Effects good, but characters bland

Rating: 6/10 (28 May 2003)

This much anticipated sequel is somewhat of a disapointment. Weighted down with endlessly dull speechifying and political debate in the first half and overly choreographed fight scenes in the second. While many of the effects are impressive (that freeway chase is pretty cool) they lack a sense of danger since Keanu's character is now an impervious superman. The human element is also absent as the characters are all so bland that they lack any human emotion, there is zero chemistry between Keanu and Carrie Ann Moss.. a real detriment to the story.. Hopefully the concluding chapter in the winter will be more involving... Still it gets a decent grade due to impressive technical efforts and Hugo Weaving's entertaining work as Smith.. GRADE: B