the prospect of picking a side.  All that’s missing is a line from Red vs. Blue’s Church, “AND THIS IS THE VOICE OF GOD!!! GIVE UP YOUR EVIL WAYS!!! JOIN THE BLUE TEAM!!!”  Still, a more rich and colorful Matrix is definitely an upgrade compared to the artistic but still a little dated green filter.

 

#4-The Best Jefferson Airplane Mix Ever

Every trailer for every Matrix film has been spectacular, particularly the final one for The Matrix Reloaded.  They’re well edited, show off the right amount of action and mystery and usually build up hype all on their own.  The Matrix Resurrections continues this trend with the appropriately chosen “White Rabbit” track from Jefferson Airplane.  Of course, the song has been given a more cinematic score boost for the trailer and, I’m not gonna lie, this legendary song has never sounded better.  Given the lyrics focusing on Alice in Wonderland and how Morpheus was all about that little comparison in the first film, this is a natural choice of song to play.  Feed your Head indeed.
 

#3-Morpheus, I Presume?

We’ll talk about the returning characters (and how they could even be back) in a second.  Right now, I wanna focus on Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman, Candyman) stepping into the role made famous by Laurence Fishburne.  I don’t disapprove of this casting at all.  Mateen has gotten some pretty big roles in recent years and his star is rising.  He captures Fishburne’s wisdom filled voice and damn if he doesn’t look like a younger version when you seem him rocking those iconic glasses.  Much like other people, how is Morpheus here?  There’s a moment in the trailer where we see him poking at a liquified mirror just like Neo in the first film.  Am I right in thinking Morpheus has been reborn or could there be some Invasion of the Body Snatchers trickery at work in this new Matrix?  Either way, seeing Morpheus walk calmly down a chaotic hallway blowing guys away was freaking boss.

 
#2-Callbacks and Abandoned Ideas Revisited

Honestly, it’s hard not to bring The Matrix back and not lean heavily on nostalgia, particularly from the original film.  It’s a good hook for old viewers who might’ve given up on any chance of a sequel after Revolutions bombed.  Déjà vu, fights in pretty dojos, stopping bullets, Agents jacking bodies, Red and Blue pills galore.  All the evidence is there we’re back in The Matrix.  I also took note of the use of Helicopters during some of the bigger scenes of the trailer.  I recall in the build up to The Matrix Revolutions that there was supposed to be this epic Helicopter chase sequence that never made it to the final movie (doubt it would’ve made it better tbh).  Well it looks like the choppas are being pulled out to stop Neo…too bad he can control missiles now.

 
#1-The Big Question

How the FRAK are Neo and Trinity still alive?  Trinity is the harder case here since we definitely saw her impailed…a lot in The Matrix Revolutions.  Neo could still be around for a number of reasons from his mind being saved or backed up in The Matrix after his climactic battle with Agent Smith.  But I think we saw images of his body somehow being pulled out of the goop in the real world.  So the most obvious answer might not be valid here.  Either way, it looks like Neil Patrick Harris is trying to keep Neo’s memories suppressed with Blue Pills (and a Rubber Ducky…but honestly that just seems like a Keanu thing to me, in a good way).  However, it doesn’t look like this solution will stick as we see Neo and Trinity both back to their traditional brand of kick ass, complete with Trinity elbow strikes and Neo stopping bullets and blowing up dojos with his long dormant powers.
 
BTW, The Matrix Resurrections is scheduled to drop on December 22, 2021.  Gundam Month Mark V-THE GAUNTLET PART II will be in its final stretch with Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ but I do plan on reviewing Matrix 4…so expect it to be my final review of the year on December 31, 2021.  Here’s hoping its at least better than Matrix Revolutions.