The new Empire

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2003)

See it again. This movie took the great original and opened up a brave new world. It takes such brass to do what the brothers' did. OK, yes, "the kid" was a stretch because of the Animatrix. It sells, its Hollywood. But what the Brothers are trying to do is make a whole new world, a new universe, not unlike Star Wars but with a very human feel.
The first movie takes place on ONE ship! What do the other ships do? What about Zion? How do those people feel about their situation? Can anyone save them from doom? This is what makes Morpheus' speech work - pride and fear - Just like most religions. They believe Neo is the one and how it all is handled is a very cautionary religious tale, which might be a redemption in the third movie. Now, I am not a religious person. Not at all. But I can see a good story. For those who thought the first movie was great, which I do too, after seeing this film the first time, I did not think it was the best movie because it veered so off from the original...but that is what makes it so great the second time. First time around, you look for similarities to the first, the "sequel"-ness to it. It is NOT a sequel, it is a continuation. It takes what you know and forms opinions from it, ideas from it. The second time around watching it, you are ready for it. AND LISTEN TO THE FIRST 40 MINUTES OF THE FILM!!! The insights and thoughts set up a great payoff - Which off course as most know, leaves a cliffhanger...but stay for the end of the credits (which are long) for a teaser for the third film.
For those who felt "cheated" the first time he/she watched it...think how HIGH your expectations were and relax, take a deep breath, watch the film as you did the first and see it as a great continuation to a wonderful story. You know how bad The Empire Strikes Back was panned? Why? Because it was so darn different. It opened up too much, it stretched, it veered, it was hard to top the original. Try this film again, with a clear mind. It is a wonderful film.