Brandon Sanderson Backs Keanu Reeves’ Matrix Sequels Despite Criticism

Brandon Sanderson, never one to shy away from an unpopular opinion, has thrown his support behind the much-maligned sequels to Keanu Reeves’ Matrix. While most punters have been quick to take the mickey out of the follow-ups, Sanderson reckons there’s more to them than meets the eye.

On his podcast, Intentionally Blank, Sanderson admitted he’s puzzled by the backlash. He highlighted several aspects he genuinely enjoyed in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, especially the action and the bold dive into science fiction territory.

Sanderson’s Take on the Matrix Sequels

I like a bunch of the concepts from it. I like the action scenes, and I like it going full-on science fiction, and having the big battle with the monsters. I don’t understand—I think what happened is, people who had not had a lot of experience with cyberpunk, which I had when I saw The Matrix, the ideas were not revolutionary to me. It was cool to see a big-budget, action, sort of pop culture version of cyberpunk.

While the original film was a critical darling, the second entry didn’t quite hit the mark for many. Still, some found it a decent watch, even if it didn’t live up to the hype. The third instalment, though, copped the most flak. Sanderson didn’t mention the fourth film, The Matrix Resurrections, or whether he’d even seen it.

Why the Sequels Struggled to Match the First

The Matrix has become a cult favourite over the years, especially after Reeves’ career got a second wind. Back in the day, though, the sequels released in 2003 were hammered by critics and fans alike.

The first film drew viewers in with its slow-burn mystery and kept them hooked right to the end. The Matrix Reloaded tried to broaden the universe but lost some of that intrigue, bogged down by lengthy explanations and dialogue. The Matrix Revolutions followed suit, introducing fresh ideas that never quite landed or got wrapped up, leaving things muddled.

Cyberpunk Roots and Sanderson’s Perspective

Sanderson’s fondness for the sequels might come down to his background with cyberpunk. He’s said before that many who didn’t enjoy the later films probably hadn’t delved into the genre as much as he had.

He’s woven cyberpunk elements into his Mistborn novels, aiming to chart a world’s technological evolution from epic fantasy through to urban fantasy, cyberpunk, and even space opera. For Sanderson, the world-building in the Matrix sequels and the Wachowskis’ ambition to expand on the original’s foundation stood out, even if casual viewers found the dialogue heavy and the subplots unresolved.

Reception and Where to Watch

Here’s how the films stack up: The Matrix (1999) scored 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Matrix Reloaded (2003) managed 74%, The Matrix Revolutions (2003) dropped to 33%, and The Matrix Resurrections (2021) landed at 63%.

What do you reckon about the Matrix series? The films are currently streaming on Apple TV for those keen to revisit the saga.