The Matrix Still Has You

Rating: 7/10 (21 June 2003)

The Matrix was a landmark achievement that raised the bar for science fiction films for years to come. The first of its two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded, had huge expectations to live up to, but is everything its predecessor was and more: more visually stunning, more intense, more confusing. After learning that Zion, the last human city on Earth, is on the brink of destruction, Neo (Keanu Reeves) and his cohorts, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), dive back into the Matrix searching for a way to save humanity. The story is initially very confusing (and may take multiple viewings to fully comprehend), but is ultimately very deep and satisfying, despite its cliffhanger ending. Reloaded's biggest asset, however, is the special effects that highlight its action sequences, which are absolutely sensational. While sometimes longwinded, The Matrix Reloaded is a spectacular ride that no fan of the original should miss. There's a reason why the Matrix universe has become so popular: it's just plain awesome.
9 out of 10