Reloaded and rehearsed; my request: bring on the Revolution

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2003)

This film has been in the spotlight for quite some time now and so has it's follow-up The Matrix Revolution (which is due out in November sometime). The reason for that is quite simple, namely that these films are the follow-ups to one of the most refreshing, visually innovative and exciting films of the last 5 years: THE MATRIX. Now a lot has happened since The Matrix was released in 1999 and I can assure you that you won't awe like you've awed when you saw The Matrix for the first time, but I'll assure you, you'll be impressed.

Now there is not much of a story here, in that I agree with some other people that have posted comments before me, but instead of some people that did I say: there was enough. While watching the film, I felt that everything that was explained to me concerning the story was pretty much logical, given the events in the original movie. That means that you need to have seen the original to comprehend this film even remotely. This is not some Bad Boys II or Lara Croft II: The Cradle Of Life like film you can just tune into without knowing the full history. It is complicated and at times it is barely comprehensible for those of us who have watched The Matrix. With this I'm referring to some conversation near the end of the film, which were so filled with information that I'll be in need to watch it a couple of times more and rest assured, it won't be something I mind.

Regarding the film itself, I found that there is very little to say without spoiling the experience but I'll try and give as my positive as well as my negative criticism in a constructive way, so I do not offend anybody in the slightest way. First of all, I have to congratulate the Wachowski brothers (Andy and Larry for you that do not know) on making this film as visually stunning as the first, without repeating themselves and with adding still new tricks that blew me away and not only that, almost throughout the film the effects were amazingly incredible. There is however one small negative critique I have to give here, for in the fighting sequence on the truck between Morpheus and one of the Agents I was a bit disappointed by the effects. Now I am not sure whether they were out of money of whether this kind of technique isn't available yet, but I felt that for a short moment that sequence wasn't as sophisticated and shiny as the rest of the film. Apart from that I was very satisfied with the action, which (this is no critique) could have included a bit more shooting in my opinion. But enough on the negative comments, what about those white rasta (or was is dreadlock) twins? THEY WERE AWESOME!!! Mentioning them I have to say something about the new add-ons in to The Matrix Reloaded. There is (of course) Jada Pinkett Smith also Monica Bellucci, which are both extremely beautiful actresses, but apart from that I must say that they along with all other new additions (whom I will not mention by name) did a wonderful job in this film. The reason why I am only naming these two actresses is because I can feel in my gut that one of them (Pinkett) will have a crucial role in The Matrix Revisited and I'm mentioning Bellucci, because I thought her appearance was rather odd. I am not referring her appearance in general, but rather to the bathroom scene with Keanu Reeves she appeared in. That scene struck me as rather odd while I was watching it, although it did not disturb me. The thing is probably, that I am wondering if there is anything more behind it than they showed. Speaking of scenes in the film I do not understand brings me to the party / togetherness scene which I thought was overly (though not yet awkwardly) long. I admit that at the end I was able to grab the essence that persuaded the Wachowski brothers to insert it into the film, but I was nonetheless able to understand why they made that scene so long.

Because I do not want to bore you with detailed description of all the cool action sequences and because I do not want to spoil you're viewing experience I think it is time for me to tell you what you should expect of this film (I have to underscore again that you probably won't like this film much or even understand it if you haven't seen The Matrix). The thing with the Matrix Reloaded is, that it builds forth on the story from The Matrix and that it therefore can neither be required to have much of a story (look at other trilogy's and figure out what their midsection's story is) nor that it needs one. The thing is there is probably a red line that connects all three films (at least there is a line that connects The Matrix and Reloaded) and that it therefore cannot be divided into parts that have a story. Rather these films have to be viewed as a whole. What can you expect of Reloaded then? Well, a lot of cool action in sometimes very impressive and cool sequences, heart, emotion and foremost you can expect a good time. Is it better than the first you ask and I reply NO. Is it a good sequel you ask and I say YES.

Be sure that I'll revisit for the REVOLUTION, nay be certain

8 out of 10