More rewarding on the second viewing

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2003)

When I first saw Matrix: Reloaded at the cinema in May I was a little disappointed - possibly because I had preconceived expectations which were not entirely met. Expecting to see a tight and fast-paced comicbook movie like its predecessor, I was faced with a more evolved cerebral beast. I walked out of the cinema not really knowing what I had just seen & not feeling much of an impact.
Matrix: Reloaded was released on DVD last week. The time between the cinema release and renting the DVD gave me some breathing space to discard preconceived ideas and re-evaluate the movie on its own merits, without so much hype & expectation colouring my impressions. What I found was a movie that was more rewarding to watch, and I was able to see the depth and effort that had been put into it. Previous scenes which I felt weakened the movie turned out to be strengths in some way - the organic rhythm of Zion's final party and the verbose ponderings on purpose, choice & causality add contrast & substance to what could have otherwise turned into yet another fluff sci-fi holiday flick.
Matrix: Reloaded certainly has its flaws, and I don't think it will join the ranks of the 'classics', but it stands up to repeated viewing. I believe it achieves what good movie should - make us think about it, ourselves & the world we live in.