The Wachowskis lost focus, and the sequel really suffers for it.

Rating: 4/10 (5 May 2014)

There's one scene in particular that's emblematic of my disappointment in "The Matrix Reloaded": The Burly Brawl (or 100 Smiths Fight, whatever you want to call it). Neo's just made the big discovery, he's going out to start his new quest - oh but wait, we'll just put the movie on hold for this seven minute exercise in motion sickness. Nothing even comes of the fight; Neo flees.
It's that brand of special-effects-trumping-story that really derails this movie. There are new ideas and bigger themes, sure, but they're drowned out by poor pacing and talking scenes. Things grind to a halt for a rave scene, Neo has to talk to the Oracle, then the Merovingian, then Colonel Sanders, and you just want things to get moving again. The first movie had its share of exposition, but it served to shed light on the mystery on this strange world we've just been thrown into. "Reloaded" really shines during the action scenes, but it's unfortunately one of those movies that really lends itself to the Chapter Skip feature on your DVD player.
4/10