The Matrix films are some of the most influential films of our times. While the first film was rather stand-alone, the second two were essentially one movie cut in half. There has been a debate for 20 years as to whether or not the sequels have any merit; they do, though. They catalog Neo’s journey from beginning to end in an explosive finale nobody could have possibly guessed. All three films should be celebrated, but how do you rank the best Matrix films? It’s incredibly difficult, but we managed to rank the best Matrix films.
3. The Matrix Reloaded
Mr. Anderson..
The second Matrix film has a lot of incredible moments, but feels muddled. The return to Zion takes way too long, the cave scene is unnecessary and takes about an hour just for Neo to reach the Oracle, which was the goal in the beginning. It was also philosophically over pretentious. The second half of the film is much better though. The “burly brawl” between Neo and Smith is one of the best fights ever put to film; the car chases between Morpheus/Trinity and The Twins, and then eventually the Agents. It’s thrilling, and one of the greatest car chases of all time. The sequence to reach the source is a workshop on how to edit. It’s masterful. So many pieces are in place, and so many go wrong. Morpheus’ speech before they embark on their mission is one of his best. The Architect scene is the most underrated scene in the franchise. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it’s the best scene in the film. We also realize that those cameras from the first film were, in fact, The Architect; he was watching Neo the entire time. It’s a tense scene and turns the entire series’ on its head, leaving the conclusion uncertain. Neo stopping the sentinels outside of The Matrix and then lying head-to-head with Bane, who Smith had overwritten, was the perfect cliffhanger. The film was too bloated though.
2. The Matrix
Reality, or a dream?
The Matrix changed the way we look at reality. Are we living in a simulation? What is consciousness? Are our brains merely a computer terminal that our consciousness accesses from someplace else? The questions are endless. Take the red pill or the blue pill? This has now even become an analogy for people who are programmed by the “system” and those who have “woken up.” Are they red-pilled or blue-pilled? The Matrix was self-contained, yet still left us yearning: how was humanity going to be freed?
1. The Matrix Revolutions
Can you feel it, Mr. Anderson, closing in on you? Oh, I can. I should thank you for it after all, it was your life that taught me the purpose of all life. The purpose of life is to end.
The Matrix Revolutions encapsulated Neo’s spiritual journey towards understanding and self-realization. It was filled with wonderful character moments, memorable dialogue, two of the best action moments in cinema, and an ending that was quite literally perfect.
Enlightenment
Neo’s journey towards self-realization and self-actualization is one of the best stories ever told, which is why The Matrix Revolutions is the best film in the trilogy.