The first time a full length feature film was successful enough to warrant a sequel was 1916’s The Fall Of A Nation. Since then, countless films have spawned sequels, prequels, spin-offs and trilogies to varying degrees of success. Nevertheless, with the success of the original Matrix, Warner Brothers handed a blank check to the Wachowski’s and asked for more. And that was what they did, four years after the original came The Matrix Reloaded. While an action film at its core, its great world building expanded on the world created in the original film and revealed that it was merely just a small part within a much larger world. That being said, while critics weren’t blown away, mainstream audiences just wanted to see Neo, Trinity and Morpheus back in action and for that, boy did the film deliver.

The Matrix Reloaded starts with Trinity (Moss) riding a motorcycle into a building guard shack, then being chased by an agent around inside the building before jumping out a window and getting shot on the way down. Neo (Reeves) wakes up to find he’s only been dreaming, but it’s the same one he’s been having and feels a terrible sense of foreboding about it. Morpheus (Fishburne) and his crew head into the matrix and meet with the leaders of other ships to discuss the threat of a robot army that’s tunneling down to Zion, to destroy the last human city. While in the meeting, The Agent known as Smith (Hugo Weaving) knocks on the door and sends a message to Neo saying that he was set free, right before three other Agents break in and fight Neo. After Neo kicks some ass, they unplug and head home where we get our first glimpse of the underground cave city of Zion and the wild rave parties that take place there. But when Neo goes back into the matrix to visit the oracle, she directs him to visit the Merovingian and get the key maker, a man who can get Neo into where he needs to go, to see the Architect.

If all of this sounds a bit confusing, don’t worry, it is. After having watched all three hundred cars that Chevy/GMC contributed to the film’s production get shot up, smashed, flipped, blown up and totaled, viewers have more than likely filled your daily action quota. Action aside, in it’s efforts to blow viewers’ minds like the original, The Matrix Reloaded relies on overly complicated dialogue and monologues from characters that end up creating a sort of confusion-induced aura that is sure to leave viewers wondering what in the hell they just watched. Though the Wachowskis’ screenplay and direction become a double-edged sword in that they allow for some wonderful world expansion and do some new and creative things inside this universe, some of the dialogue is truly horrific. Meanwhile, the soundtrack has some rocking tracks, the stunts are second to none and the visuals are very good although the Neo/Smith fight has really not aged well.

In the end The Matrix Reloaded shows viewers that the rabbit hole does indeed go much deeper, but this is the first time one can’t help but feel uncertain about where they’re heading. While the issues with its screenplay and convoluted dialogue bog the film down, there’s still plenty of technical elements and visual aesthetics that still make it a satisfying watch while for those looking for just a quick action fix, this hits it out of the park.

However, those hoping a sequel that would live up to or surpass its predecessor, most still continue to wait long after The Matrix was Reloaded.

still courtesy of Warner Bros.

(original review)

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Russell Miller

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