The last few weeks were huge in the movie-release world. Not only did the Wachowski Brothers' third and final installment of “The Matrix” hit theaters, but Patrick O'Brien's epic tale of high-seas adventure also made its way to the big screen.
“The Matrix: Revolutions” is, of course, the last movie in the ground-breaking trilogy written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski.
As you'll recall, “The Matrix,” released in 1999, told the story of Neo (Keanu Reeves), a lone computer hacker who finds that the world he's been living in is not real, but a computer-generated program designed to keep the human population under control so computers can harvest their body heat for energy. When Neo is awakened by Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne), Morpheus tells Neo that he is The One, prophesied to return and free the humans from machine control.
In the first movie, we see Neo's transformation into The One and his struggle to reconcile himself with it. In the second movie, we see Neo's determination to save the last human city, Zion, and especially the life of his true love, Trinity (Carrie Anne Moss). In the third movie, we see Neo uncover the truth of the Matrix and the battle that is waged between the machines and Zion and Neo and renegade program Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).
That's all I'm going to say — I don't want to spoil to movie for anyone. Just keep in mind that, although this is the last Matrix movie and many questions are answered, you may be left with even more questions. That is the nature of these films.
On a high note, Warner Brothers is considering sending “Revolutions” to DVD as early as late December as part of a boxed set (and a last-minute Christmas present). I guess we'll have to wait and see if Santa brings them or not.
“The Matrix: Revolutions” saw the return of almost all the original cast except for The Oracle. Gloria Foster, the original Oracle died Sept. 29, 2001, of complications of diabetes, shortly after completing filming for “The Matrix: Reloaded.” In this third movie, The Oracle is played by Mary Alice, who explains her changed appearance by saying she had to transform (or something).
“The Matrix: Revolutions” is rated R “for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content,” so is only recommended for mature viewers. If you haven't seen this trilogy, rent the first two, then make the trip to GKC Varsity Cinema in the Sault for “Revolutions.” It's definitely worth it. Of course, if you've already seen the first two, you're pretty much obligated to see the last one. That's how trilogies work.
In addition to three movies, the Wachowski Brothers' vision also inspired a video game, “Enter The Matrix,” and a series of animated shorts, “The Animatrix.” Those of you who still have questions after the third movie may want to see the game and “Animatrix.” Yahoo Movies says they fill in some of the gaps in the movies and help explain some things that were shaded over.
The other movie I saw this week was “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” It is based upon the tenth in a series of novels by Patrick O'Brien, which started in 1969. The original book inspired a total of 20 installments, all set during the early 19th century Napoleonic Wars and follow the high seas adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his ship surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany).
This film takes place in 1806 aboard the British ship, HMS Surprise, captained by Aubrey. When they are ambushed by a French “super-frigate” called the Acheron, Aubrey vows to hunt down and destroy the ship before it can claim the Brazilian waters.
Though the Acheron is much faster and stronger, Aubrey and his crew chase the ship from the stormy waters of Cape Horn up the South American Coast to the Galapagos Islands and their final confrontation.
This was an excellent movie, not just for the amazing battle sequences, but for the breathtaking scenes of the limitless ocean. We also see how almost 200 men can live and work together as friends and subordinates on a ship that doesn't look all that big. We also see how Aubrey and his crew train young men to be officers, someday in command of their own ship.
The movie was harsh and sometimes brutal, but it showed the real life on the ship and didn't just focus on the captain.
“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” is rated PG-13 “for intense battle sequences, related images and brief language,” so isn't recommended for younger viewers. It was a very good movie, though, and everyone else should go and see it.
If this film is successful, it could be the first in a long series of adaptations of O'Brien's books.
Hitting theaters over the next couple of weeks are “Dr Seuss's The Cat in the Hat,” “Gothika,” “Bad Santa,” “The Haunted Mansion,” “The Missing” and “Timeline.”
