C-

Rating: 5/10 (1 October 2003)

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Jada Pinkett Smith Director: The Waichowski Bros. Rating:R (Stylized Action/Violence, and a Scene of Sexuality/Nudity) Grade:C-
*Yes I do realize I will get stoned to death for saying this. The Completely unnecessary sequel to The Matrix (1999) brings back Keanu Reeves as Neo. In the first film; Neo was learning that he was destined to be `the one'. The One would supposedly free the people of the city of Zion, and fight the machines who harvest the humans for there source of energy. While I was a huge fan of the first film (which isn't saying much, seeing as this sequel is so incredibly different) I did not like the sequel because of its lack of vision, and also it seemed too much like a video game. It is also a great example of the age old saying that; just because it has a larger budget doesn't mean its better. What was so fresh about the original was the fact that it was all very cloak and dagger type stuff. You didn't see the city of Zion at all, or the Episode I type council of philosophical malcontents. For all you knew the only people who actually lived outside the matrix, was the crew of the Nebacanezar. The original left so much to the imagination. The sequel pulls off the sheets and shows you everything, saying; this is what it's really like outside the matrix, you know now, it's too bad if you don't like it. Not to mention, the Zion rave scene that goes on for an astounding 15 minutes or so. In this scene people dance in a ritualistic fashion, and jump up and down in bullet time, while beads of sweat pour off there dreadlocks. What's also a major let down is the lack of guns, and sufficient coherent battles. In fact instead of Neo and others engaging in gritty brutal fights with agents and SWAT team members, there engaging in long and boring philosophical conversations, that are just there to sound smart. Not to mention the fact that when there is action, it either makes absolutely no sense, or is just sprinkled in at random. There is one particularly brainless scene, which involves Neo vs. about 50 Agent Smiths. In that scene Neo and the Agent Smiths, engage in hand to hand combat for 20 minutes or so for no apparent reason. Why do they fight if; Neo can just fly away, and Agent Smith just keeps making more of himself? One of the biggest problems when compared to the original is the fact that there is so little at stake. Except for the fact that the machines will eventually attack Zion, there's really no thrill. I mean if Neo can fly, and bend reality, and stop machines with his bare hands, and beat the s*** out of countless people, does he really have anything to worry about. Not to mention that if anyone were to die, Neo can just turn there heart back on like a light switch. The acting in Reloaded is average. With the exception of Carrie Anne Moss (Trinity), and Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith) who lighten up the screen, everyone else has a straight face, and walks around like they just had a lobotomy. Also, the presence of Joe Pantoliano (Cypher) is surely missed, he really added allot of energy to the first one. Reloaded in the end, does act as a guilty pleasure. It is entertaining to a degree, but is that what I really want in a seemingly intelligent Sci-Fi epic. Granted, Reloaded does have its occasional inspired moment, and it has allot of hints and ideas that; signal things to come. In the end though The Matrix 'Bloated' (no that's not a typo), is a poorly constructed bridge between the beginning and the end, of a trilogy.