The Matrix Reloaded (2 Disc Edition) [2003] [DVD]

Let's get something clear before I begin - I love The Matrix, love it, one of the greatest films of all time without a doubt. The reason I mention this is that some of the reviews being critical of this (and the abysmal second sequel) are being critical of the Matrix trilogy.
So, Reloaded. This film follows the surviving members of the original crew from the first film; as a massive machine army works its way toward the last human city of Zion, Morpheus feels certain that Neo's fate will soon be realized, Trinity and Neo struggle to deal with his new-found messianic fame whilst maintaining any sort of relationship, and the mysterious return of Smith prompts the search for 'the keymaker' a program who may be able to lead Neo to his destiny (or at least show him the door).
So, the plot sounds just as strange and action-scene-ready as the first doesn't it? Wrong. The story ranges from horribly convoluted to barely sensible, with the philosophical edges so beyond our comprehension I still have no idea what it's about thematically. As for the storyline, well I can sort of follow it but it's not really that interesting, complicated yes, but not interesting, there is no Cypher-like twist here, only slow progression down a bizarre road with no interruption or change of stakes.
This far it sounds like a one-star review, that's because the film has a one-star plot. It's the action that saves this film, and even that's not as good as the last film.
The action comes a lot more in Reloaded, a good thing since the plot's rubbish and there's no character development of any kind. The first movie's claustrophobic old hallways and desperate chases have been replaced with wide arenas and full blown battles as Neo's powers now allow him to take agents head on and the other characters are forced into the open. The action scenes are for the most part great, the directors have become very ambitious and it's a good thing, with two stand-out scenes as Neo fights a private army of 'rejected programs' around and with a collection of medieval weaponry or when Trinity and Morpheus battle agents and ghosts (don't ask) whilst protecting the Keymaker and doing ninety down the freeway. But there's something missing, something essential they've forgotten; these fights are just way too clean. In the Matrix people bled, got covered in dust and debris and blows really felt like they hurt, here no-one really bleeds (except that one time), blows knock people back but don't seem to hurt at all, and there's not much of a sense of danger. So while the action scenes are brilliantly choreographed and constructed, they're essentially soulless.
What more can I say? It's got an OK but not very interesting plot that just becomes incomprehensible whenever it tries to be smart. It's got well done but soulless action scenes. It's a reasonable action movie that I watch from time to time and would be fine if only it didn't carry with it inevitable comparison to it's predecessor. This is reasonable as an action film, but as a sequel it's deeply disapointing.
If you've not seen it it's worth a look but don't expect the originals quality.

'The Matrix' was so original and so innovative that it was always going to be hard to follow up on it. Not only this, but it could have been a stand-alone film with an ending that is left to our imagination. However, 'Reloaded' is a case of 'mid-trilogy' syndrome - something that must be done to get to the final part. In this respect, 'Reloaded' works quite well (with a decent twist involving Smith's "real life" clone). There's certainly a feeling that you're witnessing a real spectacle or that one is around the corner. As a stand-alone, it doesn't work so well. There's a good 40 minutes in Zion (the last human city) before an real action - aside from an extremely pointless 30 second punch up with a few Agents... oh and another extremely pointless 30 second punch up with another good guy! But then Smith returns, thank God, "a new man, so to speak". But this time, he is also a rebel and begins to real inject some much-needed fun into the film. As soon as he shows up, there's one of the most entertaining fight scenes ever made with God-knows-how-many Smiths! Then a 15 minute car chase, ending with a REAL CLOSE CALL that just makes you sigh with relief! Much like The 'Empire Strikes Back', the ending is quite grim and holds one or two twists. The DVD extras are unremarkable and could have been a real spectacle... well, there's bound to be a 'Reloaded Revisited'! Anyway, definately worth buying if you watch all three (somehow) in a short amount of time...

The original Matrix film was brilliant in every definition of the word - the plot was fanatstic, the actors great, the technology groundbreaking, the feleing at the end of the movie brilliant, if a little cheesy with kenau's "superman" thing.

Reloaded is just more action, more big words, but actually less plot. You'd think a psychologist would be the type to understand the lingo, but then you realise it's just the most simple issues glamemd up. It seems Matrix 1 dealt with the plot and this, I can only hope, is a filler for the final installment. If Revolutions is again a letdown, then the brothers havr failed me!