No Matrix-feeling, did the Wachovskis see Matrix 1? (needs a new rescue-scene)

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2003)

The first thing I said after seeing that the Matrix was going to have sequels, was that "any attempt to sequel this movie would fail". Regardless to say, I was right..
The Matrix gave you such a powerful feeling of "the Matrix"; it felt so alive in the first film, mostly because you could see "normal" people and it felt very "real" in a special way. You could see people working in offices, homeless people, real policemen. In this movie, you get a "faceless" driver which after 1 second of cameratime changes to an agent.. *sigh*
In "the Matrix Reloaded", you don't really get any sort of feeling of anything at all, and especially not the Matrix vs "the real world". The Matrix is here just a playground where everything you see, is very extreme: Freedom fighters, agents, cars and explosions.
You actually get to see one - 1 - "normal" person's view of extreme events. Why not use this more? A LOT MORE! Even though the Matrix is fake, the Matrix-viewpoint was the whole attraction of the previous film. I am of the personal opinion that if you build the tension starting with the small, common details, the heavy effects and big explosions become far more effective. That's why the previous movie worked.
This is also why this movie would have sorely needed a "rescue someone else from the Matrix"-scene. It would give you a solid look into other people in the Matrix and their daily life, and a reexperience of a person's extraction from the Matrix. Also how for instance Neo reacts to seeing someone else exit the Matrix. How could they (the W brothers) skip the "year 2000 common people" aspect to such a degree? Back then, they made an excellent action movie, and also hit a nerve in our society today by including "people like me". Did they not watch their first film at all??
The Zion-scenes weren't very good; I can't stand to look at masses being seducted by a speaker, especially with such tame speeches. The masses act really, really, unnatural, and react the same way. There are very few "real" people there; even though their clothes are ragged and torn, they are so thinly described it reminds you of a B- movie. I've been to many raveparties, and it doesn't look like this.. some great music though.
Yes, Trinity and Neos romance is very awkward - I don't think they fill each other out very well - they are too alike physically and mentally. It's just very unlikely two persons like this would fall in love. They seem to have no humour in their relationship, they don't show real joy in seeing each other, they're just "dramatically in love".
The movie's greatest moments are Neo's re-encounter with Agent Smith (who is perhaps the movie's most powerful/well-played character in addition to the Oracle), and some fascinating revelations to the plot which I won't mention here.
PS: The highway scene had a few cool moments, but wasn't as exhilarating as people would want you to think. 7/10 (Matrix: 10/10)