Good, but left me longing for the conciseness of the original

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2003)

One of the major reasons that The Matrix succeed as a film was that it possessed a very concise focus: no trite sub-plots muddled this focus, and few major characters allowed for an even and well paced progression of the plot. Even the cinematography reflected this sleek look: the film world was cold, grey, and sleek, very concise, organized. Rather than being led on by multiple plot points and the inner details of character's lives, the viewer of the Matrix was strung along by continuing discovery of the word of the Matrix. It beings an enticing mystery where a character can defy the laws of reality, and the viewer is sucked into this world, wanting to find out its inner workings, which were truly fascinating. But since this world had already been, for the most part, disclosed to the viewer after the first film, Reloaded had to offer the audience something different. In this manner the Wachowski brothers had painted themselves into a corner: having made such a memorable and ground-breaking film, the sequel was obliged to surpass its predecessor. Therefore the cold, focused look of the Matrix had to be lost for Reloaded, at the danger of creating a second film that was much like the original, only with better special effects. The loss of this focus resulted in the scattered nature of Reloaded: the forays into seemingly minor character's personal lives, the seemingly meaningless sex scenes, the introduction of many new characters. One character, however, did succeed for me: the Merovingian. His character was shielded by a veil of mystery about his purpose and motives, mystery that evoked the nature of the first film. I was fascinated by him and his entourage (the twins were wonderful), and how they fit into the greater scheme of the Matrix, while the clichéd writhing sexy dancers of Zion left me bored to tears, just waiting until Neo was plugged in again. The problem with Zion is that the characters and their struggle are both so hackneyed: the shirtless (And somehow all good looking? Living in Zion must come with a free gym membership.) freedom-loving revolutionaries are straight out of the rebels from Star Wars, or any other such movie. I, frankly, don't really give a damn about them. For Chrissake: you know who's going to win! I was angry and disappointed that Reloaded had fallen into these cinematic traps that its predecessor had cunningly avoided. Don't get me wrong: the freeway chase alone is worth the price of admission, and the film does have its saving moments of intellectual curiosities. Though the film will most definitely stimulate your senses, it leaves your mind quite a bit to be desired.