A 118 Minute Movie That Checks In At 138

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2003)

Here is a film that screams for tight editing. Perhaps the third film will ultimately show that the Zion scenes were justified. They appear to be introducing characters that may play a larger plot role in Revolutions.
So, will the annoying kid have some key role in the third? Obviously Cain will be important. Will Niobe heal Morpheus and his shattered beliefs? Will Commander Lock be redeemed? Will Counselor Hamaan play a key role in negotiating peace with the machines?
If yes (or, given the Wachowski Brothers, more surprising plot twists), the scenes in Zion may make sense. If no, then they are what they appear to be standing on their own, wasteful and self absorbed. Regardless, we didn't need a love scene that has no heart to understand that Neo and Trinty's relationship has moved on. Within this scene we didn't need the interruption at the elevator. We already knew of Neo's Messiah status within Zion. The Morpheus speech, tribal dance scene was embarrassing.
Wouldn't the plot have moved along just fine if the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar had learned of Zion's plight via videophone communications with Zion? In The Matrix we saw the world through the eyes of the Nebuchadnezzar's crew. Knowing Zion existed was enough. Wouldn't this have tightened the plot and kept the suspense tight. The movie actually starts when the message from the Oracle is received.
So, the flow is:

Dream Sequence - Neo wakes up in bed with Trinity (gee, their relationship seems to have evolved) - Join Morpheus on the bridge and monitor a communication from Zion about their plight - Message received from the Oracle.

Additional edits:
Cut the length of the Burly Brawl by 3/4. It looks fake anyway. The fight with Ghost is reminiscent of but a pale echo of the Morpheus/Neo encounter in The Matrix. It is unnecessary and wastes time.

A far better film. Unless all this stuff really is setup for Revolutions. I'm willing to give the Bros. the benefit of the doubt although nothing in the trailer shows it's true.