The sad difference between The Matrix and TM-Reloaded

Rating: 1/10 (18 June 2003)

Despite their supposed (and much publicized) distaste for marketing requirements and critical acclaim I assume the Wachowski Brothers. must have suffered an incredible amount of pressure when facing the making of TM-R. When expectations are so high people tend to feel easily disappointed. The directors (knowing this fact) have tried to work a different enough plot in order to surprise the audience and keep it intrigued. The Matrix dealt with the topic of Reality: how do we know the life we think we are living is 'Real Life'? The Matrix Reloaded deals with the one of Freedom: is there anything like 'free will' or our choices are predetermined?.The Wachovski Brothers have also created new twists and new info enriching the amazing universe they created in the first film.
All these efforts towards originality must be recognized. The problem is that the plot of this second Matrix is a total flop.
Yes, I know... the script of the first film was not perfect: at the end it gets too mystical, risking the likeliness of the plot, that feeling that can be summarized with: 'Gosh... this COULD really happen.' But it was very clever and, above all, understandable.
The plot of The Matrix Reloaded is a mess and it's meaningless, characters are stereotypical and uncharismatic, actions are unfounded, dialogues are obscure, there are loads of 'deus-ex-machina' and the religious part is over-emphasized frustrating the necessary suspension of disbelief. Add to all this the fact that battles get repetitive and boring.
Of course I could be just a bit thick to understand the 'subtle' and difficult plot of TM-R. Maybe... but I went with two friends who I consider very intelligent: one is a physicist and mathematician and the other has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Cognitive Sciences. The three of us agree completely: we enjoyed a lot The Matrix and we loathed The Matrix Reloaded.
Matrix: a very good story supported by astounding FX.
The Matrix Reloaded: a very bad story collapsed under not-surprising-anymore FX.
That's the very sad difference between the two films.