Effective...on several levels

Rating: Null/10 (13 June 2003)

Once again, the Matrix has us. Chicago's Wachowski Brothers, after revealing the penultimate in special effects with 'bullet-time' (the scenes of morphed time and space where the actor or actress can dodge bullets or suspend themselves in mid-air while the camera pans around them), showcase the next level of SFX in their evil pair of "ghosting" programs - the Rayment Twins. Not only are the special effects...well...spectacular, but the plot evolves the entire storyline of the blossoming trilogy. In this second installment, we learn that Zion itself is in danger. The machines have discovered it's location and are burrowing through the Earth to reach it. Several ships are asked to remain behind inside the Matrix to wait for word from the Oracle. On top of all that, Neo begins having prophetic nightmares about Trinity's fate.
For a guy who is known more for his looks than his acting, Keanu Reeves once again pulls off the acting job for Neo brilliantly. Perhaps this part was made for him, or he was meant to play it. Perhaps the part may could have been played by any other actor. That will be debated for sometime.
For all it's glitz and glamor, The Matrix: Reloaded still has room for a storyline that would work without the special effects.