The Matrix Has You...

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2003)

I got to see the Matrix Reloaded on Saturday. I will discuss this the best I can without spoiling anything. Let me start with the basics.
I thought the sound, cinematography, and CG effects were outstanding. Note: I hated the visual effects in Spiderman. This was much better.
I also found the plot to be very good. I loved the twist realization Neo made at the end of the film.
The script I felt was adequate. The scenes were done in traditional fashion  Some action, some romance, etc. I feel that the directors could have gone more out on a limb and made a truly dark twisting introspective film, but they chose to make an action movie.
I felt the acting was moderate. You could make an argument that there isn't much to the characters, but I feel that Keanu Reeves could have performed the emotional torment Neo is going through with how many treat him as being the One much better than what he did. He should remember what it felt like to have his puppy dog run over by a car when he was a kid and shed some real tears on screen. I felt that Carrie-Anne Moss brought some real emotional content to Trinity. Again, I am impressed with her a second time. Morpheus' speech at the temple was done really well. Good job Laurence Fishburne. Its the only ACTING they let you actually do in these films, and it was awesome. I think by far though, the best performance in the film was Lambert Wilson as the Merovingian. Just outstanding.
I have two things to say about the script that might contradict each other. First I would like to say that I liked how the movie didn't hold your hand from scene to scene trying to explain everything. You had to really pay attention to understand who was who and what was going on, and yes, it all did make scene. I do dislike though that they put so much emphasis on their mumbo-jumbo philosophy. This movie should not, in any way, be looked at as a great work of philosophy. Most everything was cut and pasted from real intellectually accepted philosophers. I feel that anyone who walks around and says, `Oh yeah man, Matrix Reloaded is so awesome. Its such a philosophical movie,' is just really impressed with big confusing words.
Overall, I was thoroughly entertained by the film, loved the ending, really want to see the next one, and would some day own a box set of the three films. What more can I say about it.
Patrick