Stars: Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Director: Wachowski Brothers
Released: 5/2003
Rating: 2 stars

The original Matrix film, released in 1999, was a stimulating, exciting experience. The story worked on multiple levels, first as an exceptional action film, but also as a Christian allegory. That film was a great success at the box office, and it was only a matter of time before a sequel was made.

This first sequel, the middle in a trilogy ending with Matrix Revolutions later in 2003, was released to great fanfare in 2003. Along with the movie came Animatrix, a series of anim�-style short films taking place in the Matrix universe, and Enter the Matrix, a video game whose story augmented that of the movie.

The story picks up some months after the conclusion of The Matrix. The war against the machines continues. The warriors of Zion have freed more minds than ever before. However, the machines are begining a counter-attack by drilling tunnels to Zion. Meanwhile, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is struggling to understand his role as Messiah. He is eventually summoned to the Oracle (Gloria Foster) who gives him guidance on how he is to fulfill his responsibilities. But Neo will learn in the end that all is not as it seems.

The original film, apart from being an excellent action film, was about the nature of reality. This film explores the tension between free-will and predestination.

The special effects and stuntwork in this film are unmatched, but I think overrated. Two sequences stand out: the so-called Burly Brawl, where Neo battles Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), and the freeway chase. The Burly Brawl is a masterpiece of special effects. Neo battles hundreds of copies of Smith and the visuals and action are seamless. But does this sequence have any real value to the story? Or is it just a demonstration of the technical abilities of the special effects department? In the end, the fight is meaningless and lacks any conclusion. Neo, basically, just runs away and it ends.

The freeway chase ranks among the best chase sequences ever filmed. But, again, is this really necessary? The thing takes 10-15 minutes on screen. Once they've painted themselves into a corner where the good guys can't escape any more, in flys Neo to get them out. It's exciting, but way over the top and overdone.

I think these sequences show the fundamental problem with Matrix Reloaded. The Wachowski Brother's were given a pile of money with which to make these films and they indulged every impulse, showing a complete lack of restraint. What drove the original movie was sharp writing and a pretty good, involving story. This time around, the story is bloated with long discourses on causality and the nature of control, is told in starts and stops as the filmmakers suspend the story for prolonged periods to show how clever they are with stunt work.

Last updated 01/16/2004 03:21 PM