A step forward for sci-fi, but some weakness in the story telling

Rating: Null/10 (9 June 2003)

In terms of visual and stylistic creativity and the sheer scale of the scenes, the 'matrix reloaded' has gone a lot further than any sci-fi film before it. The visuals are artistically and creatively stunning.
Also this matrix film does what any sci-fi trilogy film should do: it creates a rich and complex alternative world for us to believe in. The world of the matrix isn't just interesting in terms of gadgets, personalities or possibilities; it plays with a set of meaty coherent ideas about what would happen in society of machines and leaves you with lots of basic philosophy to chew on.
A final plus is of course the martial arts, which have no other hollywood film (with the possible exception of charlies angels) have done nearly so well.
Unfortunately the matrix reloaded also has it's problems. The main protagonist, Neo (Kean Reaves) come over as a fairly two dimensional character - he looks great, fights beautifully - but doesn't manage to squeeze much depth of character in between the set pieces. The same can be said for the rest of 'goodies', except for link (Harold Perrineau Jr.) who actually comes across as a really 3D human.