There is no way the final instalment of the Matrix series will crash.

Given the must-see curiosity and the cult following the franchise has acquired, there will be huge attendance in the first two or three weeks. But the repeat business may not be strong, especially with more promising big-budget films like The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise around the corner.

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The Matrix: Revolutions does not electrify, surprise, and stir viewers as the first film did four years ago. While writers and directors Andy and Larry Wachowski, working again with ever-resourceful fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping and the protean visual effects supervisor John Gaeta, have conjured many magical sequences, they are unable to give cohesive form to the film, which feels as if it is three hours long.

Among some of its rousing sequences is the protracted war between humans and the Machines. The fight in the nighclub is also stunning. But clunky dialogue, uneven pacing, and far too much of a brooding atmosphere severely pull the movie down.

The new film is also less preoccupied with mythology and cosmic talk than the previous two. This may come as a relief to some who want to see more action and hear less philosophy, but die-hard Matrix fans may be a tad disappointed.

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It may also have to struggle to reach the $750 million grossed by the second film in the series, The Matrix: Reloaded, which earned about $300 million more than the first film. The sense of diminished returns is felt throughout the new film. Hollywood experts, who were betting on the new films reaching $1 billion, must be eating their words by now.

The abrupt way Reloaded ended had angered and dismayed many fans. The ending had left Neo (Keanu Reeves) comatose. Here, we see him in the same position -- the Machines are all ready to attack Zion, the last outpost of free people, in less than a day.

Anxious and worried, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), whose love for Neo has grown steadily, and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), whose conviction that Neo is the Chosen One could not be stronger, want to seek out The Oracle (Mary Alice, who replaces the late and much missed Gloria Foster). They also want to get Neo out of his terrible state.

Trapped in a sphere between the real and machine worlds controlled by the horrible Trainman (Bruce Spence), Neo manages to get out and meets The Oracle, who has a few menacing warnings. She also reminds him that his power extends to The Source and that Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving and his numerous clones) is Neo's negative twin.

Even though her credibility had been doubted earlier (in Reloaded), Neo still accepts what The Oracle says.

Meanwhile, the humans in Zion prepare for what they believe is the final onslaught. But Neo announces that he will pursue peace by somehow reaching The Source in Machine City. His well-wishers think it is a mad folly, but Neo is convinced about his mission.

Meanwhile, warrior Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), joined by Morpheus, prepares to fight on another front.

As the invasion is launched, the humans have a tough time using anti-aircraft fire against the multitude of highly destructive Sentinels, the mechanised octopi.

Neo and Trinity have a new challenge on board their ship because of Bane (Ian Bliss), a Zion fighter brainwashed by Smith. When Bane blinds Neo, the suspense mounts.

Soon, we realise the script allows Neo to 'see' things only in an orange-on-black outline. Even as Neo makes it to The Source, Smith is ready with more obstacles.

The big showdown between Neo and Smith uses a great deal of dazzling special effects. But, unfortunately, the special effects department cannot fill the emotional void in the movie. There is hardly any riveting peformance, though in an expanded role Jada Pinkett Smith is arresting.

It is difficult to come out of the theatre feeling the series has ended on a triumphant note.

On the other hand, some viewers may be relieved the trilogy has finally ended.

CREDITS
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mary Alice, Ian Bliss, Bruce Spence
Writers-directors: Wachowski brothers (Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski)
Cinematography: Bill Pope
Production design: Owen Paterson
Special Visuals: John Gaeta
Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Rating: R
Distributor: Warner Bros