Runtime: 138 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

 

 

 

The Wachowski Brothers (Andy Wachowski & Larry Wachowski) who wrote and directed all of the "Matrix" movies decided to release not just one sequel for the hit movie Matrix, but three. The two sequels are set to be released six months apart and the direct-to-DVD animated prequel called "Animatrix" is due on June 3, 2003. In addition there's a Matrix videogame that is supposed to tie-in to the movie as well. Let me tell you something about the Wachowski Brothers, they are milking as much as they can from the Matrix..

Four years ago, when the first movie was released, I was blown away by the Matrix!! It was a movie that caught everybody by surprise and it was a movie that actually made Keanu Reeves become a likeable character. The film became a movie phenomenon. Several films tried to mimic the Matrix's success by "ripping" their style off. There's the noticeable "Charlie's Angels" in which we would all remember the Matrix-like fight sequences, and then there's the obligatory Matrix spoofs like "Scary Movies" and "Shrek." It was fun to at first, but now this Matrix-like style has been done to death. From television shows like "Angel" to Hong Kong cinema like the recent hit "So Close," it seems like everybody is incorporating the "Bullet Time" technology into their movies. Maybe that's why I did not enjoy this film that much.

My biggest gripe is that there were just too many special effects in the movie to the point that everything just didn't seem real anymore. But then again..... What is real? In the Matrix, what we perceive to be reality is nothing more than just a complex virtual computer program designed by the machines so that they can control us humans. Therefore we start to question: What is reality if everything you believe in is nothing but a lie? What is choice if every decision you make is already pre-ordained? This is what the Matrix is about. A movie that tries to deal with the complex philosophical questions about life. If you pay close attention to it, there are many religious themes in this movie. All the action, special effect, and fight scenes are nothing but eye candy to appeal to the dull minded sheep that we call people. And I am one among them.

When I watch a summer blockbuster movie like the Matrix Reloaded, I do not want to be bombarded by questions about the true meaning behind the story. I just want to see a movie with action, martial arts, and huge explosions!! But the creators of the Matrix want to do something that is unheard of: they want the audience to actually think!

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are back again as the characters "Neo" and "Trinity." This time their relationship is explored even further in this film. Laurence Fishburne also returns as "Morpheus" and as usual, he's great. Also back is Hugo Weaving as "Agent Smith." I'm glad that he's back! He's the perfect nemesis for Neo and I'm sure that he will have an even more critical role when he returns again for the final part of the trilogy. "Matrix Revolution."

Additions to the movie are Jada Pinkett Smith as "Niobe," the former lover of Morpheus and a captain of the Resistance. She's currently seeing a military leader named "Lock," played by Harry Lennix and as you can see, there is tension between Lock, Morpheus, and Niobe. Harold Perrineau Jr. (who’s best known for his role on the HBO TV series, "Oz") plays "Link," a character who is taking over the role of "Tank" from the first film as the operator.

New additions for the "non-human" side are Monica Bellucci and Colin Chou. Monica plays "Persephone," a computer program who aids Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity in finding the "Key." She's very attractive and is easy on the eye. Too bad her role in this film is so short. Collin Chou plays "Seraph" and as expected, he does martial arts. This role was originally offered to Jet Li which he decided to turn down because the character had so little screen time. I was upset when I heard this, but now I'm glad that he did turn it down. If he didn't, I don't think that he would have had the chance to film that wonderful movie "Hero."

Matrix Reloaded was great, but I don't think that I would pay full price to see it again (like what I normally do on movies that I really like). There were many details that I missed that I'm sure are critical to the film, but I'll wait until the movie is released on DVD so that I can watch it over and over again. The Matrix II is an incomplete movie since it's a continuation for Part III. I'll wait until I watch Part III before I pass judgment on the whole Matrix Trilogy.

Overall Score: B