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The problem with The Matrix Revolutions is simple: there's not enough Matrix in it.

Most of the movie takes place in the dark, dank, dreary "real" world. The biggest battle, which is as much of a special-effects spectacle as anything you've ever seen, has three main flaws:

• It involves none of the main characters of the series.
• It contains not one cool freeze-frame or slo-mo action shot.
• It involves no kung fu—I guess because it doesn't take place in the Matrix, but so what?

Even though probably millions of bullets are shot in that sequence, we don't get to see any of them in bullet time. And, from the way the movie plays out, the giant humans-against-robots conflagration is also just stalling for time while Keanu Reeves's Neo character goes off to fight the battle that, in the end, really counts. I think.

Still, the bits that are in the Matrix (or sort-of in it) are worth watching. They still get you thinking. The film would have been more effective if it were an hour shorter. The last two movies, indeed, would be improved if the underground human city of Zion remained more mysterious. They could be edited together into one, better movie, where we see more of people in flashy leather duds and sunglasses instead of stained waffle undershirts.

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