The Matrix Reloaded

Rating: 5/10 (23 June 2005)

With the huge success and critical acclaim of the original film, a sequel from directing brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski seemed the obvious thing to do. They don't explain fully how it is possible, but Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is back turning ordinary people (still in The Matrix) into him to try and kill the rebels. Neo (Keanu Reeves) of course has grown more powerful as 'The One', and with Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), who he has strong feelings for, they are still fighting the war against machines in Zion. The special effects are certainly much more elaborate and impressive, and the fight sequences are always interesting (but also unending), but there is no freshness or originality. Also starring Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, Monica Bellucci as Persephone, Collin Chou as Seraph, Nona Gaye as Zee, Randall Duk Kim as The Keymaker, Harry J. Lennix as Commander Lock, Lost's Harold Perrineau as Link, Licence to Kill's Anthony Zerbe as Councillor Hamann and Saw's Leigh Whannell as Axel. The acting is less convincing, the scene with Neo and The Oracle (Gloria Foster) is like they have only just met again (similar to the "reminders" in The Mummy Returns, made like no-one has seen the first film), that scene with The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis), creator of The Matrix, you can hardly understand a thing he's saying (well, lots of the scripted dialogue could be improved), it can get very confusing, and the only scenes that stand out are the unending street fight with loads of Agent Smiths, and the motorway chase. It was number 96 on The Ultimate Film, instead of the way better original. Worth watching!