I got engaged at Christmas! Soon I will be moving to Chicago where I will be moving in with my Fianc...
I got engaged at Christmas! Soon I will be moving to Chicago where I will be moving in with my Fiancé and looking for a job in a recording studio and making music on the side.
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The Matrix Reloaded will probably be remembered as being one of THE most anticipated sequels of our generation... hell.. perhaps even of all time. But did it live up to expectations?
At the start of Reloaded, we learn that the machines are digging down to Zion, the last human city on earth, in an attempt to wipe out the human resistance which is trying to liberate the minds and bodies of the millions of people held in the captive state that is the Matrix. In the meantime, an anxious Neo, who has now attained a quasi-messianic status, awaits contact from the Oracle, for some clue as to how he can end the conflict once and for all. His journey makes the bulk of the plot and takes him right to the core of the Matrix and its creator.
It's probably becoming a tiresome expression, but I do feel that Reloaded fell victim to its own intense hype. However, clichés aside, this is probably the least significant point which I can put forward in defence of this movie.
I always felt that one of the best aspects about the FIRST movie was the way it had multi-levelled appeal. The Matrix is essentially a very densely layered and complex affair, with ass-kicking kung fu and a hot chick in a PVC catsuit. But that's what's so great about it. If you want to see it as a kung fu action movie with a lot of eye candy you can, but if you want to analyse the movie's analogous representation of the true nature of reality and existence.. well.. you can!
However, Reloaded is different. Where the hinted philosophical rumblings remained largely off-screen in the original movie, much of Reloaded's dialogue revolves around what is essentially a crash course in philisophical concepts. In my opinion, this change in approach is largely responsible for the mixed response this movie has received. Reloaded forces the viewer to engage in the intellectual questions which had been previously confined to the realms of internet fansite discussion boards and the like.
This is either
a welcome step forward or a horrendous mistake depending on what type of person you happen to be. As you can see from my rating.. I loved this movie, but I am perfectly aware that a lot of people will hate it and I can understand their reasons for doing so, without necessarily agreeing with them.
But for all its criticism, one thing I never understand, is the claim that this movie puts its action and style above everything else and at the cost of a decent plot. While I can understand people not enjoying this movie, I cannot understand this claim. Make no mistake, this is one of the most complex stories ever to grace mainstream cinema. As a side-note, Reloaded contains a bit more humour in its script than the first Matrix did.
For all those who claim that there is either inconsistency or incoherence in the story/plot, trust me.. the answers may be hard to find, but they ARE there. I think no-one besides the Wachowskis themselves can claim to know each and every answer to every question raised by these movies, but I think that's half the fun. I must have watched this movie like 50 times and I still get something out of it everytime I do.
New to the Matrix line-up are the excellent Lambert Wilson, who plays The Merovingian a powerful program who is an exile in the Matrix and has some great dialogue as well as some of the funny moments I mentioned earlier. Monica Bellucci (Irreversible) plays his temptress wife, Persephone and provides a memorable moment during her brief time on-screen. The Rayment brothers (previously of DIY tv fame!) make their big-screen debut as the cool Virus Twins, who provide some good visuals but little dialogue. Harold Perrineau Jr plays Link and fills in seamlessly for the missing Tank as operator on board the Nebuchadnezzar (Marcus Chong wanted too much money, so the W's ditched him - a favour which he subsequently returned with a lawsuit.) We are also introduced to Seraph, the guardian of the Oracle (played by Collin Chou) not much is revealed about him but he is the movie's best martial artist, in my opinion, although we are only treated to glimpses of that in a brief but entertaining chinese tea-house fight.
The familiar faces are back in force too. Laurence Fishburne returns as Morpheus, confident as ever in the fulfillment of the prophecy and Carrie Anne Moss continues to shine as Trinity, as we see her relationship with Neo develop. Sadly, we also see the last of the wonderful Gloria Foster as the Oracle, who died shortly after completing her filming for Reloaded. Agent Smith (the excellent Hugo Weaving) is also back, this time freed from the system and growing in power. Last but not least is Keanu Reeves who reprises his role as Neo and gets to show the full extent of his butt-kicking powers, remaining pretty pragmatic throughout but managing to still look cool in the process. But let's face it, the acting is not a starring attraction in this feature, at least not in the dramatical sense and even though Keanu gets his fair share of abuse, this role was made for him. The performances of the actors involved are suited to the purpose of the movie and furthermore, I felt obligated to acknowledge their outstanding work on creating the amazing fight sequences as part of the performances in this movie.
