I know.. I know your all wondering where I am at the moment. Life has been a little harsh recently b...
I know.. I know your all wondering where I am at the moment. Life has been a little harsh recently but harsh recently but will be getting sorted...
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The city streets sprawl before you, a generic urban maze of alleys and wasteland. The shadows are deep and doors can lead you to places never imagined. Where everyone could become your enemy and thought can make you become a God. This is the world of the Matrix and your perceptions will be changed forever.
The original Matrix movie established that premise of a hellish world in which mankind is enslaved in a symbiotic relationship with AI lifeforms. Their minds trapped within digital landscape through which the AI's generate the power they need to survive. At the previous film's conclusion Neo had finally learned what it meant to be The One. However although he had destroyed his nemesis the war with the Matrix itself had only just begun.......
Six months later and a clandestine meeting of the underground teams gathers to discuss the disturbing news (discovered at great cost by the Osiris) that the AI's have discovered Zion (the home of free humanity). They also have a massive attack force that will be ready to destroy the stronghold in 72 hours. So understandably things are looking slightly grim at the moment. While all other ships are called in for the defence Morpheus proposes that his ship log into the Matrix and try to find the Oracle from whom so much guidance
has been gained in times past. The mission is accepted and Neo, Morpheus and Trinity are on their way to enter a world where nothing is what it seems.
And so it begins...... (As a certain Vorlon once said)
There you have it people mort's premise for the Matrix Reloaded, the first part of the conclusion for the Matrix story arc! You see contrary to popular belief and against what everyone expected the Matrix Reloaded is not the conclusion of the movie it is a taster of the big finish we will see at Christmas. Putting in and expanding the puzzle pieces that were in place, but also redefining our ideas of the world in question. This expansion of the Matrix universe serves its purpose as both an action movie and as a philosophical debate on mankind's reliance on technology. It also blurs the line further on what the characters definition of reality actually is.
For the action movie fan the movie is absolutely spectacular, bar one segment of the Freeway fight, featuring gunplay, martial arts and explosions galore. Oh yes and a big ruddy car chase that truly takes things to extremes. The skill that all the performers show is a wonder to behold you can see how good they have become at kicking names and taking butt. The CGI for hiding the wirework and showing the expanse that comprises both aspects of the Matrix world is seamless bar one aforementioned scene I will not go into because I do not want to spoil it for those that have not seen the movie yet.
The philosophical aspect of the story is enhanced deepened and designed to be so unobvious on some levels you would miss it if you blink. From a dialogue in Zion, through to world mythology involving Vampires, Werewolves, Incubi, Succubi and Ghosts (of course). The Matrix has been vastly enlarged in how far it stretches as a reality for the viewer. The mythos and creativity of the ideas involved and how they interweave together is magnificent.
However sadly by interweaving them together a bizarre mix has been realised that does neither aspect true justice. Its fusion as whole is not complete and in some aspects can jar quite horrendously as you watch. As this film has to be a fusion of philosophy and chop sockey this does cause major flaws in how the film flows and is the films primary problem. This does not however mean I dislike the film, rather that I can see the flaws and wish it could have been improved.
The cast themselves are absolutely excellent. Giving their all in this epic project with blood, sweat and tears. Their performances are solid and perform as well as they did in the previous movie. However I did get the feeling that the only reason that the freeway chase is there is because they needed something to make Trinity and Morpheus shine on their own without Neo backup. Which when you see the film you will realise is very, very, awesome.
The look and style of the movie is the same as before almost to a tee. Which is always hard to do at the best of times. But the vision the Wachowski Brothers came up with has been held to loyally. The bland nature of the Matrix with its dulled colour and seedy rooms is apposite to the 'real world' with its almost techno-organic living feel. The visual affects make you go wow as you see the old down with some wonderful new twists. Although there is nothing done that is truly original.
The music soundtrack is very clever. Using a mix of rock, hip hop and classical to define different factions ie: Agents: Hip Hop Heroes: Rock General: Orchestral
Don S. Davis's score is just as powerful as before which adds to that feeling of excitement and wonder that I felt when I saw the the First in the series.
In retrospective the Matrix Reloaded should have been the first part of a trilogy chronicling the end of the Matrix. The first Matrix is always gonna be classified as a prequel. So why not couldn't the Wachowski Brothers have given themselves that little bit extra space to give themselves four brilliant movies for the chronicle of Neo. With that extra space the Matrix Reloaded would have been a masterpiece which would have left us slavering for more instead of feeling vaguely disappointed on some inexplicable.
This is mort signing off:)
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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: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 2008 - Action/Adventure - Director: Christopher Nolan - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
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
Great op, I haven't seen it yet but it sounds like I'm missing out! x
franproc 13.10.2003 17:07
I thought that, despite the excellent effects and soundtrack, this wasn't that good. The performances seemed kind of wooden (especially Mr Homebase himself, Keanu Reeves) apart from the adorably evil and hilarious Hugo Weaving 'Mr. Anderson' (weirdy neck twist).
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SarahP 18.09.2003 18:54
I haven't managed to stay awake during the first one yet (tried 3 times now without luck)! Maybe when they are all out on DVD I will dose myself up with strong coffee, with some matchsticks in my eyes, and watch the lot! :oP
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
Advantages: Eye-popping visuals, much more smoother plot, and one of the best car chases I've ever seen Disadvantages: Some people may think its more recycled than reloaded
eve6kicksass 19.10.2003 (19.10.2003)
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Review of The Matrix Reloaded (DVD)
![The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78498566.jpg "The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]")
Jun 11th, 2003
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