The Matrix Reloaded DVD > Reviews > Everything begins with choice...

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Satisfactory
Characters / Performances	Satisfactory
Special Effects	Outstanding
Soundtrack	Good

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

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

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). We eagerly awaited the follow up of that ‘extended trailer’ known as “X-Men” and it was of course the year where we rejoined Neo, Morpheous and Trinity for another one of their mind blowing adventures in “The Matrix Reloaded”. For those without a Scooby Doo (Too: no that was this year), “The Matrix Reloaded” was the most highly anticipated film of the year amongst the final chapter of “The Lord Of The Rings” and “Kill Bill”. The film that saw the return of legendary ‘bullet time’ that had been ripped off considerably by other films during the four year gap between “Matrix” number one and “Matrix” number two. The original was… original, it was new, it was different. It left George Lucas with nothing except Jar Jar Binxs to cuddle and it became the genuine cinematic experience of 1999 (although “Fight Club” was pretty trippy).

For those unfamiliar with the general storyline, it is this: The world we live in is not real, it is in fact a virtual world and program created by machines, who grow human beings to supply them with energy. Machines rule the apocalyptic planet, with pockets of human civilisation living underground. The last human city on earth is named Zion: home to 250,000 humans, the last on earth. So far, a man named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) one of the leading freedom fighters against the machines soughts out a man who he deems to be ‘The One’, Neo (Keanu Reeves). Neo has been prophesised to be the one man who brings the end of the war between humans and machines.

The big question:- What is the Matrix?
For those unaware, I will quickly explain what the concept of the Matrix is before I go into the review in such great detail that you will be confused and I will get endless complaints about my writing. (Breathe). The following definition has been taken from my review of the original “Matrix” (technically it’s not cheating).

OUR PERCEPTION: the world in which we spend our lives in real. You are real, I am real, everything and everyone that we come into contact with is real.

IN REALTY: the world in which we spend our lives is in fact not real. The world is a hoax. Everything we see, hear, taste, touch and smell is not real. Instead the world is in fact a computer program designed so that our minds have somewhere to live because in the *real* world, our bodies are being harvested by the machines that control us. We are no longer born, we are grown.

After a four year wait, insane writers/directors Andy and Larry treat us to not just one, but two Matrix films: “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions”. “Reloaded is set about 6 months after Neo and Trinity (Carrie Ann Moss) gunned down multiple SWAT Team guys in a certain lobby and kung-fu shenanigans occurred in a derelict subway station. Neo is ‘The One’ but his conscious still remains uncertain. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the machine empire has been digging underground, toward the city of Zion: the last human city on earth. Neo, Morpheus and Trinity have 72 hours to prevent this but to spice things up, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is back and found a way to copy himself; therefore there is more than one as Neo discovers later on.

Performances are of course not what you pay to see when watching this sci.fi action fest but it’s always nice to mention them in a film review. Keanu Reeves (“Point Break”, “The Gift”) returns to his character of ridged but surprisingly flexible Neo. Although on the acting front, Reeves’ is basic, but you have to marvel at his dedication to the part. On some days after filming, he apparently went home a laid in a bath full of ice due to his determination and hard work regarding the numerous and impressive fight sequences. Carrie Ann Moss (“Red Planet”, “Memento”) also returns as head strong Trinity, donning the black PVC again and an assortment of firearms and top notch motorcycle skills. Another welcome return is the powerfully spoken Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne – “Fled”, “Mystic River”). His performance is dynamic and still a pleasure to watch. Hugo Weaving (“The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy) returns as the maniacal Agent Smith. Weaving plays his character wonderfully, with the single minded motivation of killing Neo. But sadly loses the menace and fear that he inspired in the first film. Lost under the constant special effects perhaps. Gloria Foster makes a short lived but memorable performance as The Oracle. Her last scene on screen with Neo is one of the more engaging dialogue scenes in the film (she died shortly after and was replaced by Mary Alice in “The Matrix Revolutions”).

