Overview: In “The Matrix Resurrections,” return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson (Keanu Reeves) will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more.

And if Thomas/Neo has learned anything, it’s that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of—or into—the Matrix. Of course, Neo already knows what he has to do. But what he doesn’t yet know is the Matrix is stronger, more secure and more dangerous than ever before. Déjà vu.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Verdict: Warner Bros. is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the expertly crafted, and now wholly amaze-balls The Matrix Revolutions in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this March 8th 22nd, 2022.

For my money, this The Matrix Resurrections [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital] combo pack sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is The Matrix Resurrections presented to us as a two-disc combo pack with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 and Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1.

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable.

For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color; such as one of the most mesmerizing scenes entitled I Fly or I Fall, where our lead male, in pouring rain, is encouraged (in relative darkness, although well lit here in a green hue) to go with her instead of the alternative.

Indeed, the picture enjoys the fruits of the added resolution in terms of bringing out the aforementioned extremely fine facial and some of the yellow graded material - notably the fine detail to the faces of all those involved in the scene entitled Neo Meets Morpheus (where once through the glowing white doorway, our male lead meets the new guy, so to speak).

As for the audio, well we have a veritable smorgasbord of choice here: English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), German: Dolby Atmos, German: Dolby TrueHD 7.1, Italian: Dolby Atmos, Italian: Dolby TrueHD 7.1, French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1 and Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps).

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

As for the movie itself, well, as we all know by now, The Matrix has a complex legacy. It’s first film is one of cinema’s most iconic, reinventing action films for the 21st century. Its sequels were felled by bloat, parody and a focus on pseudointellectual waffle about choice.

Twenty years later, this continuation of the story was, for me, a much better sequel - but I can understand why other people might not feel the same way.

Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is a game designer. Twenty years ago, his video game about a digital world acting as an anesthetic to hide the truth about human existence was a big hit. Since then his life has been marred by mental illness, suicide attempts and an inability to accept his world as being real.

He is approached by Bugs (Jessica Henwick) who tries to convince Neo that his instincts are right and he’s back in the simulation, but if the events of The Matrix were, in fact, real - how is Neo still alive?

I feel like the discovery of the meta way this film is dealing with the previous ones is going to govern your feelings about the rest of the film. It’s not the first time that a film has played with its own mythology in this sort of way, but I felt that this was, in the context of the series, a clever way to go.

It allowed this film to homage (and even directly show) the originals and ties back into the plot. The logic behind all of the films choices I thought was well done. Why the machines put Neo back in the Matrix, the explanation for why Trinity was there, the reskins for Morpheus and Agent Smith are all dealt with well.

There are even meta gags for those with a deeper knowledge about the films, such as casting Chad Stahelski as Chad, a replacement for Thomas Anderson and John Gaeta as the designer arguing for more Bullet time.

As I am sure you can already tell, Reeves are Moss are impeccable here, as well as Neil Patrick Harris (who is excellent as The Analyst) and the younger cast is a warm welcome, too (as they all deliver their parts with gusto and fervor.

What also adds a certain flavor to the part is a gorgeous mix of older scenes and new reality and new Agent Smith is a dear darling, especially with his sarcastic remarks and excellent humor at his own expense.

I will not disclose the necessary plot details, but want to say that this film is a real must-see, due to its smart plot and endearing mixture of old and new. In fact, with all these 20 years running about and now joining in the fun, it made it all so much more touching and moving to see our old heroes being brisk and energetic, strong and superb, smart and sincere all over again!

There’s also a couple of OMG action scenes. The main one, a bike chase through the streets of San Francisco is really well done and swarm mode a reference to horde modes that various games have now, was clever if occasionally a little horrific.

I personally liked a lot of the new characters and having watched Sense8 it’s nice for so much of that cast to get another chance to appear for Wachowski here.

Faults mostly lie with the films slightly anticlimactic ending, for me. I’m not really sure why the ******* villains (sorry, trying to remain spoiler free here!) stop coming after them.

I’d liked to have spent more time outside of the construct and seen what’s going on, but there’s a chance for that if the film continues to prove to successful and, perhaps, this finale isn’t quite that after all!

In closing, personally, I think this is comfortably the best sequel to The Matrix in the series and one of the better films I’ve seen this year.

“The Matrix Resurrections” 4K UHD combo pack and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
• No One Can Be Told What The Matrix Is
• Resurrecting The Matrix
• Neo x Trinity: Return to the Matrix
• Allies + Adversaries: The Matrix Remixed
• Matrix for Life
• The Matrix Reactions
o Echo Opening
o Deus Ex Machina
o Welcome to IØ
o Bullet Time Redux
o Morpheus vs Neo
o Exiles Fight
o Neo vs Smith
o The San Fran Chase
o The San Fran Jump

“The Matrix Resurrections” DVD contains the following special feature:
• The Matrix Reactions: Welcome to IØ

Experience the long-awaited fourth film in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre when “The Matrix Resurrections” arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on January 25.

The film is directed by Lana Wachowski from a screenplay by Wachowski, David Mitchell and Aleksander Hemon, based on characters created by The Wachowskis, and stars Keanu Reeves (The “Matrix” franchise, the “John Wick” franchise) and Carrie-Anne Moss (The “Matrix” franchise, TV’s “Jessica Jones”).

The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on March 8.

The film also stars Yahya Abdul Mateen II (“Candyman,” the “Aquaman” franchise), Jessica Henwick (TV’s “Iron Fist,” “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”), Jonathan Groff (“Hamilton,” TV’s “Mindhunter”), Neil Patrick Harris (“Gone Girl”), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (TV’s “Quantico”) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Angel Has Fallen,” TV’s “Gotham”).

The film was produced by James McTeigue, Wachowski and Grant Hill, with Michael Salven, Karin Wachowski, Jesse Ehrman and Bruce Berman executive producing.

• On January 25, “The Matrix Resurrections” will be available for early Premium Digital Ownership at home for $29.99 and for 48-hour rental via PVOD for $24.99 SRP on participating digital platforms where you purchase movies.

• On March 8, “The Matrix Resurrections” will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD. “The Matrix Resurrections” will also continue to be available to own in high definition and standard definition from participating digital retailers.

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