Incredible, Overwhelming, confusing, and most importantly, never disappointing...

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2003)

Just when you thought you'd seen it all, there arrives The Matrix Reloaded. So much had the first movie touched, so much had the first movie delved into, and all the while it kept you fascinated to quiver in anticipation for a sequel. So the Wachowski brothers announced two sequels, not one. Then you thought, hmm, another trilogy eh? They sure are confident, I hope they know what they are doing. Well, I have news for you. They presupposed and firmly believed what would unfold four years later would impact the lives of millions. They found themselves amidst a movie so hyped it made you think it was more than just a movie, forced to deliver a revolutionary and refreshing sequel(s) to appease those enthralled by the original. To live up to that can be unbelievably challenging (think of what happened to Men in Black 2). And they succeeded.
Wondering why they delayed the first sequel only to throw the final of the trilogy only months afterwards? Seemed a bit presuming didn't it? Maybe a little curious? Well, wonder no more. They knew that after seeing the second movie, no one would be able to bear any longer than a few months for a conclusion. So expect The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (coming in November) to be more of a two-part sequel, which is infinitely satisfying for two reasons. First, if you are like me, the original will forever stand out as the groundbreaker, much like the original Godfather or the original Star Wars. To compare the original to the sequels is just unfair and degrading both to the film itself and the impact it had upon society. The original will always be the best one, there is no argument about it (you'll find this holds true in the IMDB top 250, the original Godfather, Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc all reign above the sequels). I prefer to think of it as a childbirth. The parents are the original and the baby is the sequel(s); without the parents, the sequels are nonexistent, and even though the baby sometimes outdoes the parents, the parents will always stand out as the source of the greatness. The original made the trilogy a reality. It introduced this entirely fictional plotline to you (yes, even the Godfather was entirely fictional, although there are many that suspect Mario Puzo had real-life Mafia ties..) and made you believe it, hell, it made you awestruck by its sheer brilliance. There are so many layers: the acting, the casting, the roles, the logic, the personalities and races represented (many for such a small core), the philosophy (so true and believable, yet exploratory), the action (best action and martial arts ever seen? Quite possibly), the list goes on and on. It's hard to fixate on what exactly made the movie, and it is for this very reason that it is so excellent. The movie will overwhelm you, so long as you are ready and willing to be overwhelmed. Some will disagree and those that do simply do not have the openness to be affected by this movie. But, for those that are antsy for something to compel and fascinate, this film is what you are looking for. For those that are in need of a refreshing movie, one that prevails against the common trivialities of life itself, one that conquers the human emotion such as to hold it in its hand, one that inspires and teaches but doesn't harass or intimidate, one that does, well, just about everything in one except disappoint, then the movie you are looking for is The Matrix Reloaded.
Second, (yes, this is still the 'two reasons' continued...) this movie introduces a new way of storytelling; the original, which was not created with two sequels in mind, was made to infest itself in the minds of those who watched it. The sequels collectively then work to form new movies and inexorably a trilogy, but they work together to coalesce the three into one, while maintaining the stand-alone feel to the original and the 'new and improved' feel to the last two. More specifically, (you'll notice I have talked nothing of the plot or actual events in the movie, only the lasting appeal and general impact it had upon me. Take notice other critics, and stop ruining the movie for those who haven't seen it) The Matrix Reloaded ends in such a way that The Matrix Revolutions necessarily will start right away with no introduction whatsoever. Therefore, the sequels are moreso just one movie that was split into two to convenience viewers who don't have time to watch a four to five hour movie. Beyond that, this was done with careful precision, and with good insight which prevented the movie from completely inundating the spectator with drama, emotion, storyline, and well, movie. They only set the third movie to be released six months later, so you won't be left hanging for too long. The worst part of The Matrix Reloaded is the wait for the sequel, so you have to thank them for doing what they could to attenuate the inherent problem with a trilogy--the second movie.

However, I feel that although I have gone through the two-part sequel concept a lot already, I can't convey its significance with only what I have said so far, so permit me to continue. This movie is remarkable in that it is taking a huge leap of faith by doing what no other successful movie has done, treat its sequels in a way that I can only describe as inseparably bounded. I may be wrong but I see significance in the way the sequels are being released; one just six months later seems a bit hasty, but only because I've never seen it before. It takes a first to make a second, so if this succeeds (I don't see how it will fail), this might mark the onset of a new moviemaking method for trilogies-connecting the two sequels to each other as a purposefully split sequel, released as two only months apart to create the kind of cliffhanging affect that soap operas or tv shows have on the viewer. Believe me, this is no Back to the Future "To Be Continued" type of connection, this is one such that the second movie leaves you with the gut feeling that the third is a continuation of the second, not another sequel of the first that just happens to have enough of the nostalgia to be successful without becoming tiresome. This movie spurs a psychological attachment yielding desire, pure and raw. I want nothing more than to see the conclusion of this trilogy. If I had to pass over 100 movies to see it I would in a second flat, and not because the film is so indescribably masterful, but because the ending gently and raptly swept me into the path of the next movie, which I know is coming in a short time. There is no conclusion because there doesn't have to be one, I know the movie is coming and I know when. And I know now that it will be as astounding as the first two and more. Keep this in mind when you watch the movie, over and over again. Maybe I'll see you in the theatres, smiling.