The topic of sequels in The Matrix collection has at all times been a tough one. Whereas the Wachowski sisters’ 1999 genre-defining cyberpunk journey was a milestone for cinema and went on to affect numerous films throughout genres, it is typically agreed upon that each Matrix film to return after it had its points. The Matrix was adopted by The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, each in 2003.
Years after the traditional trilogy, Lana Wachowski returned because the solo director of 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections with OG star Laurence Fishburne lacking from the legacy sequel’s forged, in addition to Hugo Weaving. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, nonetheless, reprised their roles as Neo and Trinity. The fourth installment was additionally considerably divisive because it expanded The Matrix‘s worldbuilding.
Naming the most effective Matrix film is simple, however selecting a favourite sequel is one other recreation. At “The Forged of The Matrix” panel at New York Comedian Con 2025, which featured Laurence Fishburne and Joe Pantoliano and was moderated by Josh Horowitz, the Morpheus actor revealed that he personally likes The Matrix Revolutions — doubtlessly stunning, when Reloaded‘s motion sequences normally give it a leg up.
Fishburne highlighted elements of the story in Revolutions that he discovered compelling, together with Neo being blinded by an harm however nonetheless having the ability to understand his environment, and he and Trinity going to the town of machines. “We knew we have been concerned in one thing that was groundbreaking,” Fishburne additionally mentioned, believing no sci-fi-fantasy motion film that got here after The Matrix escaped its affect.
“No Matrix, no MCU,” mentioned Fishburne. “It does not look the identical.” When in comparison with a few of the different pillars of long-term cinematic storyline, such because the MCU or Star Wars, The Matrix may seem to have had a lesser impression, as its sequels by no means managed to fairly recapture the primary film’s magic. However Fishburne emphasised how The Matrix‘s motion and digital results formed fashionable cinema.
The Matrix clearly could not have pushed itself as far by way of VFX innovation with out Revolutions. The third installment has some scenes reliant on computer-generated landscapes and figures, such because the Machine Metropolis and the Sentinels that assault Zion. Not all The Matrix‘s results maintain up immediately, however even the weaker ones contributed to the evolving artwork kind.
Regardless of the shortcomings of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, seeing its trilogy to completion with relative success helped additional its legacy, and the flicks have their moments. At this time, franchises are essentially the most profitable tasks in Hollywood, evidenced by the truth that The Matrix itself bought a legacy sequel after practically 20 years.
- Forged
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Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, Jada Pinkett Smith, Monica Bellucci, Lambert Wilson, Harold Perrineau, Gina Torres, Collin Chou, Neil Patrick Harris, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Priyanka Chopra Jonas
- Video Sport(s)
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Enter the Matrix (2003), The Matrix: Path of Neo (2005), The Matrix On-line (2005)
- Character(s)
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Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, Agent Smith, Niobe, The Merovingian, The Oracle, The Architect, Seraph, Persephone, Ramachandra, Sati, The Analyst, Bugs, The Keymaker
- Comedian Launch Date
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213024,213027