Overall excellent, a worthy sequel

Rating: 10/10 (15 May 2003)

Totally absorbing 2+ hours. Some scenes had the audience cheering. I heard a few oohs and aahs and lots of chuckles.
This one builds on the original's story and effects. Absorbing story for those who like cerebral sci-fi, with riveting action and a new high for digital effects.
The story is turning out to be even more clever than in the first movie. The events of the previous movie were not forgotten, including Neo's new superpowers, and his status in the "real" world. I wondered how they could create conflict in the Matrix now that Neo is a God there. They found ways! Most of the action is still in the Matrix.
Some of the exposition went on too long, but there was a lot of story to relate. Fortunately they told most of it in snappy dialogue, and bracketed it between action sequences that will leave you breathless.
They brought back Hugo Weaving in a believable way, and gave his character a twist. I'm glad, since his character and performance was a highlight for me in the first movie, and in this one. There are interesting new villains too.
Some of the fight sequences went on too long. Some places started to feel like a Jackie Chan movie. They are exciting though, and always fit the scene and serve a purpose. They used less wire work, which I appreciated. Wire work has been everywhere since Crouching Tiger and it's really getting overdone.
The ending was delightfully ambiguous. Did Neo do that, or was he trying to do something else and the other party interefered?
A worthy sequel. I'm now even more interested in how this story is going to end.