It is what it is...

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2003)

First off, let it be said that this is NOT a perfect movie. I saw it on opening day, so obviously I really wanted to see it - but whether or not it is better than the original is open for debate.
High points: The special effects - I saw both of the last Star Wars movies on opening day also, and I don't recall ever being to a movie, those two included, where the audience applauded the EFFECTS. They are simply incredible. See the movie, and you will be talking about scenes around the water cooler for days. They are THAT good. Also, the fighting is among the best I have ever seen, bar none, and I could watch it all day. Some of the stunts are "over the top" as has been mentioned elsewhere, but no more so than some other popular, recent action flicks. It's a comic book adapted for the screen, people - it's SUPPOSED to be eye candy! I say it succeeds at that, in spades.
Low points: The pacing is spotty, and some of the scenes are badly contrived. The plot doesn't chug along as nicely as the original. I don't mind the self-referential humor, but this movie sometimes really tries to be all things to all people, and suffers because of that. There is some seemingly forced affection between Neo and Trinity which I think we could have accepted without proof - after all, who among us is going to "Reloaded" for the romance? There is also relatively gratuitous sex thrown in for good measure, in the form of an underground "rave" - although it takes place in a temple as opposed to a "dance club" as someone said. I have no problem with sex, but this seemed out of place, and had no plot impact whatsoever. Finally, the movie grinds to a halt with an aggravatingly obtuse lecture at the end that could have made use of much smaller words (and less latin) and the mindblowing would have been no less. Oh well.
Yeah, I would have done some things in the movie differently. But I admit that I'll watch it again, AND I'll buy the DVD, AND I can't wait to see "Revolutions," too. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go see it! 8 out of 10.