Full closure was not necessary for the enjoyment of this series. As i have said many times before, this movie was done exactly like an anime, albeit a live action one, thus the ending being 'open' is nothing new. The Brothers told us a long time ago, they would be true to themselves and to the Matrix story way before they were true to the fans and what the fans wanted, and if the fans weren't happy, that is the fans problem, not theirs. They made these movies not so they could be rolling in dough, but because they had a message they wanted to get out, and if you are unhappy with the message, fine, but you cannot change the ending just because it didn't suit your 'fairytale ending' type of mindset. We have discussed this at length for the past six months, and for much longer before that, and there is not another ending could make me any happier about the series than what happened. The Bros. are amazing minds, they have read much more than i have, and posibly much more than everyone i know, and they used this amazing library of information, on everything from fiction to religion, from philosophy to politics, created this wonderful...symphony of ideas that assaulted the mind and forced the viewer to think, to reason, to problem solve.
And i disagree with your view of what a happy hollywood ending is. Your 'fairy tale ending' is EXACTLY what Hollywood would have made the movie end like, and it is exactly what the Bros. were trying to stay away from. Neo didn't die, he is still alive. Read the threads in this forum, because we have debated these very ideas for months before 11/5, and we have come to conclusions...
Neo IS the One. As has every other anomaly in every other iteration of the matrix. Neo, however, was able to overcome what he was supposed to do, and do what he NEEDED to do, which was bring Human and Machine back to equal. He did this by realizing what the Oracle was telling him, and by doing what was right, even if that's not his original plan. He is the ultimate dynamic thinker, changing plans to suit the need on the spot, without hesitation. This is evidenced by His stopping the Sentinels with his mind, even though he had no idea what he was doing; by letting Smith take him over, even though he had no intention of giving up. The anomaly was used by the machines, until they had built up a religion around the Anomaly, calling him the ONE, and forcing him down the path they choose for him, until he is faced with a choice; reset the matrix and allow humanity to thrive, or don't reset the matrix and allow all of humanity to perish. Despite what he 'knew' would happen, Neo risked saving Trinity, because his love was so pure, so true, that he was willing to risk everything to save her, even if that meant humanity would perish. None of the other anomalies had experienced love, so their choice was easy. Neo, one could say, was more human than all the other Ones, thus, he was able to make the necessary choice to end the war. Neo knew that Trinity was going with him, and he allowed it, because, in a egotistical way, he didn't want to be alone for what happened. But he had to be alone, not just physically, but in love as well...Trinity had to die. From a standpoint of how to accomplish the impossible, that is how to save humanity, Trinity had outlived her usefulness...So that when the time came, if Neo had to sacrifice himself, he would not hold back because of her. And he did have to sacrifice himself. Neo knew that he would most likely die when he made the deal with Deus ex machina. He would rather have died saving them, than be the only one left alive if he failed. So, when the Oracle, speaking through Smith, said "everything that has a beginning, has an end, Neo", he knew what he must do. Everything became so clear to him. He finally understood Smith, and the Oracle, and the Architect. He understood everything that was plaguing him, every doubt, every question, were gone. His purpose was before him, and he reached out with both hands. He allowed Smith to overtake him, because the equation would remain balanced until Neo was no longer there. However, in Neo's selfless act, something happened, something unforeseen, but understood. Neo transcended himself, transcended his physical body, his mental cell. It is symbollically expressed by the Lotus, the flower which Neo's glowing body seems to make, which, in Hindi traditions is symbolic of the common man transceding himself, and becoming a deity, just as the lotus rises up out of the muck of thee river, and yet, remains pure white.
The anomaly arises from the collective doubt of all those still in the Matrix. They accept the Matrix, yes, but there is still a shadow of a doubt that the Matrix is not real. That doubt continues to grow and collect, until the buffer of doubt has reached it's capacity. This causes a new anomaly to occur. While the anomaly is still alive, the doubt is funneled into him, but when he dies, the buffer once again begins to build. Neo did not die. If he did, instead of a glowing body on the 'funerary barge', we would see just a dead body. Neo, before meeting the deus ex machina, did not glow. This is a fact. however, after Smith is eradicated, his body very prominantly glows, and him, together with the barge, create a lotus blossom of light, with Neo at the center. This is why i know he is not dead. He is now fully connected to the machines, but still completely human. He has become a god-man, connected to the matrix by his mind, with no connection necessary, but he may never be 'alive' in the sense of walking around, again. However, on a side note, one should think of the Arthurian legends, as Omega points out, that the King, Arthur, sailed away to Avalon on a barge, to be healed, and if ever the need arose, he would return, to save his country. Denmark has a similar story (not to be rude, just not exactly sure what to call it other than a story..myth, legend?). The machines, i dare say, never wanted to enslave the human race. All they wanted was peace. But after repeated attempts, the machines finally decided something must be done, for humanity and machinity(?) to cohabitate. So they designed the Matrix, so that, one day, perhaps humanity would learn that cohabitation is possible, and they could allow them to live together. It is entirely up to the humans as to how long the peace lasts. The machines have never wanted anything other than peace. Neither one need fear the other any longer. Man has learned to fear the machines, and to live with them, is a necessity. Machines have always known that cohabitation is possible, but requires both sides to be on equal footing. there is no more need of any more anomalies, because the humans that doubt can finally be freed without consequence. The humans that don't desire to leave can remain in the Matrix for their entire lives, and millions will continue to live in the Matrix. In fact, they cannot support all the humans, especially if they were freed right now, because they cannot grow enough food to sustain them, they cannot live outside until they clear the skies, they cannot live together until they create more dwelling places. It is necessary, right now, for the matrix to continue, perhaps indefinitely.
i realize that is a lot to read...and it is a lot to type...but if there is anything else i have not covered that you would like covered, feel free to ask.