The Matrix Reloaded (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: The action and effects are bigger and better.
Disadvantages: Loss of originality, screenplay is less absorbing.

The intense anticipation, hysterical hype and overwhelming clamour of expectation that preceded the release of The Matrix Reloaded could all be adequately captured in one simple question - Would it live up to its most illustrious predecessor? To answer the question I’d like to take you back four years to the release of said predecessor, a film that redefined a genre and easily lifted the bar for action films (which is what the Matrix is ... Read review

Advantages: Some sequences are good on the eye
Disadvantages: A little too silly in parts, and a slow first hour

...should have gone to watch the film, rather than the baseball game. Having now seen the film, I have to feel as if I made the right choice. I've now waited 10 days after my original intentions to see the film, and I have to say that it really wasn't worth the wait. Sure, it looks pretty good, and there are special effects and impressive stunts all over the place. But this was also true of the first film, and this time around it all just feels a ... Read review

Advantages: Hugo Weaving and the Wachowski's vision
Disadvantages: Psycho-babble, weak CGI, too long scenes...

...with a definite emphasis on the style - but most importantly this was an action film that made you think. It was a film that stood out as something new and different, and in my opinion would have been much better if the Wachowski brothers had left it that way. The trick with 'The Matrix' was just that - and it's a trick that really only works once. Once you know what 'The Matrix' is, and that Neo is the one who has the capacity to destroy it, what ... Read review

Advantages: Some inspired moments
Disadvantages: Shoddy film making, dull characters, disappointing sequel

Such was the feverish anticipation of its cinema release that the Matrix Reloaded could never really fail. It could have been 200 minutes of blank screen, and everyone would still have flocked to see it. So as the Wachowski brothers sit back and count their millions, the world is left pondering a simple question. “Is the Matrix Reloaded actually any good?” Stick around, and I’ll let you know. THE PLOT The last surviving ... Read review

Advantages: Action-packed, fantastic special effects, excellent entertainment
Disadvantages: Long, with a frustrating ending

The sequel to 1999’s blockbuster The Matrix sees the old favourites return with new challenges to face. It might be dressed up as a deep philosophical conundrum about choice and good versus evil, but in reality it’s nothing more than a souped-up action flick with pretensions. And I like it! It’s still man against machines, but with 250,000 sentinels (the octopus-looking machines from the first film) closing in on Zion, it looks ... Read review

Advantages: cutting edge effects, the freeway chase
Disadvantages: the heavy handed philosiphy powering the story

The year 2003: the year of the sequel, without a doubt. Will Smith and Martin Laurence blow stuff up and shout at each other after eight years apart in “Bad Boys 2”. Schwarzenegger returns to do what he does best in “Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines”. Those Angles were at it again in “Charlie’s Angles Full Throttle”, Beautiful cars and beautiful women burned rubber in “2 Fast 2 Furious” (yes that was an innuendo; those who have been paying attention). ... Read review

Advantages: its a great film
Disadvantages: dont blink u might miss something

...would have to say that the whole matrix serious is just so amazing. its mind boggling but amazing if you are not into it that much then I don’t think you will get it. Now I would say that this is my favourite one but now looking back at the first one and remembering how good it was i would say this was second best. I say this because the first one has a lot of action not to much. and the story is interesting as hell(not like kill bill 2) this one ... Read review

Advantages: outstanding special effects, great action.
Disadvantages: the story becomes far too complex and boring

Well its here, the 4 year wait through and the Matrix Reloaded steams in to the cinemas. The build up has been very long and people have had very high hopes, and although not utterly disappointing, it does not match up to its prequel. So the story is pretty much that a quarter of a million sentinels (squirmy squid machines) are digging down into the ground in order to destroy the one remaining ‘free’ humans city Zeon. Well this pretty much sets ... Read review

Advantages: Some effects are stunning, action is breathtaking
Disadvantages: Car chase over-rated, terrible orgy scene, comes close to turning into Star Trek at one point

...that claim 'stunning special effects'. The first Matrix film was sold on that principle - but it was also a neat, self-contained story that still left enough loose ends for potentially exciting sequels. It seemed convoluted at first, but the basic premise of the film was fantastic, and the concept - although complicated - was carefully explained through the narrative, so you could pick it up first time and go back to brush up on the details and intricacies. So, ... Read review

Advantages: It makes you stop worrying whether there really is a Matrix!
Disadvantages: That doesn't make a good film.

...waiting with baited breaths for The Matrix Reloaded and are still waiting with baited breaths for the end of The Matrix Reloaded. That is because there wasn’t one. The use of ‘To be Concluded’ was a pretty poor attempt to draw in an audience for the third film. Also, the first film was good as part of a trilogy, but easily made a damn good film on its own. The Matrix Reloaded was by no means comprehensible without having already watched its predecessor. ... Read review

Advantages: The usual awesome fight scenes and special effects
Disadvantages: Thoroughly confusing plot, too much pseudo-philosophising.

After waiting four long years, the sequel to the phenomenally successful film The Matrix by the Wachowski brothers has finally been released. After a 270 day shoot (some movies are filmed within a month) and helped by a huge amount of hype, a Cannes launch party reputed to have cost over £1 million, and enough press coverage to have helped pulp several rain forests, the film has taken a quite astonishing £180 million in under 4 weeks since its premiere ... Read review

Advantages: Mostly great special effects, superb action sequences
Disadvantages: Too much information to digest in one sitting

Essentially, the problem the Wachowski brothers were always going to have with The Matrix: Reloaded was that if it wasn't the greatest film ever made, they would have to take a hell of a lot of criticism. The Matrix came from nowhere, got attention mainly through word of mouth, and proceeded to blow away anything else that even remotely resembled something in the same genre. Sci-fi, action, thriller or a thought provoking movie? The Matrix was all ... Read review