The most disappointing sequel ever!

Rating: 1/10 (17 May 2003)

SPOILERS
'The Matrix reloaded' will be appealing to simple minded fans that were solely drawn to the action sequences of the first. The mounting reviews (by even respectful critics) that praise this sequel for its explosions and big bangs obviously missed the ideology and ambition behind 'The matrix'. 'The matrix' brewed a cult following with not only brawns but brains.
But it seems 'reloaded' did the unthinkable, literally. And now, (As Warner Bros intended) zombie sheep spread there approval of the movie throughout the internet like one big malignant tumour. It's a safe bet for Warner, you can't go wrong with the zombies. Its almost ironic, like the plot unfolds (over and over again) "predetermination" is very much Warner Bros key to success to banking this sequel. No matter what is to be said, Critic or Oracle, people will watch this movie.
So lets just stop and ponder like sheep. Are the action sequences fantastic. Not even close! The brawl is all computer generated, much like the rest of the action sequences. And it is truly inferior to some of the new technology we have seen from 'Star Wars' and 'Lord of the Rings'. You can see the blurring effects, cut and pastes, and the invisible rope being pulled. Keanu and Weaver visibly morph from camera to computer, and back again.
What about the cult music. Forget it. The sequel soundtrack is even more dissapointing. The brawl track was worst of all, almost making fun of the sequence. There is no defining backdrop sound to this sequel.

The cult feel of the movie is lost aswell. Everyone is in trenchcoats and sunglasses in the matrix. Unfortunately life outside of the matrix turns out to be much like 'Star Wars'. Everyone walks around with a stiff upper back, is named after a Greek God, and talks about the ONE. There is the Councelor, Commander, and the Ships. Zion is straight out of 'Star Wars', with post modern apocalyptic caves. I wouldnt be suprised if Agent Smith is Neo's father.
The movie begins very slowly. It reveals Zion and a few dull characters that no one will care about. Little air time is given to reveal Neo's recent progressions, and when it does, he has little to say (except that he misses his mummy). He is basically deep in love. Oh hell, not a love story. Morpheus lacks the wit and posh he once possessed, now more brawns, his "WWF" antics as he fired up the Zion cavemen was just ridiculous. Weaver is always blue in the face and far from sexy. The Coucellor admits he has no point to make. And the recently new ship recruitment is similar to JAR Jar Binks. Disgusting one liners "YES!". I couldnt believe this. The Matrix was never suppose to be humorous. Now every action scene is followed by one of these lines. The movie repeatedly runs off in a tangent, there is a 15 minute dance rave that is straight out of a Khalua (or Jim Beam) commercial (WTF?). There is a 10 minute scene where a french man talks garbage and offers a orgy cake to a woman (WTF?). There is a 'give me a kiss and I will give you the key to the matrix' scene (WTF?). There is countless love scenes which climax at the end (It seems if you love someone enough you can bring them back to life now) Jar Jar commentates "I cant take any more of this", and we never hear about that day again. There are ghosts that look like vampires now. Agent SMith is the only unpredictable character (most emotional and human) yet he is suppose to be a program. He has dumped his sidekicks. How?
And the storyline now reaks. The Architect talks s*it and warns us 'You are human you wont understand all of this'. This one comment underlines what 'Reloaded' has done. It has made no attempt to progess the ideology behind the matrix. It tries to escape its moral duty to explain why, what and how. Much of it is based on the Oracle, the One and the prophecy crap which was the weakness of the first 'matrix'. Use the Force Neo. You might aswell because they don't bother to explain anything anymore. Why is Agent smith gone wrong? How is Agent SMith breaking the rules of the program? How do the Exiles break these rules? Why don't the machines just create programs that can break the rules like NEO? How does Smith go to Zion, and how is he replicating? What is this "one" business? Why is Neo the 6th one, exactly? All these important questions skimmed over in less time than the rave dance sequence. It has become to complicated with twist after twist. Its almost a crash course (in something). There is no time to grasp any of the new ideas (maybe inteneded, is there really any). Too many loose ends. And those pathetic Fans will argue, some things should be left for the viewer's imagination.
The worst of all, "To be concluded", like a weekly Sci-Fi series! I wished for a mind stimulating story and more character progession but got nothing! Damn it hollywood!