Underrated, misunderstood

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2004)

The original installment blew it's fans away. The second received a decidedly lukewarm reception. I've never understood why.
It was always going to suffer from the "Part 2" effect, and those that expected to be re-blown away were bound to be disappointed.

The original offered a toe in the water for the metaphysical branch of philosophy, and mysticism in religion, and this was the first time most people had been presented with such things. The second merely took this further, and offered the film as the second part of a (potentially) ongoing series (viewers of the Animatrix will surely respect this).
So, what's the problem (apart from the rave, obviously)?
As an individual with a reasonable education in the areas of both mysticism and metaphysics, I can honestly say that this second installment was truly intelligent and honest.