[NovaZ]

The Matrix Reloaded


"Sentinels swarm. Smith clones. Neo flies...but perhaps not even a Chosen One gifted with astonishing new powers can stop the advance of the Machines. Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity are back for the powerful second chapter of the Matrix Trilogy, and exciting new allies join them in the struggle against foes who are cloned, upgraded and closing in on humanities last enclave. Back, too, are the Wachowski Brothers and producer Joel Silver, expanding their vision with a spectacle that rocks the sense, probes the heart and shapes filmmaking's tomorrows. What is the Matrix? The question is not yet fully answered, And it leads to another : Who created the Matrix? The answers lead to more worlds of bold possibility - and to a destiny that passes from revelations to Revolutions." After the impact of the first Matrix, it was knowledge that it was a preset triolgy. While most sequels fall flat, the fact that it is a premade trilogy didnt bring many nay-sayers. The exception to most Sequel cliches, the Matrix Reloaded while not as revolutionary as the original Matrix still holds its won as a good film. Six months have elapsed since the original Matrix in Reloaded. Neo (Keanu Reeves) returns and fights alonside Morpheus (Laurenece Fishbourne) and Trinity (Carrie Ann Moss). Being the machine world and the Matrix have new problems the confer with the Oracle (Gloria Foster) to learn of how they are to fulfill the prophecy that will save Zion and mankind. In their quest the come across new enemies including the Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) and find an unlikely ally in his wife Persephone (Monica Bellucci) and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) returns from the original.

The Matrix Reloaded got a lot of mixed reviews. The fans of the original Matrix were split, some loved it, some hated it. I thought it was rather good. For what it was, I couldnt have asked for too much more. It was part two out of three, it set up everything that is to happen in The Matrix Revolutions. If you are expecting another groundbreaking and new film, you may be disapointed, but I wasnt, and in the end, I was left with a positive feeling of the film. The storyline while it does have some gaps is generally good, the gaps arent there because they left something out, they are there to be resolved later. The story progresses solidly including points of heavy actions and points of simply talking. I was never bored during the film, and thats a good thing. You are kept watching at the fight scenes and kept listening as the story developes. The cast is generally the same as the original, with a few new additions. The cast is in the good paragraph because it makes actors who aren't exceptionally good actors look good. Example being Keanu Reeves. I dont think Ive seen him act very well in any of his films with the exception of the Matrix series. Feel free to prove me wrong TED, but I mean Hardball? The Watcher? But the Matrx makes him look credible. Laurence Fishbourne even with a few extra pounds plays Morpheus as well as ever, the same with Carrie Ann Moss. The addition of Monica Bellucci is a major plus in the cast section. I mean while her part was not long, she plays a vital role in the film. Added she could have just stood there all day and she would have gotten a positive mark from me. While she doesnt show it all as she does in most of her films its still fun to imagine. The additon of Jade Pinkett Smith as Niobe is also a positive mark. The most notable scene and probably one of the best all time is the Freeway Scene. Without giving too much of it away, its definately the most exciting and action packed scene(s) in the movie. Explosions, fights, and Laurence Fishborne dealing it out with a sword. In the Freeway Scene you have just about every party in the film fighting it out. Definately a great scene. If you are looking for some nice action sequences the Freeway Scene leads the way with other scenes to back it up.

As good as the Freeway Scene was, is as bad as the Rave Scene is. It isnt giving much away to say that there is a far too long Rave Scene near the beginning of the film. Sure its celebratory but its the only point in the film where you are bored and dont want to watch. How long can you watch people jumping around? Not too long as you will quickly be bored when the time comes. The rave scene is also concluded with another bad point, Keanu Reeves backside. Now Im all for realism in that showing nudity when its neccessary. But its never neccessary to see Keany Reeves' ass. The special effects earn a spot on the more bad than good part. While some of it are quite good there are some points that are just as bad. There is a scene where Neo is fighting numerous Agent Smith's he is obviously kicking ass, but the problem is during certain moves such as spinning around a pole kicking the Agents, it doesnt look real. It looks like you are watching a CGI from an early PS2 or late PSX game. Same goes for when a lot of the more unrealistic things happen, such as an Agent jumping and smashing a car, sure it would look cool if done right, but it doesnt look real, if you are going to dazzle us with special effects, go all the way. The main complaint in which I can see people having, even though I dont have, is that it wasnt as revolutionary as the original Matrix. The Matrix was new and suprised everyone with a great great movie. And naturally when another Matrix comes along you expect it to be the same. Thats the problem with sequels you cant compare them to the first, when you do you take away from the movie itself. The Matrix Reloaded in itself is a good film, but not like the first. You need to see it as that.

The Bonus Features span two disks as most movies are becoming. The Bonus Feeatures include Preload; a behind the scenes look at the Matirx, The Matrix Unfolds; an overall look at the Matrix, The Freeway Chase; how they did this incredible scene, Get Me an Exit; design and advertising for the movie, Enter the Matrix; a look at the video game and how they made it, What is the Animatrix; a look into the anime, and your average Subtitles. Being a fan of the Matrix naturally I enjoyed looking into all the behind the scenes and how they made this type features. Seeing how they made the excellent Freeway Chase Scene was my favorite of the bonus features. Overall, the bonus features wont bore you and if you like the film, they will be even better. These are the kind of bonus features you watch all the time, not just when you are reviewing them, in my case anyway.

Truth be told, I had a hard time thinking of some bad points for the film and I also had trouble with the good points. The bad points were hard because the only thing I didnt really like was the Rave Scene everything else I liked which made it hard to talk about bad points. And when it came to good points, you can only say so much about it being good. All and all this movie is a must see for anyone who slightly enjoyed the first Matrix. It sucks you in for Revolutions and is a perfect bridge between the two. If you havent seen any of the Matrix movies, go see them.

Story : 8/10
Cast : 9/10
Sound : 9/10
Special Effects : 6/10
Bonus : 9/10

[Monty]

I unlike Ted thought the Matrix was a brilliant trilogy. Your review does exemplify a lot of the strength's and weakness's of the film. However, I think you forgot to dive into the philosophical points of the movie.

otherwise, great review.

Monty

[NovaZ]

I unlike Ted thought the Matrix was a brilliant trilogy. Your review does exemplify a lot of the strength's and weakness's of the film. However, I think you forgot to dive into the philosophical points of the movie.

otherwise, great review.

Monty

Philosophical points .... Eh ...

At times I felt that like whoa this is deep, and at times I felt like, hmm this is kind of superficial. Why dont you introduce some of your thoughts and we will discuss them ....

[NovaZ]

He sucks man, plain and simple. Maddox had a great idea of replacing him with a wooden plank, and I think that would have done the trick nicely.

Point being he isnt a very good actor, but he did what he did in the Matrix. While you say anyone could have done it, and that can certainly be argued so, I still respected how he played the role and enjoyed him doing it.

[Mistik]

Monty you forget alot of things hinted in the film went over alot of peoples head.

[The Hero of Time]

The film was confusing at first, but then again so was the original the first time you watch it. I think the film has gone all style over substance but i wouldn't go so far as to say it was bad. Reloaded and Revolutions are one film split in two, you need to watch one directly after the other to get the best out of both of them.

No one can fault the special effects though, top notch.