A worthy sequel

Rating: 8/10 (27 October 2004)

OK, let me first say that the first "Matrix" film is a crowning achievement. It stands on its own, and can appeal to most mainstream audiences. Most anyone can understand the plot.
With Reloaded, however, people didn't really understand it. But they figured, "Hey, there's a third one coming out, so it'll all become clear when I see that one." So because of this thinking, most peoples' first impression of Reloaded wasn't negative. And first impressions usually stick. They just brushed off all of the convoluted plot and enjoyed it for what it is, expecting the third one to offer clearer explanations. And so because Revolutions didn't offer any clear answers, Reloaded is looked at as the better of the two sequels by most people.
I think that's a pretty unfair observation myself. Both films are equally convoluted in my opinion. But the third in a trilogy is usually meant to give closure, and for many it did not succeed. Reloaded did not have that obligation, thus it's looked at in a better light than Revolutions is.
But I find that the answers ARE in Revolutions, however vague they are. If one understands what Revolutions was really all about, then people should at least see both sequels in an equal light. They'll not only like Revolutions, but they'll also enjoy Reloaded even more than before - now that they actually get what's going on.
My personal opinion is that Reloaded is the weakest of the trilogy. I think it's good, but because of that 5 minute party/orgy/sex scene that totally stopped the movie in its tracks, and too much dialogue at times, I rate it lower than the rest. And I liked the action in Revolutions much better (although the highway chase and the Neo/Smith burly brawl in Reloaded are definitely cool). "The Matrix" is a 10, "The Matrix Reloaded" is an 8, and "The Matrix Revolutions" is a 9.
For further info on the plot of the trilogy, check out www.thematrix101.com . I found it to be really good at helping me understand the films more, since I was also someone who found them too convoluted at first. Once the plots became clear, I came to really love these films. I hope that you'll do the same, because there's a lot more there besides kung fu fights and war scenes. I think you'll find that the Wachowski brothers didn't sacrifice substance for style after all.