Beautifully done....but empty

Rating: 6/10 (23 May 2003)

I have to agree with other user comments that the Matrix Reloaded, while beautiful, is not exactly a clear movie. For all the philosophical conversations breaking down this 'world' and explaining all, there are some particulars that are not fully explained. I don't understand the limitations of Neo's powers inside the matrix. He can fly at superspeeds...so why doesn't he just teleport to where he needs to go? If he can stop bullets, why doesn't he just magically pull in a sword or gun from down the street for instance to help in his fight against the relentless Smith(s)?
Also, since these characters have super powers, any acrobatic stunt they perform seems so unimpressive...the fight on the freeway, while VERY well done, didn't have the same type of drama a scene like that usually draws because we cannot relate to people with such power, the world around them has almost no effect. So it comes across as boring...because being on top of a high speed truck is like nothing to them. The fight scenes seem plain and redone, like I've seen this kung fu or what have you someplace else (but done with less charisma than by someone like Chan or Li).
I just found myself not getting into the world of the Matrix, I found myself getting more involved in X2 since you can relate to the characters. Even though those characters all have powers, they have weaknesses and still follow understandable laws of physics.
Plus the philosophy of "we hate machines...but we need machines....machines hate us....but they need us" isn't deep at all, its just circular reasoning...that leads nowhere...how boring. For the special effects and scene choreography alone: ** (out of 4)