Unforgivably bad - re-hash

Rating: 2/10 (30 May 2003)

The thing that I find utterly unforgivable about Matrix R - is not that it's bad. (It is btw - really really bad) It is that it managed to spoil the first Matrix for me - which I felt was a bit special. What we get in Reloaded is a chain of monstrous long action sequences with a load of incomprehensible techno-babble that tries to 'explain' the Matrix.
Of course the Matrix was best left 'unexplained'. All those possibilities that the first movie opens up to us - are slammed shut by this second effort. Suddenly we are encouraged to really think rationally about the whole thing - and unfortunately the Matrix as a concept doesnt bear close scrutiny.
Yes the action was impressive - well at least it was the first time around. After about a minute it just gets plain boring. I've never seen so blatant a case of 're-use' in a movie - with producers desperate to ring every last cent out of their investment in the first film. Hence we get the same fight mechanics - same baddies - same CGI with some sequences going on for ever (it seemed). BORING !!! RIP OFF!!!
I wish I'd never seen it, and so preserved untainted the memory of Matrix 1.