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Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2003)

The hype did survive. After watching the 2-hour long visual wonder from the Wachowskis one must admit that. Yes, the story was too wandering, loosely binding some solitary self-sufficient action sequences; the lead actors did not seem quite well; the screenplay is not as well as the first one -- everything is true. But what about the ultimate visual experience that the Brothers offered? What about the enormous set decoration? What about the dazzling background music and soundtrack? And lastly, what about the never-seen-before adrenaline-soaked non-stop action? Tell me, how can you deny them?
The film opens abruptly, ends abruptly, clearly pointing out that it's just a second movie of a trilogy. The much-hyped Zion makes its screen debut here finally and extremely well designed... the cave especially, where a drop-dead dance scene is shot with some fine piece of world music. The sex scene between Neo and Trinity was interesting to watch. There he, soft and fragile like a girl, and she, hard and strong like a guy, did make an unusual couple. I wish there was no romantic interest between them, because it looked so odd. The fight scene between Neo and numerous Agent Smiths was magnificient. Hugo Weaving reprised his much famous role, though without consequence, but brilliantly. The sequence was so well shot and Keanu Reeves was looking so beautiful with that long suit that sometimes it seemed Neo is directing some orchestra, the Smiths being the players. It's naturally one of the top three attractions of the movie. As the second comes the motorcycle run by Trinity with the keymaker. I stared holding my breathe, open-mouthed, when she started in the opposite direction.
As I said earlier, performance of the lead actors could not impress me. This time Keanu Reeves looked too mechanical, like a robot with a sunglass. But maybe it's not his fault. The role was that... playing god, virtually. Carrie Anne-Moss... probably the most unattractive heroine treated so lovingly by an attractive hero, was quite plain. Fishburne looked good during the speech, but otherwise unimpressive. The new casts were rather good. Along with Niobe, the Twins, the Councillor, it's totally thumbs up for Persephone. According to my thinking, Monica Bellucci, though in her short role, is the third most attractive feature of the film. Her appearence, as well as delivery of speech, is truly wonderful. I hope she will get a bigger role in Revolutions.
The story is rather complex, or in fact, there could be no story at all. The very concept of the keymaker is just to introduce two super action sequences I believe. In that sense Reloaded is just a trailer for the Revolutions. But it's sheer entertainment, there's no question about that. 8/10