There was no way, just no way that this was ever going to be as good as The Matrix. It couldn't be, wouldn't be and to some extent, didn't have to be. And it isn't.
But just because it doesn't quite live up to its illustrious predecessor, that doesn't mean it isn't the best piece of top-flight, kick-ass entertainment for miles around. The Matrix Reloaded is every inch a 'must-see' movie and with the possible exception of Matrix Revolutions (due out in November), this could well be the biggest hit of the Summer.
The reason it's not quite as good as the first film though is simple: The Matrix had one key ingredient that is noticeably absent from its sequel - intrigue. The Matrix had a gripping air of mystery about it and the narrative was driven forward by one defining question - "What is the Matrix"? - and we, the audience, discover what it is along with the lead character, 'Neo' (Keanu Reeves).
Now
that we know what the Matrix is the Wachowski brothers (writer/directors) are left without a decent story to tell and have to resort to some typically sequel-friendly nonsense about mankinds rebellious attempts to destroy the Matrix and the evil machines that control it. Cue lots of quasi-religious twaddle about faith, destiny, the 'Chosen One' and a simply ludicrous rallying speech from 'Morpheus' (Laurence Fishburne) as he bellows to a giant cavern-full of freedom fighters in the underground city of Zion - the last safe haven for humankind.
It's these (mostly) exposition-led scenes within Zion that highlight the films weaknesses (acting, dialogue, common sense etc...) and you find yourself giving up on the plot and just waiting for the next massive explosion or ballistic bout of kung fu. Thankfully we're never kept waiting for very long and whenever The Matrix Reloaded moves into high gear, all the clunky dialogue and contrived plot devices are forgotten in a flash. The action sequences are quite simply breathtaking, in particular a frantic confrontation between Neo and an army of self-replicating 'agent Smith's' (the supercool Hugo Weaving) and an incredible 17-minute car chase that just has to be seen to be believed. Smokey and the Bandit was never like this.
Ok, so a decent car chase and some severe, chop-socky ass kicking wouldn't ordinarily constitute a reason to go see a movie but The Matrix is different, The Matrix universe is just so damn cool that it simply must be seen on the biggest screen you can find with the surround sound as loud as you can possibly handle.
Now I'm not gay or owt but Keanu Reeves looks fantastic as the leather-clad superhero Neo, never more so than when he dons his shades, brandishes a Samurai sword and starts mowing down villains by the dozen. He can't act, he never could (bless 'im), but it matters not a jot, Keanu Reeves was born to play Neo and the thought of anyone else in the role just doesn't bear thinking about.
Larry Fishburne is good too, he always carries with him an air of authority but that preposterous speech early on doesn't do his character any favours and Morpheus seems to have a lot less screen time than in the first film, the emphasis here is on Neo and his developing relationship with 'Trinity' (Carrie-Ann Moss), also a leather-clad, shade-wearing superhero. Now a lot of lads I know go weak at the knees at the very mention of Carrie-Ann Moss but personally I think she's a bit of a bint. Her acting ability is fine and she can certainly handle the physical stuff but I'm sorry, it's the chin! I haven't seen a chin like that since Jimmy Hill!
No, The Matrix has always been about Neo and the biggest reason to go see The Matrix Reloaded is to see Neo do his stuff. He flies, he looks cool, he kicks ass and while the film misses out on that elusive fifth star due to it's waffley script and lack of real motivation, it still gets a hearty thumbs up from me for it's sheer visual brilliance and relentless pace.
The best bit though - if you care to stick around long enough - is a sneak preview trailer for Matrix Revolutions which appears after the end credits have finished rolling, so don't be in too much of a hurry to get out before the rush.
Recommended.
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I personally thought this was as good as, if not better than the first. The fight scene between Neo and the thousands of Agents was the greatest thing I have ever seen, especially with the pole!
TheChocolateLady 23.06.2003 10:21
Well done! My Charlie's Angels comparison here was in that the _special effects_ for the fight scenes were on about the same *level* as these movies and the Die Hard movies. One cannot compare them as action movies, however, since CA was a spoof and these take themselves seriously.
Sean_lawston 15.06.2003 00:02
Can't believe I missed the... 'chuffing' trailer for the third film! Silly Andy!
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...
Advantages: More arse kicking kung foo shenanigans. Awesome!!! Disadvantages: More arse kicking kung foo shenanigans.Hang on, didn't we see that in '99?
Advantages: Dazzling special effects, great acting, Keanu Reeves Disadvantages: Philosophy - why?, poor script, drags on for the first hour, quite a long film
![The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78498566.jpg "The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]")
May 26th, 2003
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