Whoa!

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2003)

Ok, just like with "Phantom Menace," there was really no way this movie is/was going to live up to the hype. I have to admit that I walked out feeling a little let down. WHICH ISN'T TO SAY THAT THE MOVIE DIDN'T BLOW MY MIND!!!! All the talk about the FX has been fully justified, in my humble opinion. The 100 Smiths fight scene, and the car/truck/bike/flying Neo chase scene are absolutely spellbinding--you just TRY driving the speed limit on your way home after that chase scene..... SPOILER! What got me thinking (and ultimately scrambled my brain) is the philosophy behind it all. When Neo meets The Architect, I had to fight hard to keep up with all the implications. Hey, I made an A- in my Philosophy 101 class in college not so long ago, and I STILL had to say silently to myself "huh?" partway through that whole scene. After Neo makes his choice (and you knew which one it would be), the truth of The Architect's statement that Hope is humanity's greatest strength and greatest weakness rings true. What happens next can only be answered when the 3rd instalment comes out. Don't even try predicting anything, because if this movie tells you anything, it's to expect the unexpected. As a devout Christian, the spiritual aspects of this movie are incredible. If you thought the original movie had theological implications, get a load of this one. The reluctant Christ-like figure of Neo in the first movie is now becoming one who is beginning to fully grasp his power, and most importantly, his meaning in his world. All in all, great visual candy, and a LOT of food for thought. What is real? Is reality what we're programmed to believe? And even when we think we know what is real, is THAT even real? Who knows? Can't wait for the final movie!