Neo & co. return in full-tilt form; one of the best sequels ever!

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2003)

THE MATRIX RELOADED (2003) **** Awe-inspiring sequel to the insanely popular sci-fi series (chapter 2 in the upcoming conclusive trilogy) with Reeves as Neo, the chosen one, leading the rebel force of humans to stop the upcoming war between machines with mankind in the virtual reality of `the matrix' with several obstacles in his newly formed path of choices not the very least his arch rival and lethal nemesis Agent Smith (silky evil personified by Weaving also reprising his iconic role); realizing his true powers via The Oracle (Foster, who passed away shortly after filming her last role here) and his mentor, the visionary Morpheus (Fishburne, the baddest cat of the new millennia); and the ongoing romance with the always stoically sexy Trinity (Moss showing new meanings to the term 'ballsy'). On hand to help are newcomers including operator Perrineau and his main squeeze/warrior Gaye (who replaced the late r&b singer Aaliyah who was killed prior to the film's production); Pinkett Smith as Morpheus' ex and fellow sentinel freedom fighter who shares some bad blood with fellow commander Lennix and the Keymaker (Duk Kim who provides the missing link to total domination); and on the opposite side of good: femme fatale Bellucci, the jaw-droppingly beautiful concoction of Eurotrash magnate Lambert's; the diabolically deceitful albino-Rasta locked Rayment twins and the tricky Architect of the parallel universe (Bakaitis). The true stars are the groundbreakingly awesome visual effects cooked up by the filmmaking sibling wunderkinds The Wachowsky Brothers, Andy and Larry, who incorporate sci-fi, Hong Kong martial arts (kudos to master ass-kicking maestro Woo-ping Yuen for the astounding choreography), Superman ethos mixed with every conceivable religious philosophies (Judeo/Christina, Zen Buddhism, Jedi) and comic book underpinnings to full high-octane effect. Best bits: Neo's fight with a phalanx of replicated Smiths and for my money the price of admission alone for the 15 minute freeway chase/fight extravaganza that has film vault written all over it. Hang on!!