After thoroughly enjoying The Matrix, I like many others eagerly anticipated the sequel. What a let down!
The story picks up some time after the original ended, still the same three main characters of Neo, Morpheus and Trinity. Agents are still chasing 'The Exiles', Zion is under attack and the war against machines still rages.
I wont tell you too much about the storyline as I dont want to spoil it for people that haven't as yet seen it, that's if you can find a storyline to follow in the first place!! The pace is jerky to say the least...in fact I got the impression I watched a 2 hour fight scene rather than a film.
This is the ususal problem with sequels. It has been given a bigger budget this time and they have gone all out to show what special effects they can do, in my opinion to the detriment of the story.
Lets start with the continuity...I am sure anyone that has seen The Matrix will know that all the implants that were in Neo's body, apart from the one at the base of his skull were removed when he left the matrix, so what's this? All the metal 'sockets' on various parts of his body have suddenly reappeared...methinks the directors should have watched the first film again, before embarking on this sequel to stop such obvious mistakes being made.
The fights as always are impressive, just there are so damned many of them. There are one or two which do stand out as being very, very good, but the rest were just protracted and confusing. The scene with 100's of Agent Smith's had the potential to be one of the best scenes in the film, but sadly it just turned into a melee that confused me as I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be watching. That, coupled with moments of obvious computer generated images (did anyone else notice that during that sequence Keanu Reeves actually turned into cartoon version of himself?)did nothing to enhance my viewing pleasure.
I fully understand is todays world of modern technology that they have computers to help them achieve stunts and images that normally could not be attained, but I feel that this film was taken over by graphic artists keen to show what they could do.
The car chase, yet again had the potential to be one of the best scenes in the film (nice product placement for Ducati btw folks), but with obvious blue screening visible, yet again the chance to show the world what they were capable of just ruined the whole thing. Also this particular section of the film is just too long and laborious.
For some reason, they decided this time to dress Neo in what can only be described as a 'soutane'. I think they were trying to impress upon the audience that he is 'The One', but I think putting him in a frock was not necessary.
Any good points to this film? Just the one stands out in my mind, a love scene (not really paramount to the plot) between Trinity and Neo and you get to see Keanu Reeve's butt on the screen for quite a few minutes.
On the whole, the story does have potential. But the film makers took the chance to throw money at special effects, to prove they can do something bigger and better and well quite frankly ruined what could have been an amazing experience. Would I watch it again? Yes in a couple of years when it comes onto terrestrial televison, but no way would I hand over cash to see it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Action/Adventure - Director: Gore Verbinski - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Chow Yun-Fat
Worth seeing just for Keanu Reeve's arse, then? I know your review wasn't really flattering, but I want to see it for myself anyway! x
Mattroberts 22.05.2003 15:21
Well, Keanu's tushi might just persuade me.....
purebitch 22.05.2003 12:53
I'm off to see this on Saturday and I am really looking forward to it! I loved the first one and I hope this one is as good! I know you say it is a let down, but I am hoping you are wrong! LOL. Georgina.
The Matrix Reloadeddelivers added amounts of everything that the first film had, with the ... more
exception of surprises. We see more of the "real world" in the "last human city" of Zion and we go back to the 1999-look urban virtual reality of the Matrix for m...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The Matrix Reloadeddelivers added amounts of everything that the first film had, with the ... more
exception of surprises. We see more of the "real world" in the "last human city" of Zion and we go back to the 1999-look urban virtual reality of the Matrix for m...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Neo and the leaders of the human resistance discover that Sentinels are burrowing their ... more
way towards Zion. Estimating they have perhaps just 72 hours until an all-out assault Neo must return back into the Matrix and find the keymaker to gain access to ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Sentinels swarm. Smith clones. Neo flies... but perhaps not even a Chosen One gifted with ... more
astonishing new powers can stop the advance of the Machines.Neo. Morpheus. Trinity. They're back for the powerful second chapter of The Matrix trilogy, and exciti...
![The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78498566.jpg "The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]")
May 22nd, 2003
very helpful by (14%):
helpful by (86%):
