Hard to match the hype, but I think it does

Rating: Null/10 (2 July 2003)

I was looking forward to The Matrix Reloaded more than any movie in recent history, so I made it a point to avoid any reviews before I saw it for myself. I didn't want to have any of the good stuff spoiled, or be distracted by what other people said was bad. So I'm tempted to just say, "Reloaded was awesome, go see it." But I gotta say more. I won't give anything away, but if you're a die hard Matrix fan, you might want to stop reading and just go see it.
Part of what made the first Matrix so cool was figuring out what the Matrix actually was. Obviously, we can't have that experience again, so this movie is a little different. But still excellent. For a good contrast, we get to learn more about the machines, and more about the human city of Zion. There's more time to watch all the characters be badass of course. And if you thought there wouldn't be any more big revelations... get ready for a lot of what you thought you understood about the first film to get called into question.
I like to think I'm a pretty smart guy, but I found myself saying, "Wha? Wait, go back and say that again." But my DVD remote wouldn't pause or rewind the big screen. I think I got it figured out, but I might find my understanding totally off the mark after I see Reloaded again (or when I see Matrix Revolutions, which I hope will wrap up all remaining questions). So for those who criticize the story, I gotta assume that they didn't understand everything, or just didn't like the ideas. To say the movie has no plot isn't accurate. There's lots of deep stuff going on. Almost too much. It definitely requires more than one viewing to soak it all in.
The visual effects are amazing, as you'd expect. Nothing is too over the top in Matrix land. They had to top what they did in the first one. If you liked watching two guys doing some one-on-one kung fu fighting, wait until they throw in dozens more people, speeding vehicles, more weapons, and characters with new powers. I can't imagine how they can go any bigger in the 3rd movie, but I hear they do and I can't wait.
Be sure to stay through the credits, for some preview footage of the next installment. And until Revolutions hits theaters in November, you can watch the Animatrix shorts, and play the Enter The Matrix game. Both of which supposedly give you greater insight into the overall story. Some might say this is a marketing scheme to get Matrix fans to spend more cash, but that's fine by me. I'm a fan, and I like that they are releasing some additional Matrix material as long as it's quality stuff.