Brandon Sanderson Champions Keanu Reeves’ Matrix Sequels

Brandon Sanderson has never shied away from voicing his opinions, and his recent remarks about the much-maligned Matrix sequels are no exception. While many have dismissed the follow-ups to the original film, Sanderson has openly questioned the intensity of the backlash, expressing genuine appreciation for aspects that others have overlooked.

Sanderson’s Take on the Matrix Continuations

During a recent episode of his podcast, Sanderson made it clear that he found plenty to admire in the second and third instalments of the franchise. He highlighted the imaginative ideas and the boldness of the action sequences, noting that the films embraced their science fiction roots with gusto. In his words:

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 widely celebrated, its successors struggled to meet the lofty expectations set by their predecessor. Still, Sanderson found them entertaining, even if the general public did not share his enthusiasm. He refrained from commenting on the fourth entry, leaving his thoughts on that chapter a mystery.

Why the Sequels Struggled to Impress

Over time, the Matrix series has achieved cult status, particularly as Keanu Reeves’ career has enjoyed a resurgence. Yet, when the sequels were first released in 2003, they were met with a rather frosty reception. The initial film captivated audiences with its slow-burning mysteries and gripping narrative, maintaining suspense from start to finish.

The second film, however, attempted to broaden the universe but lost some of the intrigue that made the original so compelling. Lengthy expository dialogue replaced much of the suspense, leaving some viewers feeling underwhelmed. The third entry continued in this vein, introducing new ideas that, according to Sanderson, were not fully developed or resolved.

Cyberpunk Roots and Sanderson’s Perspective

Sanderson’s fondness for the sequels may well stem from his familiarity with cyberpunk themes. He has woven similar elements into his own Mistborn novels, envisioning a world where technology evolves from epic fantasy through to urban fantasy, cyberpunk, and even space opera. This background perhaps allowed him to appreciate the world-building and thematic expansion attempted by the Wachowskis.

For many casual viewers, the first film was a revelation, but the subsequent entries felt bogged down by heavy dialogue and unresolved plot threads. Sanderson, however, saw potential in the way the universe was expanded, even if the execution did not satisfy everyone.

Reception and Legacy

Looking at the critical response, the original film holds an impressive 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the second and third instalments scored 74% and 33% respectively. The most recent addition, released in 2021, sits at 63%. Despite the mixed reviews, the franchise remains a significant part of popular culture, and all four films are currently available to stream on Apple TV.

Sanderson’s perspective offers a reminder that even the most divisive works can find their champions, and that sometimes, a fresh set of eyes—or a different background—can reveal value where others see only disappointment.