Different and same

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 2003)

I have to confess that when I first saw The Matrix Reloaded I felt cheated and annoyed. Then, I thought about the content a little bit. Then I almost got a headache. Ow.
Then again, I had the same feeling with 2001 Space Odyssey. I first thought it was garbage, the second time I saw it it felt far more interesting.
I was maybe just shocked because the movie is very different from the predecessor, yet it's more of the same. The Matrix *seemed* like a movie that was wholly self-contained. The sequel doesn't try to explain it, it just challenges it. There's pseudo-philosophical mumbojumbo that's different from the pseudo-philosophical mumbojumbo of the first movie - and it's presented in a different way. There's action and cool kung-fu that's different from action and cool kung-fu of the first movie.
I have to say that in the end I'm not disappointed - it's a movie with cool action stuff and things that make you think and spout gibberish about nature of universe and all that. Great material if you like smart movies, good stuff if you want action. It is not without its flaws: some scenes (*ahem*) could have been cut down. The music choices aren't as memorable as in the first part (though the incidental music is still as good).
It is, in my own humble opinion, a worthy continuation for The Matrix. It's just very *different* from what I expected. But surprise can be a good thing. And oh yes, I'm definitely waiting for the conclusion.