THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS - R-RATED Stars:   Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nona Gaye Directors:   Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski Screenwriters:   Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski The Matrix Revolutions concludes the trilogy, sadly and not wholly satisfying, but at least it goes out with a big bang of spectacular special effects. It picks up with Neo (Keanu Reeves) trapped between the real world and the computer-generated Matrix. After being rescued by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Neo once more consults the Oracle (Mary Alice, taking over for the deceased Gloria Foster who was quite marvelous in the first two stories) and gets an earful of even more confusing drivel than at any other time in the history of her character. He does know, however, that he must annihilate his nemesis, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), who has grown so powerful that he now threatens two worlds: the real world and the machine world. To do so, Neo must travel a dangerous and nearly impossible journey to the machine city and strike a bargain that may end the war and save Zion. He is accompanied by Trinity who has pledged her life to support him. While the two travel against time and odds to reach the machine city, Zion is forced to defend itself against an endless onslaught of sentinels and drilling machines bent on wiping out the humans race. Lotta says: The battle is gripping in its ferocity; ingenious in its effects, but ultimately tiresome as the story elements don't hold for the length of time allotted them. Lambert Wilson as the vicious Merovingian gets to deliciously spew some French-accented vitriol but Monica Bellucci as his beautiful wife Persephone serves as a mere decoration this time. Jada Pinkett Smith as Captain Niobe is a delight as the spunky pilot who comes to the rescue of Zion. The ultimate battle between Neo and Agent Smith needed to be more inventive that the body bashing we've seen time and time again in this franchise. It does manage it at its conclusion but it's almost too late to satisfy. As far as the trilogy goes, The Matrix was one of the best science fiction films ever made; The Matrix Reloaded effectively combined sci-fi and action into a satisfying wallop; The Matrix Revolutions spectacularly wraps up the loose ends while leaving some doors open should the filmmakers invent a good reason for a number four (but they probably shouldn't!). Frankly, I'd prefer that they had closed those doors. In any case, this was an excellent franchise and I loved the premise and the characters enough to say, yes, I am sorry that it's finished. Also features: Nona Gaye as Zee; Clayton Watson as The Kid, Ian Bliss as Bane; Harold Perrineau as Link, Harry Lennix as Commander Lock and Anthony Zerbe as Councillor Hamann. Studio:  Warner Bros. Production Company:  Silver Pictures Productions, NPV Entertainment, Village Roadshow Reviewed: November 7, 2003