WOW..... That one word sums up the Special Effects in the second of the Matrix Trilogy. Following on from the worldwide smash hit that was the Matrix, The Wachowski Brothers are back with another helping of Neo, Morpeous and all the rest of the gang. The second instalment starts off where the first left and although it's well put together you just get the feeling that maybe it was a bit rushed out. Sure the story holds up and we get the chance to see Zion in all its glory but I just felt that maybe the story could have been tweaked a bit to involve more of Agent Smith as he is a key character in all the movies, even as much so as Neo himself. So anyway getting onto the good points first. The special effects like I said before really blew me away when I first saw them. I consider myself a movie goer and have seen plenty of blockbusters try but ultimately fail when they blow most of their budget in the first 30 minutes of a film and then the rest if a long drawn out affair. Thankfully the Matrix Reloaded has no such worries, when you first see the park scene when Neo meets the multiple Agent Smith's for the first time you just cant help but to be impressed by what is going on. More and more agents keep coming on the scene and it was truly ground breaking in its day (much the same way The Matrix was groundbreaking for its bullet-time effects). After that the story introduces a few new characters who we get to know as they will be in the third film and then just when you think that the film is starting to drag a bit we are treated to what is probably the most elaborate motorway scene ever scene is modern film. The action sequence that follows is totally mind blowing and I don't want to spoil the film but all I can say is that it is excellent viewing. So overall the effects and top notch and the story is believable although not as strong as the first film. Now onto the bad points, I felt the way they did the ending was a bit shallow and I know it continues with the third instalment but I just thought they could have done things differently. The whole meeting with the architect was good in theory but really you would have to watch the film about 4 - 5 times to actually understand what he was talking about. Also I felt that Agent Smith should have got more time on the film as I think he was the one character that actually made me like the Matrix in the first place. Overall the film is a hit and I would have no issues at all in watching it to kill a bit of time or even just put on the park scene and watch as Neo goes to town with multiple Agent Smith's. I would recommend this film to everyone who has never seen it although obviously it would help if you watched the first part as well. Out of 10 I would give the Matrix Reloaded a solid 8, let down only by some dodgy dialogue and some static acting. But those special effects mmmmmmm more of the same please Hollywood. Also the sound track is just as good as the first film with an excellent mix of techno and moody music to really get the film goer on the edge of their seat, and after all this is what films should be all about.