wish i could free my mind...

Rating: Null/10 (4 July 2003)

if your idea of visual effects is seeing a movie with something that you cant see/do in real life, then 'Reloaded' is bound to reload your expectations. Do not try to believe the whole thing, if you try, you will be disappointed with some junctures of the storyline. This movie is a visual effects action feast. At the end of some action scenes, I (and most of the audience) just couldnt help letting out expletives to ensure the 'wow'ness of the effects.
'Matrix' introduced a new genre of sci-fi action that left most viewers stunned. Unbelievable superhuman stunts were made believable on screen by the way of their execution. "Reloaded" has MORE of that. But the impact of the newness is not as profound as in 'Matrix'. Though the stuff that Neo/Zionians do is expected, the scenes are excellently executed and choreographed. There's no point saying lots about the visual effects, you just have to see it, they are (expletive)-ing SPECTACULAR.
Though the effort of Wachowski brothers in turning the matrix storyline into epic proportions is laudable, it doesnt achieve the desired effect. 'Matrix' had a much stronger storyline, both from a philosophical and sci-fi point of view. 'Reloaded' exudes efforts to turn that stronger storyline into an 'epic'al nature by creating a stronghold of revolutionists, Zion, and a stronger enemy, the machines. Its more like 2 clans (sci-fi), one good, and one evil fighting for the right, aka 'star wars', 'blade', 'terminator', etc. In short, the storyline for 'Reloaded' doesnt make you think like 'Matrix' deal, its the same old deal of good vs. evil.
I havent heard the soundtrack, but the background score isn't anything new either. The symphonies are inserted into the right places to give the movie the 'epic/saga' nature. The 'Matrix' was totally different from what I had seen earlier. 'Reloaded', though has more in the visual effects department, does not have anything new in the other aspects of a movie.
All that said, this movie is visually something unprecendented. Action movie fans will just love it, Keanu performs well, his 'pair effect' with CarrieAnn is pretty charming. Fans from other genre's might like this movie less than they would've liked the Matrix. But it is well worth watching just for the visual effects.
8.5 out of 10 (101 out of 10 in visual effects)
p.s. watch out for the 'keymaker's chamber, would love to design a database for him :)