Excellent

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 2003)

I loved this movie more than anything else I've seen in the theater any time recently. Maybe that's because I was NOT an automatic huge fan of the first movie - I actually wasn't sure if I liked or hated the first one as I walked out of the theater. But in time it grew on me. However, I was still excited to see this one because I wanted to see what they would do with the plot. I think many reviews here forget that it's not 100% about CGI or fight scenes - the whole point of the movie is the plot.
*spoilers spoilers spoilers spoilers*
There was some definite symbolism made even more obvious in Reloaded. There was also a huge, huge element - even more so than in the original - about fate and choice, what are they, is life just one or the other, how do we know, etc. All of that is certainly applicable to regular life. Also, to the contrary of those who thought that Reloaded was more confusing than the original, what about the fact that some questions were answered? Such as how the Oracle knows what she knows?
As far as the fight scenes, yes, the many Agent Smiths scene went on way too long. It should have been half the length. But of the reviews I've read, almost no one mentioned the highway fight scene - that was very cool. One part I thought was a bit gratuitous was the cake orgasm portrayal - I know what they were getting at, but it was a little crassly done.
As far as Zion being dirty etc., what did you expect? If you were forced to live underground always supported by huge, dumb machines, would you be clean? I don't think so. And almost no one mentioned the dance/sex scene, which I really liked. Without it, you don't see any vibrance of Zion, nor the strength of the connection between Neo and Trinity.
For everyone who has trashed the movie: what were you expecting? To be wowed to the same degree as when you first saw the first Matrix? Realize that isn't possible. It's only every so often that a movie can come out and truly break boundaries technically. In my opinion, the last one before the Matrix (and Croching Tiger Hidden Dragon to some degree) was the original Star Wars. Did you expect to be spoon fed the plot? That certainly wasn't going to happen. I found Reloaded to be much less confusing than the first movie was, and much more worth it.
I am very anxiously awaiting the last installment. My questions for the next one: what will happen with Morpheus now that his beliefs have been taken from him? What form will the battle for Zion take? What is the fate of the human race? Will any more questions or answers about fate/choice/etc. be put out there? Why was the guy in the coma at the end, what got overwritten etc., and how will that figure into the wrapping up of things? I suppose we'll have to wait and see, since the Wachowskis certainly won't give up much in the way of info before then.
For those of you who didn't like it: consider seeing it again, and concentrate on the plot and the themes which connect to "real life". This is the hallmark of good sci-fi.