Everything that has a beginning has an end. Today, the final chapter brings ‘The Matrix’ trilogy to a close.

Classic trilogy endings like ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ often boast state-of-the-art special effects, exciting fight sequences and unpredictable plot twists. They are the films that answer questions previously left dangling and the ones met with the most media attention and fan speculation.

Today, with its release in theaters worldwide, ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ joins their ranks. The highly anticipated third film is sending the Hollywood-hype machine into overdrive, and fans of the popular science-fiction film series are eager to see how it all comes to an end.

‘Neither film had a complete ending, so I’m dying to see if there is finally a finite conclusion,’ said Beth Crisafi, a junior communications and rhetorical studies major.

What is the Matrix?

When it was released in March of 1999, nobody in the film industry saw ‘The Matrix’ coming. It was written and directed by the relatively unknown Andy and Larry Wachowski, who had only the moderately successfully lesbian-noir thriller ‘Bound’ under their belts. It starred Keanu Reeves, whose box-office appeal had faded following ‘Speed,’ and newcomers Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne. And opening mere months before the juggernaut ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,’ few thought that the special effects in ‘The Matrix’ could compare.

But by year’s end, ‘The Matrix’ was the movie on everyone’s mind. With its revolutionary special effects and stop-action kung-fu fights, even the Jedi masters were put to shame. The film’s philosophical storyline drew equal attention and has become the topic of college courses and academic essays over the years. ‘The Matrix’ also made stars out of Moss and Fishburne and propelled Reeves back into the Hollywood spotlight. The film grossed more than $170 million at the box office and earned even more fans when it was released onto DVD.

‘I liked the cinematography and how the latest technology was used for the fight scenes,’ Crisafi said. ‘I also loved how it proposed the question, ‘Are we really living in reality?’ It was such an interesting concept.’

Everyone who has seen ‘The Matrix’ seems to have a favorite character. Some name Moss’s Trinity, a strong, contemporary heroine who kicks just as much butt in her leather pants as the guys. Others dig Morpheus (Fishburne), an ultra-cool rebel leader known for his booming words of wisdom. There are those who even root for Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), an edgy and intimidating villain. For Crisafi, her favorite has always been Reeves’s Neo.

‘He took a chance that changed his whole life, and he didn’t give up. He was independent and stuck to what he believed to be right,’ Crisafi said. ‘Plus, he looked great in leather.’

‘RELOADED’ FOR A SEQUEL

‘The Matrix’ was an overwhelming and undeniable success, so it was no surprise when plans were announced for a sequel. However, The Wachowski brothers didn’t have any ordinary sequel in mind. With the blessing of Warner Brothers, the brothers recruited the original stars and filmed two back-to-back sequels. Filming commenced in 2001 and lasted more than 18 months, leaving fans waiting more than four years for Neo’s next adventure.

Their patience was rewarded this May with the release of ‘The Matrix Reloaded,’ which was unleashed in a wave of hype that included the ‘Enter The Matrix’ video game and a series of animated shorts titled ‘The Animatrix.’ ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ roared out of the box office, but was universally panned by critics and audiences, who complained the film contained too much philosophical babble and not enough action. Some filmgoers, however, disagree.

‘I thought it was great,’ said Steve Roman, a graduate student majoring in computer engineering. ‘It was the movie that actually sparked my interest in the entire trilogy.’

‘The first time I watched it, I was somewhat unimpressed because the second movie of a trilogy usually just acts as a bridge to the climactic ending,’ said Jason Willard, a graduate student in marketing management. ‘But I watched it again on DVD this week, and a lot more made sense.’

‘The Matrix Reloaded’ left a lot of questions to be answered by the final film.

‘Who is Neo?’ Willard asked. ‘How will Agent Smith play into the downfall of the Matrix? Is it a Matrix inside a Matrix? How important is Persephone? Will humans ever be able to be truly free of the machines?’

‘REVOLUTIONS’ HYPE

Despite the critical drubbing that ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ received, plenty of fans are still excited about seeing ‘The Matrix Revolutions.’ Tickets have been flying out of the Carousel Center box office for today’s shows. Some, however, haven’t been sucked in by the hype.

‘Some people can go overboard,’ said Bert Kaufman, a senior political science major. ‘Skipping class or taking a day off of work to see ‘The Matrix’ may be a little over the top.’

Others fear ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ won’t live up to all its expectations.

‘People expect so much more that when they actually see the movie, they are let down,’ Crisafi said. ‘If people have such high expectations, it’s hard to meet them.’

But many fans of the film series are going into today’s screenings with high hopes for a spectacular finale.

‘As long as it ties up loose ends and doesn’t take a cheesy, easy way out them,’ Willard said, ‘yes, it will live up to the hype.’

Published on November 4, 2003 at 12:00 pm