The Matrix Resurrections first reactions out: Critics go from calling it ‘best movie ever made’ to ‘exposition dump’

Although reviews of The Matrix Resurrections aren’t out until next week, a few international film critics have shared their initial reactions to the film on Twitter. Directed by Lana Wachowski, the Keanu Reeves-starrer has left critics divided. While some thoroughly enjoyed the film, many didn’t share similar opinions. 

The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth film from the Matrix franchise, brings back Keanu Reeves as Neo, 18 years after he played the role in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both released in 2003. 

The latest Matrix film not only stars some familiar faces from the franchise – Keanu, Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pinkett-Smith – but also adds a few new names to the franchise, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, and Priyanka Chopra. As the trailers have revealed, The Matrix Resurrections shows Neo trapped inside the computer-generated world with no memory of his past. 

In their initial reactions to The Matrix Resurrections, critics’ were divided and went from calling it the ‘best movie ever made’ to ‘2.5-hour exposition dump.’ 

Forbes critic Scott Mendelson called the movie a ‘comedy’. “The Matrix Resurrections is a comedy. The action is disappointing and the new characters are thin. But the metatextual commentary is biting. It wrestles with its own legacy in that Jurassic World/Bad Boys 3/Rp1 fashion. I prefer the first three, but this is a wild swing,” he tweeted. 

IndieWire’s David Ehrlich, on the other hand, called The Matrix Resurrections ‘boldest sequel since The Last Jedi.’ “The Matrix Resurrections, despite (and because of) its infinite goofiness, is the boldest and most vividly personal Hollywood sequel since The Last Jedi. a silly/sincere galaxy brain take on reboot culture that makes peace with how modern blockbusters are now only about themselves,” he wrote. 

Clayton Davis from Variety said that the film’s focuses on the love story. “The Matrix Resurrections is too self aware of its existence. Poking fun at itself a bit too much, it’s very heavy on the love story, with not a lot of showstopping action and effects, which is what the people want. Best part is Jonathan Groff but that’s just life at this point,” he tweeted. 

Mashable’s Alison Foreman confessed she didn’t enjoy the film. “I am deeply happy for those who will enjoy The Matrix Resurrections. I am, regrettably, not among them. It’s leagues better than Reloaded and Revolutions – which let’s be clear are really not good – but has bad stakes. Nothing matters, and not in a cool nihilistic way,” she tweeted. 

Jeff Nelson of Showbiz Cheat Sheet tweeted, “The Matrix Resurrections is an almost 2.5-hour exposition dump with choppy action scenes reminiscent of the Bourne movies. It reuses far too much footage from previous instalments and is meta to a fault.” 

Kirsten Acuna from Insider recommended watching the previous Matrix films ahead of watching the new one. “Saw The Matrix Resurrections the other week (in IMAX!) and I enjoyed it! Easily better than 2 and 3. It feels like The Force Awakens – a nostalgic sequel/reboot to (maybe?) kick off a new franchise. Definitely re-watch the entire original trilogy in advance. Full review next week.” 

So did Erik Davis from Fandango. 

Meanwhile, People’s Nigel Smith was all praise for Matrix debutants Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff. “#TheMatrix Resurrections is more fun than I remember the sequels ever being. Yes it’s bogged down in exposition like the previous two, but there’s a knowing wink to it all now. Newcomers Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff are key to that. Oh and the climax ROCKS,” he tweeted. 

Also read: Priyanka Chopra confirms Keanu Reeves is ‘nicest guy in Hollywood’, shares story from sets of The Matrix Resurrections

Film critic Joey Magidson summed it up by tweeting, “The Matrix Resurrections is a Matrix sequel, that’s for sure. Better than the last two, it still pales in comparison to the original. Some of the ideas bandied about are interesting, and the cast is game to be back, but not enough feels new here. Solid, but a letdown.”