10 Perfect Movie Endings That Sequels Ruined

3. The Matrix Reloaded Turns Neo From Superman To Confused Emo Kid

Much like with the Star Wars prequels, the Matrix sequels were guilty of not realising that what made the original idea work was the concept of less is more. The ending of the first Matrix is indicative of everything that film did right. It was simple, understated, and extremely powerful. There was sufficient closure as Neo flew away, and the hanging ending meant that viewers didn€™t need to deal with the nightmare logistics of how everything was constructed and why - they just knew that the Matrix was, and that the one was fighting to free humanity.

The sequels couldn't maintain that restraint, which meant that hanging ending suddenly had an epilogue that would collapse under its own weight. In trying to answer every question and every philosophical point raised in the first film, the sequels became an almost unwatchable mess of confusing double speak. There were logical inconsistencies, plot holes you could drive a semi-trailer through and, more importantly, they were simply boring and ploddingly paced.

The ending of the Matrix had the audience believing that Neo was an unstoppable force who would wipe out the machines and save humanity. The sequels turned Tom into a confused, emotional and very wooden messiah, completely destroying the simple idea that the first film postulated.