I’ve heard an interview with the Dir. of Photography of Matrix 1/2/3 and he said the Wachowskis lost their way after 1, changed their entire way of dealing with actors (it shows) and he hated the experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t the only one.

Tbh my impression is there was some genius ghost writing done by one or multiple individuals on Matrix 1, which as per Hollywood rule, is never to be acknowledged (this happens all the time). The Wachowskis are now stuck in this weird loop of making films that are not as good as that one while having far more than enough opportunities to do it at this point.