Better than the first.

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2003)

This movie had it all: plot, story, special effects, and humanity. It begins innocently enough with a dream, but becomes more when it is discovered that the machines are heading for Zion. The first movie was well done, being way ahead of it's time, but it lacked the good story to make it perfect. This movie goes many steps farther. The story is unique,but still the same as the first: Neo must stop the machines. The plot is still pretty mush the same, as are the special effects, with the exception of the highway chase. To put it mildly, somebody would say that this was an okay movie. It was better than that. This movie had depth. The Wachowski brothers knew people wanted more of what the matrix is, and they go so deep as to explain it as a reality, a construct, as a program, and as a living being that is nothing more than an enemy that must be destroyed. You are given a history of the matrix, as well as a history of the programming, and of the programs. The real world scenes are just as amazing. Finally, after long wait, we get to see Zion, the last city of the humans. Better still, there are many more establishing shots of the hoverships in the real world, allowing us to see what has happened. All in all, the movie was just as unique as the first, and just as mind-blowing. If anything, pay attention to the freeway scene. The multiple Smith's are also a nice touch, but the fight is slightly overdone. Don't mind the occasional cheesy dialogue, either. This movie is well worth the price of admission.