Why did Matrix 2 and 3 release in the same year? The Wachowskis envisioned the Matrix storyline as a trilogy since the very beginning. "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" were filmed simultaneously, according to Rotten Tomatoes, but released six months apart in 2003.
The sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, were filmed simultaneously during one shoot (under the project codename "The Burly Man"), and released in two parts in 2003. They tell the story of the impending attack on the human enclave of Zion by a vast machine army.
Why did the 2nd and 3rd Matrix movies come out in the same year?
Because the Wachowskis knew they wanted The Matrix to be a trilogy, they filmed the next two installments side by side and then released them within a few months of each other. Reloaded was released in May 2003 while Revolutions came out in November 2003. Surprisingly, The Matrix phenomenon did not end there.
Only six months separated the release of The Matrix Reloaded (in May 2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (in November 2003). In fact, The Matrix Reloaded was released on DVD only three weeks before The Matrix Revolutions opened in theaters worldwide.
The absence of Lawrence Fishburne as Morpheus in The Matrix 4 frustrated fans who adored his portrayal of the character in the previous films. The Matrix Resurrections had lower stakes and a more somber tone compared to the original trilogy, which may have turned audiences off from the movie.
The Merovingian was the First "One"! | MATRIX EXPLAINED
Did Will Smith reject Matrix?
In fact, Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix to star in the critically panned western adaptation. His decision leaves many spectators wondering why he chose not to take on a role that's now considered iconic in both the sci-fi and action genres.
The Matrix Revolutions shifted the bulk of the focus from the Matrix to the real world, and the conflict taking place in Zion. This was a mistake that robbed the narrative of its most ingenious plot device. When the action finally does revert back to the Matrix, the magic is already gone.
The studio has announced plans to continue the franchise, with a fifth Matrix movie now in development. It will be the first installment in the cyber-action film series without either Lana or Lily Wachowski as directors.
Sunglasses Are An Allegory For Seeing Truth In The Matrix
But like almost everything in The Matrix, the Wachowskis' use of sunglasses does have several thematic functions. On a visual level, the sunglasses help to differentiate between those who are "awake" and those who are still part of the simulation.
The penultimate scene of The Matrix Revolutions sees Neo jacking into the Matrix one last time, where he and Agent Smith engage in a cataclysmic battle. Neo quickly realizes that he and Smith are evenly matched, and he allows Smith to assimilate him.
The MATRIX refers to the systems and structures in society that keep us bound to the traditional ways of living and working. These systems can include societal norms, cultural expectations, educational institutions, and corporate structures that often prioritize profit over people.
The fourth and final film, “The Matrix Resurrections,” directed by one of the Wachowski sisters, Lana, was released toward the end of 2021. In addition to the films, the Matrix franchise includes an animated series of nine short stories that occur at various points in the Matrix timeline.
In fact, given the implied context around the movie, his new appearance acts as a perfect visual metaphor, identifying him as a messiah-like figure in perfect keeping with the film's religious undertones. Neo's new hair and make-up designs share clear similarities with Jesus.
It is statistically unlikely that we are in the one true universe at the top, but it's equally unlikely that we're in reality at the bottom that hasn't yet created its own simulations. If we really are inside one of an infinite number of simulated realities, then we should be able to make our own Matrix, but we can't.
The in-universe explanation for the change in the Oracle's appearance between The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Reloaded was that her outer shell was destroyed by a villainous program called the Merovingian.
The film received nominations at the 72nd Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing, winning all four categories.
But what makes The Matrix several cuts above the rest of the films in its genre is that there are simply no loopholes. The script, written by the Wachowski brothers is intelligent but carefully not geeky. The kung-fu sequences were deftly shot -- something even Bruce Lee would've been proud of.
Though the four main Matrix movies, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Matrix Resurrections, were released in chronological order, the Wachowskis, who are responsible for writing and directing the films, also created nine other animated films which fall under the series The Animatrix, and ...
Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus in the original “Matrix” trilogy, did not return to the franchise for “Resurrections.” Morpheus is long dead during the events of the sequel, but an artificial intelligence based off of the leader (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) does play a major role in the story.
Do I need to watch all Matrix movies before Resurrection?
If it's been a minute since you've seen The Matrix, or the other two films in the Matrix trilogy, don't worry: The new film, The Matrix Resurrections, functions as more of a reboot than a sequel, so you don't need to have every detail of the original franchise under your belt.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Egyptian censors have ruled against the film, stating its excessive violence and religious themes as reason for the decision.
At the same time, Smith develops an animosity towards the Matrix itself, feeling that he is as much a prisoner of it as the humans he is tasked with controlling. He later develops an immense and increasingly open desire for the destruction of both mankind and machines.
The Matrix should have stayed a trilogy. Aside from the action scenes and a few throwback moments, this film is a misfire on many levels. It just doesn't have the feel of a Matrix film at all. Just some cool visual effects, decent action and a bit of uniqueness is what this unnecessary sequel is watchable for one time.
