Sophisticated Sequel

Rating: 10/10 (10 June 2003)

I am surprised to see this film criticised in some quarters. I found it intriguing ( you have to think while you watch this movie)and it also links to its predecessor in clever ways ( the scene in the first movie when the agents first interview Neo is introduced in a way that suddenly gains a new perspective after having seen this movie).
Most of the characters are better fleshed out in this film. Zion may not be entirely original in its look (didn't Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection do this first with their production design?)but it is nevertheless very well executed, and fits the story well.
The fighting is tougher and rougher in this film, and the Oracle, Merovingian and Agent Smith are the main focuses of some amusing dry humor, with some additional droll contributions from Neo and the Twins.
Contrary to some comments, the pacing is NOT sluggish - the action sequences are well worked into the storyline and the expository moments are well played by the cast, albeit both Trinity and Morpheus's roles are somewhat more subdued this time around. After all, this is a complex and ambitious story and therefore requires some extended dialogue sequences. You are expected, as the audience, to THINK!
The action sequences are clearly more ambitious in this film, with less emphasis on the balletic quality of the fights in the first film, and more on making them more exciting and outrageous, and in this regard the film works brilliantly
Don Davis's score is the other outstanding feature of this movie. His score in the first film was pretty good, but this is clearly his best work to date, with certain sequences paying homages to Bond and the Terminator films.
A throughly enjoyable and interesting film that in my view, actually met very high expectations when I first saw it.