One of the most fascinating characters in The Matrix only appeared in the worst film in the franchise

From prophesied saviors to sentient computer programs, The Matrix is filled with interesting characters of various descriptions, but the sci-fi franchise wasted one of its best figures by confining them to the saga’s worst entry. Certain characters appear only briefly in the Headquarters but leave a lasting impactwhile others leave their mark by appearing heavily as main characters. The figure in question is a strange mix of these two categories, and his return in other The Matrix films later on could have been incredibly rewarding.

The ending of the original Headquarters the trilogy ended the initial era of the beloved sci-fi franchise. While it’s not one of the most consistent film trilogies of all time, it still manages to tell an epic post-apocalyptic story about the resilience of the human spirit. The 2021 Legacy Sequel, The Matrix ResurrectionsIt didn’t do very well at the box office or with critics. However, it revived the long-dormant franchise and the confirmation of The Matrix 5 It means the saga is not over yet. Unfortunately, the chance for a truly interesting character to return is long gone.

Ian Bliss As Bane did an incredible job as Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith in Matrix Revolutions

Bliss was tasked with the difficult task of stepping into Weaving’s shoes (with Weaving in the same film)

Although initially cast as Bane in 2003, The Matrix ReloadedIan Bliss’ presence in the franchise’s first sequel ended up being much more than it seemed. Possibly, Bliss became the real-world vessel for Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smithmeaning Keanu Reeves’ Thomas “Neo” Anderson’s nemesis was able to directly interact with reality outside of the Matrix. Bliss’s impersonation of Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith is an incredibly underrated performance and is easily one of the best facets of the final installment of the original trilogy, The Matrix Revolutions.

Bliss perfectly imitates the body language, movement, voice and cadence of Hugo Weaving’s performance as Agent Smith. Of course, the two actors’ physical resemblance certainly helps create the illusion, but that only happens because of Bliss’ role in all of this. The Matrix Revolutions made the disappointing decision to take the story almost entirely into the real world. As such, Weaving’s screen time is severely reduced when compared to the previous two films. Therefore, Bliss’s Agent Smith strangely becomes more prominent for large periods of time. Revolutions.

Bliss’s switch from Bane to Smith is one of the shining lights of The Matrix Revolutions. So easily the lowest rated The Matrix movie on Rotten tomatoesIt’s not unreasonable to say that the film would be remembered even worse than it already is if it weren’t for Bliss’s fascinatingly accurate emulation of Weaving’s iconic sci-fi villain and taking the character to new places.

Bliss’s perfect weaving print created a strange problem Neo

Watching Neo struggle to identify Bane as Smith is frustratingly awkward

Neo’s naivety in 1999 The Matrix It’s understandableas he has just been taken out of the Matrix and thrown into the macabre reality of the real world. So, it would be easy for someone to trick you. Fortunately, he’s surrounded by people who see Reeves’ character as a kind of digital messiah and guide him through his new existence. Although only six months pass between The Matrix and in the next two films, Neo is much more experienced and should really notice Bane’s drastic change in personality and who he has become.

While Bane’s body language and voice may have been understandably difficult to interpret as a threat, Revolutions takes things a little too far by having Bliss’ Smith address Neo as “Mr. Anderson,” exactly the same way Weaving’s version of the character would. Neo just staring and being unable to understand what’s going on hurts his characterand makes him look every inch the newcomer he was The Matrix. Smith is the only character who calls Neo by that specific title, so it should have been the final step for Neo to realize what had happened.

Bliss’s Agent Smith performance wouldn’t have been possible without Weaving’s strong character work

The original Agent Smith remains the best

Hugo Weaving’s impeccable impression of Ian Bliss deserves far more praise than he usually receives, but he wouldn’t have been able to deliver such a brilliant performance if it hadn’t been for the original Agent Smith actor laying such solid foundations. Weaving’s various quirks and signature line readings gave Bliss a lot of things to latch onto. Although The Matrix isn’t a franchise particularly known for its big, crazy performances, Weaving has found a brilliant way to strike a balance between the series’ borderline irreverence and dark tone.

Another actor who originated the role of Agent Smith may have simply been swept away by the serious nature of the saga, resulting in a much less recognizable portrayal of the infamous sci-fi villain. If yes, then the twist of Smith entering the real world and inhabiting a human body may not have even happenedor it might not have been as effective if it had still occurred. In this specific circumstance, the combination of actors who share the role of Agent Smith would not need to be so precise.

The wasted matrix, Agent Smith in human form

Bliss’s version of the character should have been explored in much more detail

Smith making the leap into the real world was a brilliant concept that had a lot of promise. Bliss’s Smith was not only the only isolated version of the rapidly growing horde of Smiths within the Matrix, but he was also the only iteration that could die and then disappear forever. Unfortunately, his death is exactly what happened, and Bliss’ departure from the franchise occurred shortly after her debut. For a series that generally explores all of its original concepts to the nth degree, the limited use of a human Agent Smith feels like a huge oversight.

Despite being in a human body, Bane’s form still had the mechanical infrastructure to connect to the MatrixSo Bliss’ Smith could still have returned to the digital world at any time – albeit in a much more temporary form. If he spent enough time with humans in the real world, it’s even possible that the human Smith could have experienced a gentle redemption arc of sorts. That said, his hatred for humanity was perhaps a little too severe to allow for a complete turnaround.

Not killing Bliss’s character in Revolutions could also have been a brilliant way to solve the problem of Weaving’s absence in 2021 The Matrix Resurrections. Although the script had to give Bane’s body the same treatment as Neo and Trinity to explain the 60-year time jump, Bliss could have returned as Smith instead of giving the role to Jonathon Groff – which had never been associated with the character. Even if Weaving had returned, Bliss could have played Smith in the real world, and Weaving could have been Smith’s digital self in the real world. The Matrix2021 sequel.

Source: Rotten tomatoes