Great fun with some buts

Rating: 5/10 (15 May 2003)

*** Warning, this review contains what could be spoilers, nothing big, but I should still warn you ***
After a moments confusion as to which theatre people should be in, the AMC usher came in a second and last time to give some announcements. The best one was that they were offering this film in 10 of their theatres (I think a ll were at 10:00 and 10:30, but those were the only two times I saw), and that all 10 were SOLD OUT!! As Neo said, "Woah." They said it was a record for them. I guess!
Anyway, it was a great crowd. They whooped at the trailers, ooed and awed at the special effects and clapped at the end. Most left during the beginning of the credits including me. I can wait for a more decent time to wait out the long credits to see the extra scenes for the thrid movie.
So, what did I think about the movie, already? In a sentence, great fun with some buts. It truly did have some amazing action pieces with everything coming together very fluidly. It was done so well it looked> effortless and creative and you didn't notice any human-CGI oddities so as to take you out of the movie. Bravo! I would also like to mention that this is the greatest car chase sequence I have ever seen. It belongs amoung the greats.
Now, I want to touch on the film as a whole. I was surprised at how different the tone was. To me, at first, it just didn't feel like the first one or as it's continuing chapter. It's hard to explain. It seemed ... well, different. I could almost see the pieces of the story, the cause and effect, instead of the whole. With the first one, it was almost the opposite. I also think the movie contained some flabby bits. What the Hell was that Zion rave crap? I'm sorry, but a few crazy drums and obvious modern-ballet dancing is not enough. Sure, they threw each other up in the air, and sure there were some see-thru shirts, but it was too long and kind of pointless. And did we really need to see Neo and Trinity so long and close together? We didn't even get to SEE anything -- this is R rated?????
I also didn't like the editing. What parts were Neo's dreaming and which weren't? And, near the end, when they are planning the last thing, the jumping around in time was just confusing. I'm sorry, it just is. I am sophisticated enough to "get" experimental filming; but this just got in the way of the story. Time jumping was essential and worked (although it was strange) in films like "The Limey", but with this one, you were just going "What the Hell?" and that pulled me out of the movie. But ... I did see it at the pefect time to go home and go right to sleep. I got to bed around 12:35, went to sleep between that and 1 I guess. So, I was able to literally sleep on it. The movie flowed through my brain as I slept, and that was actually nice. I don't remember anything, but it was cool. It was then, after mixing the actual miovie with my own dream imagry of it, that I came up with the feeling that I was watching some else's dream on the big screen. That would explain the weird editing and tone! Otherwise, I am clueless as to what it all meant. Will I see it again? Yes. But, I am still not sure about it. I feel as if the brothers have pulled a "MYST" here. I doubt this gazillion-selling computer game reference needs explaining .. but just in case it ended with a major cliff hanger and it made you feel intrigued and cheated at the same time. You could come up with excuses like they ran out of time and money, and look how much better Riven is look-wise, but still ... it was half a game with an unfair cliffhanger. I must admit to feeling a little sore that I have to wait, what, another sin' months for the rest of the story? This whole thing felt like middle material. Like the brothers are showing how smart they are. Oh well. I also have the sinking feeling that I will have to play the game to get more of the movie. that's not fair, what if I suck at the game? How will I ever find out what else was supposed to happen?
I'm being serious! Now I'm marking them down to 3 thingys, except I add back a half thingy because that was such an awesome car chase sequence. So, I have to wait for Revolutions for the other slice of bread so I can eat my damn sandwich already. Fine. So, I reserve final judgement for the airing of the last chapter. Sigh. At least it felt worth the $8.50 and it wasn't at all like every other sequel I've ever seen. This was not Jaws 2, The Mummy Returns, or Jason MCXVIII. So, for that, I am greatful. Now, if only somebody could explain to me the significance of the bloody hand in Zion, the weird time-jumping near the end, What were Neo dreams or not, and that weird "dreamscape" ending I'll feel better.
The Oracle still rocks, even though she has no moves whatsoever. Nice addition of humour (especially of the inside-joke variety) here and interesting Agent take-overs. It was also truly creepy when Smith copied himself ... what do you do against that? Great concept!!
In the third one? More Jada, less Zion "orgies". And please, no more dream/vision thingys unless done with less confusion or meaning/ creativity.