Loose editing, but nice SFX

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2003)

Comparing this to the first ONE is pointless. Having said that, I must say this is a good movie nevertheless.
Good points: Deeper exposÃ© of the fascinating concept of the Matrix. Some great stunts, new effects and choreography. Fairly good photography, visual impact and cinematography. Good sound effects. Acting is weak but fundamental to the original style.
Weak points: 1. Initial 20 min of the movie was too long, loosely edited, and did not add much to the plot.
2. Last 10 min when Neo was communicating with the Source -- dialog was too fast, too profound, leaving no time for audience to digest the concepts.

3. Overall dialog is rather inane, pedestrian; not as terse yet punchy as in the first
4. Fight scenes were too long drawn and similar, as were some of the other action sequences. The final outcome was always predictable; and Neo always ends up playing Superman to get out of the rut. His stoney facial expressions when he is flying, are also downright uninspiring.

5. Plot development not well organised, although plot adds more delicious meat to the original concepts propounded by the first movie

6. Many self-contradictory concepts introduced, leaving viewers incredulous. E.g. Neo being able to overcome death in the Matrix; Having ability to defy gravity yet still obeying it in the fight scenes, etc. I may have missed the deeper meaning behind such "contradictions" here, but hey, no fair explanation was proposed anywhere in the movie to ask us to give it the benefit of the doubt.
7. Soundtrack was rather mundane.
CONCLUSION Definitely a MUST-SEE if you loved the original movie. Definitely a MUST-SEE for the action scenes and those new to the sfx of the first movie. Repeat viewing is *strongly recommended* if you want to analyze the philosophical dogma at several points in the movie (discussions with the Oracle, the Source, the French ass). Overall, despite its substantial editing and directorial flaws, it is still a watchable movie given its lineage and our propensity to fully understand this fascinating concept called the Matrix.