Matrixed.

Rating: Null/10 (26 June 2003)

"The Matrix Reloaded" continues the long and sometimes very confusing saga of a human race of people trying desperately to reclaim their place on the planet over a group of tyrannical Controllers that run everything in the real reality and the virtual reality worlds. The story picks up several months after its predecessor and Keanu Reeves is having recurring dreams of Carrie-Anne Moss' death. Laurence Fishburne and the two aforementioned players go to Zion (which was talked about the entire first film, but never seen) and we get greater insight to what remains of the human race. It appears that the Controllers (led by Hugo Weaving who has also struck gold in "The Lord of the Rings" series) are about to attack Zion within three days and try to eliminate the few humans that remain. Thus the clock is ticking on Reeves and company as they try to stem the tide and possibly end the war for good. Unfortunately the Controllers have gained strength as Weaving is now able to duplicate himself endlessly. Twists and turns aplenty are in "The Matrix Reloaded" and the only real solution in the end is a bridge to get us to the third entry in the series. The second chapter in the trilogy is a little better than the first (I was not a huge fan of the first film). It widens its scope and it explains a few things that were hard to comprehend in the initial installment. The introduction of several new characters (Jada Pinkett-Smith and the illuminating Monica Belluci in the roles) ends up adding new dimensions that I would have never been able to predict beforehand. There is lots more action as well. I found the first chapter way too talkative and a bit dull in many areas. This movie still suffers from some dull moments (the screenplay's dialogue is questionable at best), but the action sequences are mind-blowing to say the least. The special effects and editing techniques are even better than the Oscar-winning ones from its predecessor. When all is said and done though "The Matrix Reloaded" is still not a total triumph with me. I remarked that the first film was "as empty and meaningless as a painting by Picasso". Admittedly I don't quite feel that strongly now after seeing this film. The first movie makes a lot more sense to me and I have a little more insight into what the Wachowski Brothers are trying to say here (the directors/co-writers). With that said I think the ideas in "The Matrix" are a wide jumble that never do come together in a cohesive manner. In this series there are undertones of Biblical teaching, Greek philosophy, science-fiction story-telling and an almost endless number of elements from varying cultures around the world. When put together the experience is more migraine-inducing than it is interesting. "The Matrix" series lacks everything that the recent "The Lord of the Rings" series has. "The Lord of the Rings" has a focus that keeps its audience interested and intrigued. It has a heart, mind and soul that put it above most other productions of the genre. "The Matrix" has a better mind than I originally thought it had, but its heart and soul are still nowhere to be found. The series is very cold, sterile and at times a trial to get through. I am anxious to see how this series concludes, but in the end I am not sure I will care any more or less about "The Matrix" and that makes it only average when it finally completes its long schizophrenic journey. 2.5 out of 5 stars.