Neo's pool of self reflection

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2003)

Artfully blending the film noir of 'Dark City' (1998) with ?Alice in Wonderland? and Marxist cultural criticism, the Wachowski brothers breathed new life into late 1990s Western action cinema with the release of ?The Matrix? (1999).
During the first hour of ?Reloaded? it is as if George Lucas somehow downloaded the ?Phantom Menace? virus into the creative database of the Wachowski Brothers, infecting the once lean stealth-like ?Matrix? with endless discussion and senatorial deliberation! The bloated sequel ironically now reflects the ?Star Wars? franchise, which it so devastatingly broadsided in the summer of 1999. However, the issues are very different. Whilst ?Menace? was bereft of a cohesive and engaging story. This second act is all but an indigestible narrative. A rich semiological montage of academic musings and high octane opium that commands repeated viewing!
By the pale moonlight, a haunting silhouette of Neo instantly transforms into an homage to both Batman and Superman. Sending shivers down the spine of this fan!
The arrival of Persephone (Monica Bellucci) raises the sexual tension and ?Reloaded? takes flight, never ceasing to amaze and astound. Culminating in a breathtaking car chase. In less assured hands this 15 minute race would have been unsustainable, here it becomes quintessential cinema. Sending seismic shock waves that will be felt for years to come. A convincing reminder of the audacious and adroit talent of the Wachowskis and their production team.
The star of the movie is unquestionably Carrie-Anne Moss, who is the emotional counterpoint to Keanu Reeves? detachment. Trinity is an angular shadow dramatically aspected against state-of-the-art bombast.
It appears that even Neo isn?t immune to the curse of Narcissus! But ?Reloaded? is a pool worth swimming in. You?ll emerge in delirious anticipation for ?Revolutions?.