The Matrix v2.0

Rating: 8/10 (15 May 2003)

[Note: small spoilers--no more than in the trailer]
It is impossible for a sequel to the Matrix to reproduce the most striking quality of the first film: an originality of vision. The philosophical ponderings were centuries old, but the context was strikingly modern, elegant, and electrifying. The Matrix Reloaded introduces more philosophical complexity, more characters, more weapons, more bullet-time, and more Agent Smith--a lot more Agent Smith. But does that make it better?
The Matrix Reloaded reminds me of bloatware--software that in successive versions continues to expand in size and complexity as hardware capabilities improve, but you still wind up using only about twenty of the 300 or so available functions. What I responded to in the Matrix is what I responded to in Matrix 2.0: musings about free will, fate, God, and technology; a throbbing techno soundtrack; clean, simple, beautiful action sequences; haute couture costume design and set decoration.
While a man's reach should exceed his grasp, the same cannot be said of a visual effects coordinator. John Gaeta had some difficulty realizing a few scenes, such as the cartoonish multi-Smith scene, the Superman thing, and some freeway collisions. But I'm nitpicking. Many tech-heavy sequences are flawless and spectacular. I can't get Trinity's fall out of my mind. The freeway chase may be the best chase in film, though the movie Ronin delivered a similar against-traffic-flow sequence.
New cast members are refreshingly unfamiliar. There are no distracting Hollywood heavyweights in cameos, though the opportunities abound. Monica Belluci and her cleavage appear as Persephone. Helmut Bakaitis is the enigmatic Architect. The Buckwheat-esque Link is played by Harold Perrineau. Harry Lennix plays Commander Lock. Lambert Wilson shines as the Merovingian. Who the hell are these people? I've seen them in, like, one or two movies, tops.
The most glaring shortcoming of v2.0 is Zion. Especially that rave / sex scene. I can see why Cypher wanted back into the Matrix after I got a glimpse of humanity's last bastion.
On a final note, the frustration with the 'To Be Continued' (actually reads 'To Be Concluded') ending voiced by some commentators is totally misplaced. We only have to wait six months for the next one, and knew all along that there is more to come.
Matrix v1.0 - 9/10
Matrix v2.0 - 8/10