The Pendulum A & E Thursday, November 13, 2003 wPage 19 Let-down of the year awarded to “Matrix Revolutions”

Sean Hennen humanity and no amount of tired- “cineophile” should still feel Reviewer ly endless philosophic babble the loss. about choice, love and destiny can An addictive cycle of reclaim the feeling of the original. metaphoric introspections Everything that has a begin­ It’s all mere lip service and unfor­ and gunfights isn’t all that ning has an end, reads the tagline tunately the writing/directing attracted viewers way back for “The Matrix: Revolutions.” team of Larry and Andy when. It was the story of a This is a very apt statement, but Wachowski think they can gloss fallible hero named Neo one would have hoped that the over this absence with intellectual who was as uncertain about filmmakers behind “Revolutions” overkill. They can’t. his ability to save the day as would have strived for a superior For viewers who haven’t seen the audience. Say what you ending, instead of merely an ade­ the other movies, you have a lot will about Keanu Reeves’ quate one. of homework to do before you acting, but in that first At this point, it is safe to say think about sitting down for “The movie, he forced the audi­ that each film in the series has Matrix: Revolutions.” The movie ence to learn to believe in become successively tired and - doesn’t even consider pausing him as his character learned though it is hard to say - unorigi­ before diving right back into the to believe in himself. And it nal. All that was fresh and fun futuristic saga of Zion’s (the last was one grand journey. about the initial film was diluted human city on earth) battle with The central cast of this by “The Matrix: Reloaded” and the evil machines. At the helm of film still includes Neo completely abated by this third this war is Neo, the all-too-inde- (Reeves), Trinity (Carrie- structible Uber-warrior and even­ and final installment. What did Anne Moss), Morpheus Photo courtesy of movies.com the first film have that these sub­ tual savior of the human face. (Laurence Fishbume) and sequent episodes lack? The Trying to map out the the evil Agent Smith (Hugo “Matrix" fans were disappointed with the trilogy’s third installment answer is quite simply a genuine­ Byzantine narrative of these films Weaving). All supporting “Matrix Revolutions" for its lack of emotional core. ly human story at the center. is pointless. Those in-the-know characters are given so little The original “Matrix” blew don’t need a rehash and those not, exposition that it doesn’t even created, as an army of mechanic tle substance. If you’re happy away audiences back in 1999 with wouldn’t even be able to follow. bear mentioning them here. One Sentinels face-off with humans in with aesthetic action, this flick is its eye-popping style and cutting Suffice to say, this film packs all noteworthy standout is Jada gun-turret equipped, metal your cup of tea. Those of us that edge technique. Above all that, the blockbuster-action wallop of Pinkett-Smith as Niobe, a spunky exoskeletons. The sequence is crave something with a little more however, was a very intimate the first two (it seems climatic hovercraft pilot with attitude to truly a sight to behold. Elsewhere, emotion, we’ll hold off for “The story at its center; one that dealt combat sequences are around spare. there is a final showdown Lord of the Rings: The Return of with uncertainty, faith and to every comer), but still lacks the If it is action you craze, between Neo and his arch-neme­ the King.” quote a certain Oracle, “Knowing truly authentic emotional core. “Revolutions” does deliver. The sis Agent Smith, but it doesn’t yourself.” Amidst all the kung fu fight­ apocalyptic battle to save Zion live up to the hype it was given. These latter chapters in the ing, explosions and countless features some of the best comput­ When all is said and done, Contact Sean Hennen at pendu- epic “Matrix” trilogy have lost the rounds of ammunition, a true er-generated image baddies ever “Revolutions” offers style, but lit­ [email protected] or 278-7247. “The Elf” delivers an early Christmas present to audiences

ous that het - - is • not an elf. After - conventional . • ______1 in every osense. a n c A Most back. It’s a character _i______that. could I' n Blake Hinton ______being told who his real father is of the jokes derive from Buddy have easily become one-note or Reviewer Buddy is sent to New York to being out of his league and very cheesy, but Ferrell provides meet him. lost in New York City. Even the Buddy with a certain sweetness Will Ferrell is one of the most Once getting to New York he ending, while showcasing a great that’s hard to deny. Also, Ferrell is popular up-and-coming comedi­ goes to the Empire State Building set piece, is extremely cheesy and just plain hysterical. This is his ans today. After his long and very where his father, played by James definitely lowers the movie a best and funniest role to date. In funny stint on Saturday Night Caan, works. Not wanting to notch. the end, Ferrell alone easily Live, Ferrell went on to the big admit that he has a son, Buddy’s The other problem with the makes the movie worthwhile. screen with “Old School. He was father throws him out. After that, film is James Caan. Caan is an The writing, while being con­ Photo courtesy of movies.com very funny there, but mainly Buddy goes into a toy store next extremely versatile and great ventional, is also quite funny too. played second fiddle to other door and is mistaken for an elf actor, but he never seems com­ The end and especially the begin­ Will Farrell strikes gold again comedic stars. With “Elf, Ferrell working in the toy section. In a pletely comfortable in the role ning have some nice irreverent with his new film ‘Th e Elf.” gets his first lead role and knocks short amount of time Buddy acci­ here. humor. Even in the middle, where it out of the park. dentally lands a job. Once there, He gives the sense that he is the film becomes more conven­ The plot of the film is your he falls in love with one of the holding back for some reason, as tional, there are still many gags tackle more lead roles because basic fish-out-of-water comedy. people working in his section. if not wanting to completely com­ that work. This is a surprisingly with “Elf,” Ferrell proves that he After stowing away in Santa s toy The rest of the movie spends its mit himself to the material. funny movie with heart. has quite a few tricks up his bag as a baby, Buddy (Ferrell) is time alternating between Buddy’s Yet, on the other hand, Ferrell In a world filled with bad to sleeve. adopted by Santa’s elves an relationship with his father and makes a wonderful comic debut. mediocre films, it’s always nice to this girl. rai.sed as one of them. After a While Caan stays at a distance see a movie try to do something while he grows to his noiroal This is a great movie, albeit from the film, Ferrell throws him­ simple and worthwhile that suc­ Contact Blake Hinton at pendu- one with many flaws. The plot is human size, and it becomes o vi self in the role and doesn’t look ceeds. Hopefully, Ferrell will [email protected] or 278-7247.