That's it?!

Rating: Null/10 (3 June 2003)

Let me preface this by saying that I rarely pay attention to any movie news or Hollywood gossip. I was a huge fan of the first Matrix film and was in line for the very first screening of Matrix Reloaded at my local theater.
Okay, I'm not sure if this should warrant a spoiler warning, but part of my disappointment of the film is with regards to the ending, so be forewarned.
As I sat in the theater, I'm not going to lie. I was entertained. The film was a bit laughable at some points and I found many places where I was able to comfortably get up for a popcorn refill, but for the most part, I enjoyed the experience.
Remember the freeze-frame and pan sequences of the first Matrix film? Well, this time I guess they wanted to get their money's worth from the freeze-frame machine cause they used it just about any time someone or something would leave the ground for whatever reason. Neo does a flying karate kick, freeze-frame and pan. A car blows up into the air, freeze-frame and pan. Someone shoots a bullet at someone else, freeze-frame and pan. Morpheus drops his wallet, freeze-frame and pan. Good news is, there were plenty of those popcorn and drink refill breaks. I saw Trinity begin a flying kick, I knew I had a good 45 seconds for a quick bathroom break before she would land again and I wouldn't miss any important dialog.
Probably the most disappointing part of the film, and here's that spoiler portion, is the ending. The show just stops. There is absolutely no climax or resolution of any kind, it just ends. As if they just had a very long sequence before the opening credits. I was almost sure there had to be more at the end of the credits. At least with movies like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars they conclude a story-line but leave the saga open ended. You gotta give some conclusion, that's why I paid my 8.50. Really what I got was a $17 movie in two parts. Kind of a cheap shot, I thought.
Anyways, for what it's worth, I would suggest waiting for the second half of this movie to be released. Maybe catch it on DVD just before going to see the next installment. That is, as long as it's not a $25 movie cut into three parts. The Matrix, Regurgitated? I give it a six.