The two major set-pieces of the movie are without a doubt, the Burly Brawl and the Freeway Chase. Many people have criticised the special effects in the Burly Brawl, in particular the use of a digital Neo at some points. I honestly feel these people have missed the point. Yes, its not yet at the stage where its 100% photo-real and if you look closely you can tell Neo is computer animated at some points. However, I don't think anyone can claim to have seen a fight sequence even VAGUELY similar to this before and for bringing us such an unprecedented experience in cinema, I applaud the Wachowskis pure ambition, if nothing else. Also, while the focus of criticism has been on the digital Neo, I think pretty much all of the detractors fail to realise that in those sequences there are many other effects which they did not spot which is a testament to how good an achievement it really is. In sequences made up ENTIRELY of computer animation, I think its amazing that most people have only observed that one aspect. As for the Freeway Chase, I need only to say... as movie car chases go, this is second to none... just go see it!
To sum all this up, I feel that Reloaded is a fearsome feat of filmmaking. In my opinion, there are only a few other movies this intelligent that are also so damn entertaining. Love it or hate it, I would say its worth watching just to see what you make of the whole Matrix phenomenon. "You just have to make up your own damn mind."
MATRIX RELOADED TRIVIA:
-Both Matrix Reloaded & Matrix Revolutions were shot back to back partly to cut costs and are essentially one film that is cut in half.
-In order to try and maintain secrecy while shooting the Matrix sequels, all filming was done under the pseudonym "The Burlyman", which is the name of the 1st script the Wachowskis wrote. The name also appears on a script in the Coen Brothers movie Barton Fink, but it is uncertain whether or not this is a direct reference to that. This is also where the name for the Burly Brawl sequence (where Neo fights hundreds of Smiths) is derived.
-There are more martial arts movements in the Burly Brawl scene than in the whole of the entire first Matrix movie.
-There are 4 sequences in the Burly Brawl which are TOTALLY 100% computer animated with no live footage, something which has never been done before.
-After months of searching without success for a suitable freeway to film the Freeway Chase sequence, a decision was made to build an entire freeway from scratch on an old naval base in Alameda, California.
-Gloria Foster died from diabetes complications after completing her filming for Reloaded but not for Revolutions, so the Wachowskis turned to Mary Alice to fill in as the Oracle in the final movie.
-Singer Aaliyah was originally cast as Zee but died in a plane crash returning from a music video shoot. She had already completed some filming for Reloaded but these scenes were never used. Mona Gaye who replaced her is the daughter of the legendary Marvin)
-The main cast members signed on for the 2 sequels without ever having seen a script, an unprecedented gesture that shows their faith in the Wachowski's vision.
-Jet Li (Once Upon A Time In China) was originally asked to play Seraph, but declined allegedly for money reasons (although see his official webpage for a hilariously suspect excuse!). The Wachowskis then changed the role to female for Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) but a scheduling conflict ruled her out.
-the movie features cameos from Cornel West and Roy Jones Jr. The brothers were influenced by the writings of Harvard professor and philosopher, Cornel West in the creation of The Matrix, so wrote him a small cameo role as a member of the senior Zion Council. In sharp contrast, Roy Jones Jr is a boxer who has achieved the rare feat of claiming the world title in 3 different weight divisions. He plays Captain Ballard and is seen at the captains meeting at the start of the movie.
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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
A very good, well written critique of an amazing film. A shame Revolutions didn't answer the questions posed by Reloaded in a satisfactory way! The Architect scene for me is fantastic much like the scene where Neo is first booted into the construct in the first film and Morpheous provides the revelation of what the matrix is! Superb stuff! Alboy
jesi 07.05.2004 11:10
Another Brilliant Review! I think I'll print it out and use it for reference if my daughter ever buys The Matrix Reloaded - to use as a crib sheet as I watch it. ~~~{-)-{{:::::|||||<
Deru 05.05.2004 15:30
Great stuff. I'd watch these movies just for the fight scene. I think they did a great job with the CG'ed fighting (I didn't even notice!). I knew they used computers to help with them but not entirely.
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: If you were impressed by the special effects of the first film, you'll be blown away by this Disadvantages: If you're after substance, you may be somewhat disappointed.
![The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78498566.jpg "The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen edition) [DVD] [2003]")
Jan 25th, 2004
(May 5th, 2004)
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