Buckle your seat belts and bring your thinking caps!
Written: May 15 '03 (Updated May 15 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Amazing action sequences, fascinating new plot divergences, plain old COOL
Cons: A bit heady for some
The Bottom Line: A pretty damn excellent sequel to one of the best sci-fi movies ever made…and that’s good enough for me.
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| scott29's Full Review: The Matrix: Reloaded |
Riding a stunningly huge wave of pre-release hype, massive fan base expectations, and a heaping handful of early-buzz detractors, the 20 million ton sequel that is The Matrix Reloaded has finally settled into the multiplexes…and damn if it’s not a resoundingly good time.
“Is it better than the first?” is a question I’ve been asked several times, and my answer is invariably “Nope.” But those who ask that sort of question are precisely the sort who will probably love Part 2 anyway, partially because it’s a LOT more of the ‘same thing’ from the original film, but also because the sequel capably manages to introduce its own branching mythologies and several colorful new characters. In other words, the spectacle of The Matrix universe is alive and well and almost guaranteed to keep your brain dancing until Part 3 shows up in November.
That The Matrix is one of the craftiest and most influential (to say nothing of popular) modern sci-fi flicks is a barely debatable point. Appearing on the scene a few months before the first Star Wars prequel, The Matrix was a bona-fide sensation, earning about $170 million (in the U.S. alone) before becoming the original MUST OWN DVD on the market. By now, just about everyone in the civilized world likes, loves (or downright adores) this movie. Though it’s a kinetic and clever sci-fi action film, the real beauty of The Matrix lies within the deciphering of its many puzzles. The surface stuff is wonderful, but nothing beats the thrill of discovery. Clearly, the Brothers Wachowski have a pretty tough order to fill with these gigantic follow-ups.
My biggest gripe (and it’s a small one) about Part 2 is that that ‘newness’ is inevitably absent. Movie fans have had the past several years to revisit and debate and discuss the finer points of The Matrix’s loftier concepts. (Indeed, The Matrix Reloaded may be one of those films that suffers from impossibly high expectations.) The sequel assumes we’re already up to speed and plunks us right back in step with the action:
Freedom fighters for humankind, Morpheus, Neo and Trinity are about to head back to the massive subterranean hideout known as Zion. Barring a few short bouts of kung fu smashy, the first 45 minutes or so are dedicated to new character development and somewhat extensive plot exposition. (This fact has led to many early complaints about the film’s overall pacing, though I’d recommend you take a look at the original film and count the butt-kickings that take place in its first act.) If straight-out non-stop hysteria is what you’re after, then sure: the first section of this movie may seem pretty arid. But if you’re like me, you may actually enjoy the “dialogue stuff” the Wachowski’s screenplay is easily fascinating enough to bridge the spells in between explosions and 12-minute fistfights. The concepts here are lofty and self-important to be sure; some people see those as detriments. Based on the ideas and ideologies presented in both movies, I’d respectfully disagree.
Our heroes are off to discover the whereabouts of a ‘program’ called The Keymaker, and their search brings them to a devious Frenchie called Merovingian who has these evil ghost henchmen and a sneaky curvaceous partner named Persephone and...
Know what? Forget synopsis. Either you know the plot specifics already, or you want to go into the film blind. I won’t waste our time.
I had an absolute ball with this movie. Period. Even in the most entertaining movies, I often find myself cheek-shifting and watch-checking every 23 minutes or so. Not so here. The well-documented “Burly Brawl” and a stunning chase scene that runs about fifteen minutes will be breathlessly discussed by movie fans for years to come…or at least until The Matrix Revolutions shows up and we have even slicker eye candy to devour.
That the Wachowskis have created their own unique pastiche from a massive array of cinematic and literary influences is a topic best suited to those who actually know what they’re talking about (as opposed to myself, who usually just regurgitates the 'brainy stuff’ only because I’ve read smarter people’s work). What I can admit is that the whole Matrix concept simply fascinates me. The idea that humankind lives in a false reality may not be anything new, but I don’t see many other filmmakers using the concept to such dizzyingly entertaining degrees.
The Matrix Reloaded is the best kind of sequel: it revisits the best sections of its source material; it gives beloved characters new things to do and learn; it introduces a few fresh concepts and characters that only serve to complement the story as a whole (well, Parts 1 and 2 anyway, though you can bet your house that I’m salivating over the prospect of Chapter III); it isn’t dumbed down or lazily realized (try and remember what most sequels used to look like not too long ago: chintzy hack jobs); and most important: it gives Joe Moviegoer 2 hours and 20 minutes that are easily worthy of his 9 bucks.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
scott29
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Location: Philadelphia
Reviews written: 457
Trusted by: 414 members
About Me:
Passionate, opinionated, and always on the lookout for the next great movie.
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