Little good to say of this

Rating: 3/10 (13 January 2004)

With few redeeming factors I would not feel guilty asking for a refund. Where the original was consistent and thought provoking this movie was had me thinking "What the hell are you trying to say?" or had me not thinking at all.
The original had a good concept, that our lives are a lie, and made good use of special effects but was not dependent on them as the story had a solid narrative. And even though it was a little complicated at first, it was soon understandable what was going on in that universe. This movie went from one extreme to the other; if there was not a whole lot of complicated and unnecessary jibberish then there was just a whole lot of beat em up action. Much of the jibberish spoken I found incomprehensible. At some point in the mumbo-jumbo the speakers said an understandable sentence or two which got the point through and summed up all they needed to say in nutshell, but after they said it they continued on.
Too much emphasis had been placed on the special effects in this one. More than necessary. Too many special effects and they're nothing. Each fight scene went for so long it was dull. Special effects are supposed to help the story along not be a substitute for it, and they are no substitute anyway for a descent, solid, consistent, original and entertaining narrative. They weren't that good anyway.
And as for that rave party, that was just plain rediciulous. With all the lousy music and lousy dancing, they might as well have had flashing lights going and a bar while they were at it. They should have left it out. That speech on the rock was just pretentious.
The pattern of the movie; fight, jibberish, fight, jibberish etc. Incomprehensible dialogue, high pumped special effects driven fight scenes and a weak story line were what this effort consisted of.
Not an enjoyable experience.