"We are all victims of causality."

Rating: 9/10 (6 August 2011)

Operating in the mythos and universe that the first film laid out, this sequel ramps up the action and special effects to an epic degree. Some of its highlights include a massive 1-vs-100 man fight and a fantastic 20-minute highway chase (which is still my favorite car chase scene of them all). There are loads of other fights, pursuits, and encounters scattered throughout. There's some drag just in the first hour or so, and some parts become so outlandish or campy that they won't sit well with some viewers (chief among them being the underground rave, which never really bothered me, but it is a little frivolous).
Despite these embellishments, the storytelling still doesn't really suffer much. If anything, it's become much more complicated, as the mythos is expanded, new characters and concepts are introduced, and more philosophy is explored. One integral scene toward the end is intended to place the entire saga in its proper context, but it is encumbered by one too many big words in too short a time. All of this makes the initial viewing rather confusing. It's even more stressed with a big cast of minor characters, whose importance are revealed more in the "Animatrix" and the "Enter the Matrix" video game. But if you stick with it, give it some thought, and pay close attention, it is rather sublime. Characters are as strong as they were in the first film, and there is a whole world of great new ideas that are brought up.
The film is quite slick, with quality photography and editing. Acting is as strong as the first film, with the talents of Keanu Reeves (at his most monotone), Lawrence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss, Hugo Weaving, Harold Perrineau, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Monica Bellucci thoroughly dispensed here. Writing is quite strong. Production value is high, featuring plenty of quality sets, props, costumes, and elaborate special effects. Music is pretty good.
If you've enjoyed the "Matrix" at all, or if you are a die-hard fan, then this film is recommended. But for casual viewers, I can only recommend it as a rental, if you are at all interested.
4.5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 4/5, film: 4.5/5)