See it twice

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2003)

The first time I saw Reloaded, I found that I was comparing it to the first Matrix movie.
Well there IS no good way to compare the two movies, and that's what I think people need to realize.
The first Matrix shattered all sorts of previous ideas of how movies were made. The special effects were like nothing we had ever seen and those special effects have been copied over and over ever since (check out the previews for "Jason vs. Freddie" if you don't believe me!).
Reloaded does a good job of shoring up elements that were just touched on in the first movie. We get to see the much talked about Zion. We see more on Trinity and Neo's progressed relationship. We see Neo's vulnerabilities. He may have these incredible powers in the Matrix, but he's still just a man. He's obviously uncomfortable with the power he has been given and he obviously is unsure how to use it. Keanu Reeves does a great job with this, and the W brothers did a fantastic job of writing dialogue that is custom feet for Reeves.
I think the Zion dance scene is hot without being trashy. I like the fact that people in Zion are darker--this small detail shows that the W brothers know what they are doing, ethnicity wise.
I also like the fact that the main characters are interesting looking with character, weariness, and aging showing in their faces. These are characters that have lived through an enormous amount of pain and suffering. What are they SUPPOSED to look like?
I have ONE small comment about the fight scenes. There ARE a couple of times when it seems like there is a contrived reasoning for a fight. I don't fault the W brothers as much as I fault the audiences with their limited capacity for drama. I suspect that the Ws probably put those scenes in to please the audience, rather than because they were completely necessary. No matter though because the fight scenes in Reloaded are beautifully choreographed. Enjoy them.
A 10 of a film!! Go see it TWICE. And stay through to the end of the credits.