We are joined by new allies: Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith – “Ali”) only appears in a small number of scenes, but her appearances are memorable and she does contribute to the story. It is a shame that she never really gets to have a go on the kung-fu side of things. A young man who is known as Kid (Clayton Watson) who was rescued and freed by Neo from the Matrix proves to be annoying. His character is bumbling, clumsy and is constantly sucking up to Neo: admittedly in gratitude but the performance was annoying, but bearable. We are also introduced to Bane (Ian Bliss), a man who has somehow been possessed by Agent Smith within the Matrix and has remained possessed in the real world. It proves that Smith’s power is ever increasing and there is no place where he can’t go. Bliss performs Weaving’s mannerisms perfectly. There is Seraph (Collin Chou - the part was offered to Jet Li, but he turned it down to do “The One”: fool…) the guardian of The Oracle and another good guy who kicks a$$. Chou plays the part with a silent but deadly style, no the kind of guy you want to mess with. A new villain is The Merovingian (a fine performance by Lambert Wilson – the upcoming “Catwoman”) the Frenchman who wants what all men with power want: more power. His mistress Persephone (the smouldering Monica Bellucci) is equally devious but in another way. Another highlight are albino twin bodyguards simply known as Twin 1 and Twin 2 (real life UK twin brothers Neil and Adrian Rayment – who used to feature in “Carol Vordermen’s Better Homes” I might add).

“The Matrix Reloaded” has many action sequences as you may expect but there are two in particular that either make or break the film. 1). The Burly Brawl: after a chat with The Oracle, Neo is faced with fighting over a hundred Agent Smith copies in a fight sequence that has more choreographed moves that the entirety of the first “Matrix”. 2). The Freeway Chase: Morpheus and Trinity escape from The Merovingian with The Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim: I’d thought not to mention him as plot spoilers may have arisen) closely followed by the Twins and shortly by Agents. The sequence is one of the most complicated and visually stunning chases ever made on film. Although both sequences are arguably too drawn out, nevertheless they are thoroughly enjoyable to watch. The other action sequences mostly consist of Neo beating the living crap out of numerous and varied opponents in varied wire laden ways.

Fight Choreographer Yuen Wo Ping returns for this film and for “Revolutions” and doesn’t fail to impress. As doesn’t the CGI which seamlessly blends into the action making for a more intense viewing experience. However, there is a lack of tension in the build up to the fights. It is as if the bad guys approach Neo or whoever and say:

“What should we do now?”
“I know! Let’s have a fight”
“Good idea”

Another problem with the film is not related to that of the action sequences but to the script. The plot premise is passable but it’s the heavy going philosophy that pads out and powers it. Unlike the first film where the philosophical ideas were woven in more subtly, this film has them leaping up at you and screaming as if they crave attention. The dialogue all in all seems a little ridged as if stolen from Star Trek with ‘damn it’ and other similar variations padding out the length of scenes. That’s not to say that the Wachowski brothers (“The Matrix”, “Bound”) have done a bad job. The overall effect of the film is great but however fresh it may be, it doesn’t quite live up to the brilliance of the first, groundbreaking film. Bill Pope returns to the capacity of cinematographer to capture multiple contrasts and tones in the film. Another groundbreaking and more subtle filmmaking breakthrough is that of ‘Virtual Cinematography’ where live action and computer effects collide beautifully to create an awesome visual experience: the ‘Burly Brawl’ is a good example of the ingenuity and technical expertise required.

“Hmm, upgrades…”

To sum up: Don Davis returns to create the unique sound of the Matrix score collaborating with such heavy metal acts as Marilyn Manson, P.O.D and Rob Zombie to complete the overall effect (and keep us occupied during the lengthy credits). Speaking of credits, stick around for them or skip them even if you own the DVD as you get the teaser trailer to “The Matrix Revolutions”. To find out what the final film is like in “The Matrix” trilogy, just look at my review. I know that was shoddy advertising and I usually don’t do that sort of thing but my duty to inform required my to do so… yes…

BOTTOM LINE
Out of the summer blockbusters of 2003, “The Matrix Reloaded” was one of the best (thinking about it, there was “Pirates Of The Caribbean”…). As legendary producer Joel Silver said regarding this film: “I really think the bar has been raised so high that there is no more bar”. Furious action, shocking revelations, although this sequel doesn’t quite beat its original it comes pretty damn close. A fine showcase of effects wizardry on display for your preying eyes, don’t take it too seriously, you may damage your brain. Recommended, especially with its ‘to be concluded’ ending, a clever marketing ploy if you ask me.

CERTIFICATE: 15
TIME APPROX: 133 minutes

CAUTION
strong violence
one moderate sex scene and some sex references

IF YOU LIKE THIS TRY
The Matrix Revolutions – after the ‘to be concluded’ at the end of “Reloaded”, you’ll want to see how it ends.

Reload before the revolution begins

<DarkMark

To be concluded...