Less of an Action Movie, More of a Science Fiction Movie

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2003)

Like Reloaded before it, this movie sees the story of The Matrix move away from being a mainstream popcorn action movie and towards being a "proper" sci-fi movie and I think that is the problem. Action fans will be alienated by all the talking and sci-fi fans will be alienated by the glossy over-the-top action. I am lucky; I sit between these two extremes and appreciate both genres. I almost feel like the movie was made for me.
There were a couple of times when it became concerned that the movie was failing, however, by the end of the film I walked away very impressed.
I think time will be the judge of The Matrix Trilogy. The story ends leaving many questions unanswered. If left like this people will talk about it for years to come- as they still do with Blade Runner. I doubt the studio will be able to leave it at that. Whilst another movie in ten years time would be good, I expect a deluge of comic books, novels, cartoons and computer games spin-offs, to follow- destroying all hope for debate and discussion.
The movie will not necessarily appeal to fans of the Die Hard series or 2001: A Space odyssey. It sits perfectly in the middle.