Reviewed by: Becca & Joe

Directed by: Andy Wachowski & Larry Wachowski

Produced by: Joel Silver

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, & Jada Pinkett-Smith

Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, and the rest of their crew continue to battle the machines that have enslaved the human race in the Matrix. Now, more humans are waking up out of the matrix and attempting to live in the real world. As their numbers grow, the battle moves to Zion, the last real-world city and center of human resistance.

Honestly, I wasn't that all impressed by the first Matrix, and my mood didn't change when I saw this one either. Yes, yes, I understand that the action sequences and etc were never before done, but that doesn't impress me much. I like story, and once again Matrix tried to survive on the solo purpose of it's action. The plot does thicken a bit, which was to say the least the most that impressed me about the movie.

The motorcycle chase scene was absolutely stunning, and Neo's coat when he flies around was beautiful. The special effects were amazing, yes I will agree to that. But, you just can't have a movie that lives off special effects alone... at least not when it comes to what I enjoy in movies. I didn't feel any heat at all when it came to the love affair between Neo and Trinity. There is a scene where Neo and Trinity are having sex, while the rest of Zion is dancing in the temple to almost pop music. This did not impress me, and was probably the worst scene in the entire movie. And be forewarned they show Reeve's butt in this scene, cute as it may be, it wasn't needed in this movie.

What I did like about this one that I hated about the last, was the story was thickened. You find out the truth about alot of characters, and about who Neo really is. Why he was ever allowed to be plugged into the Matrix to begin with. These parts made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, which is why I am giving the Matrix a perfect five.

The cast of The Matrix Reloaded is wonderful as it is expanded significantly from the original film. Keanu Reeves is perfectly cast as the role of Neo or The One. There was some question with the original if he could handle such an important role as this but Reeves totally proves his acting worth not only in the original but also in this film. Carrie-Ann Moss is great as Trinity. Her role is placed more center stage in this film allowing more screen time and more importance then some thought in the original film. Laurence Fishburne is, accourse, delightful as Morpheus. Fishburne is able to show more emotion with character this time around though not too much away from the normal emotions Morpheus had in the first movie. Jada Pinkett Smith is okay but one would think that her role will be bigger in The Matrix Revolutions. Monica Belluci's role is nothing more then eye candy for the young males. Her acting range is never really seen which is quite disappointing with such good word coming from her foreign films.

The Matrix Reloaded is definitely the movie event of the summer but not quite as perfect as all the hype said it would be. As great as it is there are some things to pick at. What is with the constant huge kissing scenes between Neo and Trinity? Almost every time they are alone they are eating each other's face. I think after the first kissing scene we would have gotten the idea that they are in love with each other. Another thing that was a problem was the orgy scene in the city of Zion. Was that truly necessary? It went from being a totally sci-fi film to this porno flick. What was the deal with all the sexual references within the course of the film in general? Are they that desperate to attract and appeal to young teenage boys that almost every other scene has to include a sexual action or comment? You would think that this kind of film would be above all of that but guess not. Other then those comment, The Matrix Reloaded is definitely the film to see this summer. One should see this film for the special effects alone. Absolutely amazing though in parts they seemed a little much especially with the fight between Neo and the multiple Agent Smiths. The Matrix Reloaded is not perfect by any standards but maybe that is what the film makers intended it to be. It is only half a film. Remember to stick around after the credits to check out a short preview of The Matrix Revolutions opening in theaters on November 5th, 2003.