Fantastic but different sequel

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2003)

The Matrix Reloaded continues from where the Matrix left off of course. Neo has been freed from the virtual reality computer system, The Matrix, and is now planning with his compatriots from Zion (an underground colony of humans) to destroy the machines. Events are overtaken when it transpires the machines are trying to destroy the humans also. Therefore a race transpires to stop the machines reaching Zion, to save what remains of humanity.
Similar to the first film Matrix Reloaded has a blend of incredible actions sequence, but they are much longer than in the first, also a much larger number of "talkie" sequences. The plot is relatively complex (none of the people I watched this with understood it fully, other than me). Fans of The Matrix may well like Matrix Reloaded, but there's no guarantee of course due to the differences.
There are a lot of negative comments and naysayer's about this second outing for The Matrix. Personally I think a lot of it stems from pessimistic comments. In some sense the first film makes the second film a victim of its success. The first film offered so much originality, perhaps not in plot, but certainly in many other areas that overwhelmed the unoriginal plot. The second film though similar is distinctly different in pace to the original, rather than being evenly toned it tends to vary between long "talkie" sequences and equally long action sequences. Many of the pessimistic comments come down to the film action sequences being too long, and equally the overuse of the talkie sequences. Personally I see this from an optimistic point-of-view. The action sequences were so good in The Matrix I didn't want them to stop, and therefore I could gorge myself on those in Matrix Reloaded. The talkie sequences offered a change in pace as well, and some more insight into the developing plot. A lot of pessimistic comments are made about the dialog, and one-liners. I don't think the Wachowski brothers were trying to write a biblical epic here, the dialog is what it is, and I didn't see any prophetic about it, and I didn't need to. So in terms of negative comments, some of the fight sequences don't look quite as sharp as The Matrix 1. That's really the only bad thing I have to say. In terms of story, Matrix Reloaded has more originality than the first but still feels similar to a lot of previous films and other media. The acting is generally better than the first, particularly Keanu Reeves who I found a slightly odd choice the first time round. Of course the movie oozes style and excellent cinematography. The music is perhaps a little more lacking that the first, and it uses a lot less non-original music that the first, replacing it with score. Despite this some of the set action pieces are excellently scored, which balances out the musical problem. In summary a different movie to the first, but equally fantastic. 5/5