The Matrix has long been a divisive franchise. While the original released in 1999 is almost universally hailed as a modern cinematic masterpiece, the two sequels released in 2003 – The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions – didn’t get anywhere near the same kind of response, and the last 18 years have seen movie-goers regularly debate their merits. This in mind, it wasn’t surprising in the slightest to see the new film, The Matrix Resurrections get a definitively mixed response from critics when reviews arrived online early last week.
Now, however, fans have gotten their opportunity to make their own opinions about the film – which is now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max – and they have let their respective voices be heard on social media.
Searching around Twitter, a great deal of the reactions to The Matrix Resurrections have been on the positive side of the spectrum, with the blockbuster getting warm responses from members of the movie-going audience most excited to check it out (as indicated by their speed to watch it). A common theme has been an appreciation for its inventiveness and that it isn’t a copy of what we see from a number of major film franchises:
In an age where sequels are as predictable and unimaginative as they can get, Lana Wachowski‘s triumphant return to the franchise is the complete opposite. #TheMatrixResurrections gives you the unexpected with a unique, sorta convoluted, deconstruction of these iconic characters. pic.twitter.com/kslms18mdTDecember 23, 2021
With the film available to stream on HBO Max, some have already found time during the holiday weekend to watch The Matrix Resurrections more than once… or specifically six times in the case of one Twitter user:
Trinity’s Bypass Sequence in The Matrix Resurrections is one of the most breathtaking scenes. I’ve seen the movie SIX Times, And Every time it took my breath away!!! Well Done Sati @priyankachopra #TheMatrix #LanaWachowski #CarrieAnneMoss #PriyankaChopra #TheMatrixResurrections pic.twitter.com/EguIVV8tvtDecember 26, 2021
The Matrix Resurrections features a number of stars from the original trilogy, including Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith, but it also recasts some of the key parts – featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Morpheus and Jonathan Groff as Smith. Groff in particular has earned a fair amount of love from social media with a number of posts like these:
tbh Jonathan Groff killed it as Agent Smith, the recast doesn’t bother me #TheMatrixResurrections pic.twitter.com/lmGjgheBYJDecember 24, 2021
Just because the responses to The Matrix Resurrections are positive doesn’t mean that they don’t include some criticisms. For example, you’ll find one individual below who didn’t quite click with the first half of the film, but appreciated the film by the end:
I saw #TheMatrixResurrections and liked it overall, the premise/story ideas were really interesting.I can see why some didn’t like it much (first half especially) and it kept reusing old lines unnecessarily which removed some originality it could’ve had.My Score: 7 out of 10. pic.twitter.com/b8dkwj5Q2HDecember 26, 2021
That being said, there are also a number of Twitter users who seem to love absolutely every single frame and choice in The Matrix Resurrections. The individual below, for example, went to go see the film in their local theater and ended up expressing adjectives including “fantastic,” “beautiful,” “amazing,” “transcendent,” and “perfect.”
Finally watched Matrix Resurrections. Fantastic theater experience. Blew me away. Transcendent. A perfect continuation of Trinity & Neo’s story as well as Zion’s. Beautiful film. Teared up watching. Amazing. #TheMatrix #TheMatrixResurrections pic.twitter.com/PPK8mJqwEMDecember 26, 2021
Also starring Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas in addition to all of the actors mentioned above, The Matrix Resurrections is now available in cinemas everywhere, and if you have an HBO Max subscription you are just a few clicks away from hitting play. To see all of the films that are set to hit the big screen and streaming in the coming year, check out our 2022 Movie Release Calendar.