I wouldn’t have described that so easily. You’re right.

I understand why they had to go back. Why Neo had to lose his memory, why they had to go back to being “inside”. It’s been so long that it makes sense people want the first movie again. To take the pill and follow the rabbit. The woman in the red dress is there without a doubt.

So unless there’s some reason for exactly what you described, that it’s all bright and shiny, and Doogie Houser is there, then yea, it’s a much different feel. Maybe it’s because they are “in the core”.