Why The Matrix Sequel is 1 big bad idea

It’s been reported that The Matrix sequel — that is a sequel to the first 3 movies — is a thing. So does that mean the Matrix franchise is coming back? Well then, let’s take a look at this thing.

The Matrix sequel? Who wrote The Matrix?

The Wachowski brothers, both writers and directors. I mean the Wachowski’s. I mean, the Wachowski sisters. The now trans women are working on The Matrix sequel. But after the 3 movies (Reloaded and Revoluations were filmed as one movie, and split into two), of horrible plots, lackluster climaxes, and just poor storytelling, you have to wonder why they’re bothering.

They’re also known for their work on V for Vendetta, which is certainly the best adaptation of an Alan Moore comic to film. Props where it is due.

Having worked with J. Michael Straczynski as co-creator on Sense8, they certainly have better avenues for their creative expressions. So why bring back the often laughed at Matrix franchise? Writing doesn’t seem to be their strong suit.

Enter: The Animatrix

The Animatrix is a short story movie anthology of multiple artists telling stories throughout the Matrix universe. I wish more franchises did this. It allows for a series of random, creative ideas to be brought together in movie vignette format, animated or otherwise. It’s arguably a step up from simply releasing a series of prequel anthologies of short stories, but it’s certainly a respectable medium.

Short story fiction anthology books are my favorite. So naturally I enjoyed it. To get an animated version of such a popular franchise is a great idea for multiple people (fans of animation, the franchise, storytelling, etc.) Not all stories were great, but short story package deals are usually worth it.

If The Matrix sequel is to be a thing, it should start with another Animatrix. Have it come out in episodes. Make it a Netflix exclusive. Baby steps!

So should The Matrix sequel start as The Animatrix?

Why not? Let some creative artists brainstorm and work together. See what kind of stories they can come up with. Allow a collective form of storytelling be the basis for the next iteration of The Matrix. Test the waters. Get peoples interest back up. Don’t blow the budget on a thing that a) no one might not even want, b) might be another mess.

Not that we need any more reasons to get Shinichirō Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop fame back into the directors chair for another animation. But his Detective Story short was certainly a highlight worth bringing back.

Are The Matrix sequels worth watching?

No.

The Matrix sequels ruined the franchise.

What started off as a heroes journey into the collective simulation of an Alice in Wonderland story, turned into an episode of Dragon Ball Z. Throw in a cycle of rebirth and destruction, a prophecy, sudden superpowers, out of place random philosophical moments, and you get sensationalistic drivel. You can’t just slam tropes together in sci-fi and hope for the best. Especially when the scenario is brought about via supercomputer Wizard of Oz who has dealt with these particular issues of rats in a maze in a variety of iterations before. Oh woe is they. They just can’t get it right! Those pesky humans and…us granting them reality bending powers! How can us super-intelligent AI keep getting it wrong?

Oh, and the whole thermodynamic impossibility of using humans as batteries.

And the technojargon post-secondary vocabulary gobbledygook of the Architect who has full control of the simulation, yet doesn’t.

Agent Smith keeps replicating? He’s an unstoppable monster. In a giant simulation. Oh, the un-humanity of it all.

The villian becomes a farce

So the super-AI Architect of an open world The Sims couldn’t predict or control this? Even though he created the “Neo” abnormality, specifically selected by the Architect, to give humanity the illusion of freedom? (Please note: there’s the possibility I got this wrong, as it’s hard trying to decipher what some of these characters say at times.)

The problem becomes not one of Neo vs the Machines, but a Rogue AI (Agent Smith) about to bring this all crashing down. Because he duplicates himself. What, after all this time, the super AI’s didn’t have a backup? Just let Colonel Sanders run the thing again? Couldn’t the Architect make a super-anti-Agent Smith and stop him? Did you powercycle the device? How about just give the Architect another global server in case Matrix 8.0 crashes again? You know, it’s the thing that allows you to fuel your entire species. Might be kind of important?

What’s particularly sad is The Matrix, like The Princess Bride, is one of the more quotable and memorable movies of this generation. It’s a shame the The Matrix sequel plots couldn’t hold up.

Why The Matrix is the best movie ever

Many people tend to love the style of the Matrix sequels. The austere jackets, the clip and glue on Pince-Nez, the melodrama, the over the top action scenes, and the way philosophical undertones are expressed. Morpheus with a katana. Then there’s the obvious power fantasy. The simplest element is the reveal of The Matrix, and the heroes journey of Neo. But this was only present in the first movie. And even then, not done particularly well. There were greater movies out there that portray the “mind in a jar” scenario (e.g. Possible Worlds.)

But it all comes down to what all good media has: good storytelling.

Equilibrium is another similar movie, but with a clearer plot and dystopian reality. But, with a smaller budget. Also similar is Dark City. But we all know The Matrix had a bigger budget, cutting edge camera techniques, huge CGI, and big name actors. Without the story, none of these films would be worth watching.

Similarily, both The Matrix sequels and Equilibrium share ideas from the novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson. There’re elements of a future dystopian post-apocalyptic reality. And all sorts of “what if’s” that philosophy students have been thinking up over the decades.

Why The Matrix Sequels are bad

But for all these similar elements and themes from other areas of cyberpunk, science fiction, philosophy, and dystopia worlds? There are some sad, silly elements that had no meaning.

• The fight scenes in The Matrix had a purpose. Neo was learning, or we were world building with him. Reloaded had incorporeal ghosts that jumped around on cars and trucks on a highway. Great action scenes; but mentally vapid.
• Show, don’t tell. The Matrix knew this. The sequels, that had more dialogue and were philosophically heavier, couldn’t get their bigger ideas properly expressed (I’m looking at you, Architect.)
• Neo went on a journey of discovery and potential freedom of humanity. The sequels had the Superman dilemna and didn’t know what to do with it.
• The Matrix was focused on a main character, with characters supporting him throughout his journey; the sequels had…multiple characters following Neo around.
• The Matrix had a real climax that involved character change. The sequels (Revolutions) had a Deus Ex Machina.
• The Neo/Trinity romance seemed to work well in The Matrix (see: the climax.) In the sequels, it was forced and hamfisted at times.

The video game world

So obvious! Make an MMO of The Matrix franchise. Heck, make an MMO of The Matrix sequel. Make a whole bunch of Matrix games. And they were made. And they were all mediocre to horrible.

• Enter the Matrix, where you don’t even get to play as Neo.
• The Matrix: Path of Neo even uses clips from the Animatrix, allowing players to play out key scenes as Neo. Great on combat, bad on everything else. I think they only got Lawrence Fishburne to voice act.
• The Matrix Online was at least a good attempt at creating an online world, but couldn’t compete with other online games, or provide decent content. Being an online game, it has since shutdown.

Outside of a few decent stories in The Animatrix, the series never really evolved in interactive media as a worthwhile avenue for stories, past the initial movie.

Will The Matrix return?

Probably. It’s too popular and they know it can sell. Outside of funding negotiations and script finalizing delays, we’ll probably see a return to the world of a machine dominated earth granting humanity it’s freedom in pieces. Maybe in a few years. It should be grim, gritty, and much different than before.

Who am I kidding? It’s going to be a slick visual extravaganza full of empty philosophical ideas, crazy fight scenes, and unnecessary explosions.

With an appeal that’s similar in scope and elements to Star Wars, with many more philosophical concepts, it’s a shame this franchise couldn’t grow into anything. With other science fiction franchises bringing back loved characters, you have to wonder just what other sequels Hollywood will be pumping out next.