OK. So there is no spoon, but there's not a lot else here either.

Rating: Null/10 (25 November 2003)

So where to begin? If like me, you are a fan of the original Matrix movie, you will have no doubt felt a rush of blood at the thought of a second and third part of what instantly became one of the best Sci-Fi action films of all time. And why wouldn't you?
The Matrix had everything you could wish for in a movie. It was intelligent, cool, sexy, thought provoking, emotive, imaginative, well written and it crossed the commercial divide becoming more than just a flick for hardcore Sci-Fi anoraks, also appealing to a mainstream audience. The Wachowski's had defined the future of fantasy filmmaking and it looked good.

This film concentrates on bringing us up to date with the story, the characters and laying the foundations for the final instalment. Immediately the tone is darker as mankind is now staring directly down the barrel of annihilation. The pace is slower; unfortunately there is no air of mystery to the story. We all know what is going to happen, which turns it into an open book rather than letting the story unfold.
This continues throughout Reloaded as the Wachowski's bombard us with scenes that quiet frankly leave you wondering what they are doing in the movie in the first place. There is too much dialogue and philosophical musings about fate, destiny, belief, life, love, death etc. Whilst this is for the most part thought provoking and intelligent, it doesn't really add anything to the story except and prevents the movie building up any kind of tension or urgency in an already plot heavy film.
Unfortunately the same is true of the actions scenes, which although visually stunning are too effects driven (yes, there is such as thing). In most cases these scenes are also too long and as spectacular as they are, are overdone.
The key performances are solid enough; Reeves has less acting to do in comparison to the first movie but handles the job of fighting a lot while looking cool admirably. Fishburne and Moss do well in further developing their characters and bringing out new dimensions and motivations with credibility. The disappointments here are Weaving and Pinkett-Smith who despite having great acting ability are simply not given enough to do.
We end on the cliffhanger TO BE CONCLUDED', which I am afraid cheapened the film for me, making it more TV mini serial than glossy Sci-Fi extravaganza. I assume the third instalment will begin immediately where this leaves off (hopefully without a previously in The Matrix' segment).
Although all the familiar Matrix traits are here, (the SFX, the fights and the explosions) Reloaded fails to tap back into the winning formula of it's predecessor or live up to the hype and expectations surrounding it. While there is plenty to see visually the film does not suffer from a lack of, more like too much substance, which will leave many confused.
I have no doubt that Reloaded will greatly appeal to hardcore fans of genre eat it up and have them salivating all over their comic books in anticipation of the third film. Unfortunately I think a lot of the intelligence and subtlety the Wachowski's have tried to build into this movie has fallen short of the mark and will be lost and unappreciated by a mainstream movie going public.
Truly one of the year's biggest disappointments, but one which will hopefully be redeemed by the concluding part.