It's different, things are not what they seem...you must see it again.

Rating: 9/10 (22 May 2003)

I can understand the negative reactions of some people about this movie and so it most be that these people are not true sci-fi/japanimation fans or do not fully understand what's happening with this particular type of story. I do not intend to explain everything because that's why you should see the movie, but I feel some stuff should be cleared. I'll try to avoid heavy spoilers, although other comments have been permitted to reveal a lot. I hope this helps the ones who don't understand and motivates the ones who want to understand.
First and most important (as some other review mentioned), the Wachowski Brothers did a 5 to 6 hour long movie and obviously had to cut it in two parts because it would be to much on anyone's body. This is the main reason for all of the loose threads (Smith's purpose, Persephone's purpose, Bane's mystery, the Oracle's fate, the truth) and the open ending.
Next is to understand that The Matrix (first movie) had to be made in a way that was easier to grasp for the person that it's not really deep into the theories of sci-fi or had experience with the japanimation styles and philosophies. Even so, you had to see the movie more than once to truly understand everything going on; this is why action happens more than the dialog and mystical stuff. Also sexual connotations are non-existent in the first movie, but if you read something about the directors, you'll know that their first movie is Bound and it's a very sexually oriented story. Also the sex, or the erotic, theme is evident in most japanimations.
Now that The Matrix has establish a legend with thousands of fans that read and study about what the directors want to show, the executives have given the Wachowski the opportunity to go deeper into the new cinema they have created. You need to know that these guys are into martial arts (obviously), japanimation, technology, and oriental philosophy (as presented in their movies and animation). They are blending all this together, which I think has never been done before, and are doing it with style and exaggerated attention to detail. I recommend that people watch Ghost In The Shell and AKIRA, which are of the most famous japanimations and present some of the philosophy used in The Matrix.
So, The Matrix Reloaded dwells more into the mystical side of the story, to the point of mindbending, and introduces the erotic as part of the human nature. Whoever said there's nothing new, I don't know what they were expecting. Smith is changed, he's more powerful and independent of the system (or is he?) and we don't really know what he wants. We experience Neo and Trinity's full relationship. Zion and it's people dynamics are presented (I accept this is not too creative, but nevertheless is needed for the story to work). We learn that not only has been another "One" before Neo, there's been more...but Neo seems to be truly special. We meet rogue programs (like the agents, part of the system, but not dependent of it) that supposedly are escaping deletion (death/destruction) from the Matrix; some are bad, some are good, some are mysterious. We meet a "master program" which reveals a truth that could drive Neo and anyone crazy. I mean, what else do you want? You know..."Luke, I'm your father" can't be the most dramatic turn forever.
See that I have been explaining more theory than action, because everyone knows the action once again set's the bar for others to try and jump over. The important thing here is to get involved into the story and it's mystical surroundings. Most true sci-fi movies has not been easy to understand at first (Star Wars, 2001/2010, Contact, etc), you have to know something about the theories behind them and accept the possibilities. Every great movie has attention to detail and brings the fundamentals of what's to come into it's dialog; if you don't pay attention to what's been said, if you don't accept what's been exposed as the base of the movie, then you won't understand and you will not like the story been told. In this light, if you didn't understand or didn't like The Matrix too much, then don't waste your time on The Matrix Reloaded. But, for those curious I tell you, prepare yourself, see The Matrix again and see the documentaries, talk to people who know, read, see the japanimations and Animatrix...maybe you'll see where this is going.
For those who like and understand The Matrix, Reloaded is a phenomenal sequel that you'll need to see again to fully understand; it leaves you with a completely unfinished feel that you know will be completed in The Matrix Revolutions. The only thing...not really bad, but that I was looking forward to, is that no great musical piece is attached to any of the action sequences. The music for the training and lobby sequences in the first Matrix was a perfect complement to what was happening; sadly that didn't happened here (the music from the trailer is better than anything played in the movie, strange). But that is the only and very minimal flaw I found from my first experience last night, I will see it again on Saturday...I have to...you must see it again.