Holiday Movie Guide: 'The Matrix 4,' 'The King's Man' And More

This holiday weekend, “The Matrix” fans are in luck as the highly anticipated “Resurrections” comes to life on the big screen with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss reprising their iconic roles of Neo and Trinity.

Also headed to theaters is the action adventure “The King’s Man,” in which Ralph Fiennes plays a royal pacifist trying to stop an evil cabal’s plot to start a world war.

Looking for a family-friendly animation film? Look no further than “Sing 2.” The sequel stars a parade of Hollywood A-listers including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly and more.

Finally, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, “Licorice Pizza,” mesmerizes with Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman in their feature film debut.

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Here's what to see and skip this weekend.

Movies Out This Weekend

“The Matrix Resurrections” — Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss; directed by Lana Wachowski

Nearly 22 years since the original film, “The Matrix,” set the sci-fi genre on a breathtaking cyberpunk romance whirlwind, original cast members Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss reprise their iconic roles, Thomas Anderson/Neo and Trinity, in the highly anticipated fourth installment of “The Matrix” film franchise.

“Resurrections,” directed by Lana Wachowski, transports audiences to a thought-provoking dreamscape with a wistful affection for the previous films, evoking feelings of nostalgia for longtime fans of the popular movie series.

The new sci-fi action adventure, filmed mostly in San Francisco, opens with the video game phenom Neo (Reeves) living a mundane life as Thomas Anderson in the simulated world known as the Matrix. Meanwhile, Trinity (Moss), who is now a suburban wife and mother of three, feels trapped inside a sphere of illusion. Even worse, she bears no recollection of Neo.

Back in the real world, computer-generated figures are hot on Neo’s trail, including a new version of Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Apparently, the Matrix world is experiencing some major glitches, prompting Neo to venture back into the virtual realm.

From there, the movie switches back and forth between the spheres of illusion and reality, propelling audiences into a dizzying fun ride full of surprises, such as the splendor of Neo and Trinity’s love affair.

See it. Action sequences are wildly entertaining. Plus, the electrifying chemistry between Reeves and Moss is palpable, exuding a passion that brings unbridled romance in their scenes. Tip: Leave your thinking caps at home, and just enjoy the exciting escapism the movie brings.

Watch the trailer.

“The King’s Man” — Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Ryhs Ifans; directed by Matthew Vaughn

After a delay of nearly two years due to the pandemic, “The King’s Man” finally makes its cinematic debut, serving as a prequel to Matthew Vaughn’s two previous “Kingsman” films: 2014's “The Secret Service” and 2017's “The Golden Circle.”

Based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, the new film stars Ralph Fiennes as the Duke of Oxford, an uber-rich pacifist who, along with his young son Conrad (Harris Dickinson), founds the Kingsman Agency, a society of British spies dedicated to defending the U.K. and other countries from existential threats.

Soon, Oxford uncovers a cabal of evildoers hell-bent on starting a world war, propelling the secret service and Oxford’s loyal allies Shola (Djimon Hounsou) and Polly (Gemma Arterton) into action to stop their diabolical plan.

Playing fast and loose with the truth, the World War I thriller exhibits a nonsensical penchant for altering history, such as the inclusion of Grigori Rasputin (Rhys Ifans) in this nefarious group, even though the mad monk was unequivocally opposed to Russia’s entry into the World War I.

Although the film is not entirely dull and distasteful, there are times when the peaks and valleys of the storyline are jarringly uneven in their execution.

Skip it. Fiennes’ impressive performance is not enough to buoy a film languishing in the preponderance of overlong messiness.

Watch the trailer.

“Sing 2” — Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson; directed by Garth Jennings

Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly and other Hollywood A-listers reunite, lending their voices in the sequel.

This time around, koala promoter Buster Moon (McConaughey) attempts to take his musical extravaganza to Redshore City, the capital entertainment of the world.

Sadly, it is easier said than done, as the theater’s owner, tough-minded wolf Mr. Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), sets one big condition in stone. He would only allow Buster and his troupe of singers (Witherspoon, Johansson, Egerton and Kelly) to perform at the magnificent arena if Buster can convince the lion rock star Clay Calloway (Bono) to come out of retirement.

And so begins Mr. Crystal’s search for the reclusive Calloway.

See it. What emerges in the end is an utterly charming and entertaining film that is sure to delight the entire family with rousing eclectic mix of songs and infectious performances.

Watch the trailer.

“Licorice Pizza” — Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn; directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Paul Thomas Anderson’s coming-of-age dramedy has a thin plotline presented in a series of loosely connected episodes, allowing the main characters just to shine and bask in their full essence.

Meandering as “Licorice Pizza” does, the film follows the misadventures of a 15-year-old boy named Gary (Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Alana (Alana Haim), a 25-year-old woman living an unfocused life.

Peculiar yet charismatic, the duo’s relationship turns to a blossoming unlikely romance that takes place in Los Angeles in 1973. Along the way, they meet a few actual '70s Hollywood fixtures such as the hairdresser-turned producer Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper) and a William Holden-like actor (Sean Penn).

By the end, the film feels and flows like a dream.

See it. Feature film neophytes Hoffman and Haim are magnificent in delivering the much-needed authenticity in their roles, while Anderson excels yet again with a refreshing maverick style of filmmaking.

Watch the trailer.