A Subtle Disappointment

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2003)

I saw The Matrix Reloaded and I must say for a sequel, that it was disappointing. Not only does the second film of the trilogy leave you hanging on the edge of your seat with the famous `To be Concluded' the script was horribly written.
I must admit, Reloaded has awesome effects, far superb than the first Matrix. However, it lacks that awe and sense of wonder as the movie progresses. Neo (Keanu Reeves) has practically less than 10 linesThe script and plot are the downfall to the movie. Not only that, but every fighting scene leaves the audience thinking: `been there, done that' The movie is not boring, but it does lag, especially at every dialog between characters. The fighting scenes between Agent Smith(s) and Neo was amazing, the car chase on the freeway was interesting, but not compelling. Neo's powers as `The One' get more exuberant and elaborate every time he uses him. His flying ability is overused and by the last time he uses it you just breathe a sigh of relief. Through out the movie, the every little twist that happens in the plot that proves that Neo is the One is overwhelming and overused. Every impossible situation is always solved by Neo.
Matrix Reloaded lacks the certain charm and amazement that viewers encountered while watching The Matrix. Due to the elaborate fighting scenes which were compelling in the first movie, the second basically redoes the same thing, this time with out guns (remember Neo dodging the bullets, well in the second movie nothing like that every happens, its just all hand to hand combat). The movie's action scenes make up for the dull script, especially when viewers encounter the lines of ` cause and effect'and scenes are extremely choppy.
Matrix Reloaded can not be compared to any other movies that are coming out this year or have already come out. The Matrix Trilogy are a legend in their own kind, a phenomenon, and perhaps the reason viewers can be agitated by the second movie is due to the dull script, Matrix 1 makes up for it I can't advise not seeing this movie, because if you don't you will miss a loton the other hand, I'm irritated by the plot and the dialog that I want to say: Skip it. But alas, I shall say `watch it' just because you might be `wowed' byt the action scenes, and if you have seen the first Matrix, you don't want to miss out on any part. X-Men 2 is probably a better movie, because of the plot and actors. But you can't compare X2 to Matrix 2 because Matrix is given a lot of leeway which allows it to do have mind boggling fight scenes because the encounters are always in the Matrix. Where as X2, you don't fight in a computer or machine, but hand to hand combat (vicious in Wolverine's case) Again, X2 is not necessarily the better movie (but is in my opinion it is compared to the Matrix 2) but it is the better sequel. By that I mean that it is better than its predecessor is. Matrix Reloaded was a disappointment, its was definitely overhyped and lacked plot.
All in all, I give Matrix Reloaded a B+, an 8 out of 10, and 3.5 stars out of ***** Hopefully, Matrix Revolutions which comes out in November 5, will fare better both in plot and in action. Oh yeah, remember WB decided to do what it did for Harry Potter, there will be a preview of Matrix Revolutions after the credits so stay after to view it