A somewhat entertaining mess visually and plot- wise

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2003)

After The Matrix become a huge hit, won many technical Oscars, and started the entire "bullet- time" idea that so many movies would copy, a sequel was inevitable. Along the way, many little hints and clues and rumors were spread all around and when every new trailer was released for the movie everyone had to see it. But what happened to The Matrix Reloaded doesn't have to happen to every sequel. Quite a bit of people will say the point of number 2 in the trilogy is to set- up things for number 3 so it's pointless to complain about plot gaps. That's not always the case. For example, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom didn't quite set up for The Last Crusade. A lot of weight rests on the shoulders of sequels: they have to a) entertain b) be as good as the first one or even better c) have better effects then the first one and d) be able to stand- out alone. The Matrix Reloaded briefly entertains with it's edgy and kinetic action sequences such as the twenty or so minute long Highway Chase, but sometimes the action feels a bit stretched. For example, when Neo was fighting off the 100 Agent Smiths (something that has been advertised about the movie just about everywhere), why couldn't he have just flown away in the first place? In The Matrix all the action sequences made sense, they connected with the story, and they just made you go "Wow". In terms of characters and character development, there isn't anything improved on from number one. Things get worse. It seems that Keanu Reeves is now totally concerned with flying around and getting into fights with people, and he just says his lines with no real intensity. Lawrence Fishburne tries to be a leader- like figure with his "uplifting" speech to Zion which he delivered terribley. The rest of the cast is fine, except for Hugo Weaving who seems to be there just to complicate things. With so many flaws, how can this movie not be bad? Well, there is an occasional perfect balance of story- line and action, and things get very suspenseful and dramatic. The action sequences are quite amazing, and the special effects are dazzling. Yes, The Matrix is of better then this sequel, and yes things are left open quite a bit for The Matrix Revolutions. Oh and the Zion scenes weren't very good. 7.5/10