The Matrix Resurrections (Lana Wachowski, 2021)

The law of gravity cannot be disobeyed. However, in Hollywood the law of diminishing returns usually is. Hence, 18 years on from the flat conclusion to the Matrix trilogy, we get a sequel that is almost a reboot, bringing Neo back in one piece, again unaware of existing in a virtual world and having to relearn all the chopsocky stuff to fight a new version of the matrix. Of course, there are the blue pills too, and Trinity needs to be rescued, so the rest writes itself once lashings of unremarkable chases and fights are thrown in. It doesn't help that Hugo Weaving and Laurence Fishburne aren't there either to add at least some air of gravitas to the proceedings.

A small saving grace is a recognition of its futility and having some fun with that, but it brings nothing new to the table in terms of fresh conceptual ideas, so let's finally call it a day, shall we?

4/10

Thor: Love and Thunder (Taika Waititi, 2022)

The Thor saga continues with the hero still in "The Dude" Lebowski mode, moping around and performing slapdash heroics here and there with the Guardians of the Galaxy until he finally gets a mission when someone starts killing all the gods across the universe. Meanwhile on Earth, his ex, Jane Foster, staves off her terminal cancer by using his hammer, which also gives her his powers. So two gods of thunder then.

Yes, it's as much of a muddle as it sounds. And of course flashy FX have to be to the fore, though Christian Bale as the god-killer does make a more layered villain than usual, with actual justifiable motives, and the hammy comedy throughout, as you can expect with Waititi directing again, makes for a more diverting ride. Still, it's hard to see where they can go with the character from here. There's nothing much more to be explored.

5/10

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022)

 

MCU cinematic instalment #28 is notable for persuading Sam Raimi out of apparent retirement to bring his trademark wit and brio with fantastical material to continue the story of Earth's erstwhile Sorcerer Supreme. It cannot be a straightforward sequel to the 2016 film as everything in the MCU, including the ever-growing number of TV series, has to accommodate what has transpired in all the other linked sagas in the meanwhile.

So, as is increasingly the case, only Marvel completists will be able to get all the references, and getting the references is a large part of the fun with such a weighty catalogue. And now the rest of all pop culture is chucked into the pot too.

Beyond that, what we have is an overlong stampede of glittery FX, leavened with quips. Doctor Strange now has to migrate through a succession of universes, seeking to protect a teenager who can transverse the multiverse from the Scarlet Witch, who has a serious case of PTSD after the events of the WandaVision TV series and is now hell-bent on getting to a universe for herself where the children she created in the imaginary realm of the TV series actually exist, at the cost of all other realities.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen do get plenty of substance to work with as the protagonist and antagonist and pour themselves readily into the roles, and the abundant humour is very welcome alongside the mind-bending drama. But even if it would mean diverging from the technicolour bombardment characteristic of the genre, a little less dazzle and a bit more mysticism would be a nice move next time around.

6/10