Generally great things to say, surpasses many movies before it

Rating: 9/10 (30 May 2003)

One problem that has become apparent with the Matrix series is over-hyping, expecting it to be tons better than the original Matrix movie.
In my opinion, unlike many people, I knew the original was solid enough to hold its own even up against Reloaded. This time round, the plot is much more involved and is not for people who are only looking for straight out fighting or continuous gun battles. Some will not enjoy it as much as the original because Reloaded takes a different approach to the first. Because people know what the Matrix is, this one doesnt hold any big secrets like the first one did. However, this sequel is vital if you want to know exactly what's goin on with the origin of the Matrix, the oracle, the One and so forth.
*From this point on, will be Minor Spoilers Below*
It does require depth of thinking, notably on the scene with the architect who created the matrix, as many people have already complained about this being too complex and philosophical. This is what separates Matrix fans who have an open mind, to the fans who prefer the action side. The love scene between Trin and Neo was not really to my taste and seemed like an unwanted break from the rest of the story, but I feel this was an indication that Neo and Trin really do love each other, that is what Larry and Andy aimed to convey along with the (again philosophical) views of Morpheus, on Neo ending the war. So more story in-depth is a plus for some people, but not all people - it is a matter of taste.
I feel comedy has made its way into the matrix. It seems now that Smith is no longer an Agent, since his last encounter with Neo he has become less serious. Although I personally think the "Burly Brawl" with Neo against 100+ Smiths should have been left to the very near end of the film, it was the best fight I've EVER seen in a long, long time, and much like Smith, the fight also had some subtle comedy included, wether this was deliberate I do not know, but works well. Smith (Hugo Weaving) takes this opportunity to spill a few cracking one-liners, and these I know were intended to be comedic, Mr Weaving/Smith is my favourite actor in Reloaded (because Neo has become too straight faced now he's the one, and Morpheus would be my second favourite actor, but still too philosophical, great work on the fight atop the vehicle during chase though). On the subject of the chase, it is a must see in the film, havent seen anything like it before.
Zion seems to have lost its image due to this movie, and some may be left questioning why it should be saved if it is a mere refuge riddled with sub-par lifestyle, but there is no other place left, and I think the idea gets across that the machines were repressive enough to stop great luxury in the real world, so people of Zion have had to live with these conditions in the hope that the war would end someday (this would explain why Cypher from the 1st movie wanted to go back to the Matrix, because real life pretty much sucked) and Zion is the best place you can get in the real world even if it is far from perfect.
This sequel is not as well paced-out as the previous film, with a fairly long wait before the action really starts to kick in, but when it does, it is unbelievable. many may say the original cannot be beat, and I would have to agree, but I say that the original was overall better balanced, while it cannot compete wth the amazing fight and chase scenes of this sequel. While the story depth can stray from the action, it provides more insight so its both a good and a bad thing. That "trick" of displaying all of Neos possible choices on the monitors in the Architect confrontation is quite clever, this shows how the Wachowskis have such detailed and interesting vision.
I say that Reloaded isnt better than the original, but at the same time it isnt worse, and a word of advice: You have to see the original before you watch the sequel, otherwise you'll be thrown in too deep and won't understand the goings on. So, provided youve seen Matrix 1, if youre looking to see something at the cinema it should definitely be Matrix Reloaded. If you were to compare it to any other film outside of the Matrix series, there would be no contest. Reloaded, like its predecessor, is another truly outstanding movie from the Wachowski's.