Garbled and forced pseudo-philosophy

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2003)

First, I LOVED the first movie, and I enjoyed a lot of the action in this one. However, the story seemed forced and overdone. It felt like EVERYONE in production had an idea for the story, and EVERYONE got their opinions in on the final script.
I wasn't sure what this movie was really about. It was about the Matrix, then it really wasn't. It was about Agent Smith, then it wasn't. It was about rouge programs, and then it wasn't. It was about philosophy and the hope that Neo is THE ONE, then it wasn't. Then it was all about NEO's love for Trinity, then it wasn't.
I don't understand the point of this movie. Fun action, but even that only looked like a video game. Neo and Smith at many times looked like CGI characters ... which they were. My opinion is, if you can't make it look real, then just work with the real actors. It worked fine in the first one.
Plus, what was with the robe wearing idealists known as the Council members, and their hedonisticly and savagely portrayed tunic wearing "freedom fighters"? I mean, humanity is fighting to do what exactly? Survive to live in a sweaty orgy with no limits? I'd rather stay plugged in myself.
Zion looked like a badly dreamt of cartoon world, more abstract and stale than the Matrix itself. I have to admit, the Matrix seems like a much better alternative to the wacky Demolition Man world of Zion. Further, what an insult to make people sit through the longest ending credit sequence in the history of motion pictures just to see a quick and non-engaging trailer for Revolutions.
Too many people were involved with this film, and the producers used way too much money on flash and special effects ... I hear they even went over budget and needed Reeves to put up some cash to save it. They could have saved money by cutting their crew in half.
Look for it and you'll see a person designated as the Paint Bucket Holder! No kidding! They even listed people in the Accounting Department from some company...I don't know which studio. The sequence was quickly getting out of hand. And, just my opinion, but you don't need 30 assistant directors, and if you do, don't admit it.
I pray the next one will be better, but I doubt it. I honestly don't care how this ends.
Trinity could have died, and I couldn't have cared less. Neo could fail or succeed, and I couldn't care less. They should have stopped with the first. The story was good, it had a good solid ending. Now, the creators have just made it all a moot point.