Lots of action, weak story

Rating: 5/10 (29 June 2007)

This was one of the most anticipated sequels of recent years. No doubt it is bigger, faster and more stylish - 'faster' is to say, the story is anxiously pirouetting along and the main characters make iconic dress-puppets. All actors have earned a Sports Oscar for their performance. Yet in comparison it pales to the classic "The Matrix" deservedly has become. It's a Down-to-Earth for all who have wondered how such geniuses as the Wachowskis could have emerged overnight - I suspect both Matrix sequels were really faked by the matrix, or hastily scribbled by two guys completely thrown by their success.
The story would maybe work if they had either decided to make 8 sequels or stick to the red string - Neo - and make it really interesting. His love affair with Trinity is very touching, but doesn't make the day. I waited for the story to draw me in like it did in the original, but in vain. The Merowingian is an interesting character, but interchangeable like almost everything else. Neo's encounter with the Architect should be the high point of the film, but stands out as a rather over-sophisticated two minutes in two hours of random Kung fu ballet. Hugo Weaving as Smith is a 'survivor' from the old crew and I always enjoy his great sarcastic performance, but the fact he is built up to be Neo's Nemesis spells out the lack of new ideas. The philosophical side of the film is more satisfying than it first seems, though. I doubt many will appreciate it, it's too overblown and alien in contrast to the action. So while both sequels added up don't come anywhere near "The Matrix", the action is fun to watch - the speedway chase is really breathtaking.
Looking close at the cast I noticed some entries for "Thomas Anderson age ..." - as a Matrix fan I would like to see those deleted scenes. Both Matrix sequels are stumps - so much is left out that it would be interesting to compare the finished product to what the directors originally intended.