Unsatisfying

Rating: 6/10 (16 May 2003)

Technically dazzling sequel is about half as much fun as the original even though it looks to have twice the budget. The effects and production values are first rate--Matrix Reloaded shows what can be done if you have a seemingly unlimited budget and the best special effects and martial arts people at your disposal--but I left this one feeling less than satisfied, to say the least, and based upon the boos and catcalls in the theater where I saw the film at an opening day matinee, I can safely say that I wasn't alone. Matrix Reloaded gets off to a very slow start in its scenes in Zion, recalling the worst snoozefest elements of George Lucas' recent Star Wars films (does anyone but the most obsessive fanboy give a crap about politics in Zion?) Film begins to right itself once the cast finally leaves Zion and goes back into the Matrix. While several of the set pieces are impressive, including an imaginatively staged fight between Neo and dozens of Agent Smiths and an intricately choreographed car chase, none of the scenes are truly exciting in the visceral sense where they get your heart pumping and you actually get caught up in what's happening. Reaction is more detached--like cool, wonder how they did that? Presumably some of the characters will have bigger parts in the next film--Hugo Weaving's Agent Smith has little to do but replicate himself and engage in martial arts fights with Neo--the audience is given no real clue as to what it is he is actually trying to accomplish; and as for Monica Bellucci's character, if I hadn't read several articles about the film I would have no idea at all what the point of her scene kissing Neo was. While magazines have played up her character as being a dangerous villain and someone who cannot be lied to because of her powers, there's nothing much to suggest anything like that in this film. I guess we have to wait for the next one--which is another problem. While Peter Jackson found dramatically satisfying places in the narrative to end each of his Lord of the Rings films Matrix Reloaded seems to end where it does because they reached the middle in terms of running time--it's like they had a four and a half hour movie and just split it in two. There were no boos coming from the disappointed audience at the end of the Rings movies, but many people at the theater where I saw Reloaded were positively hostile. Maybe seeing the next movie will make Reloaded seem more worthwhile, but as it is this one was a bit of a disappointment.