Rating: 
Summary: Severely misunderstood installment in the trilogy
Review: In all fairness, I too was disappointed in this film the first time I saw it. The opening seemed to drag on and on. It seemed overblown, overbudgeted, and far from what the Matrix series was originally intended to be.However, after I watched it again (and many more times since), this is the one installment of the trilogy that always mesmerizes me. Sure it's more of a standard sci-fi action movie than the original Matrix, but despite this feel, it is actually far more complex and intelligent than the original Matrix ever was. (or than Revolutions could possibly have been, since it was essentially just a long "final battle" sequence) The level of philosophical symbolism is incredible in this film. From the obvious continuation of symbolic names (Soren, the Logos, etc...) to the more powerful concepts that the film offers about Sci-Fi, action epics, and human nature itself. Pay close attention to the first half of the film. Find the places in which it appears to reference Star Wars, Star Trek, and Religious Epics, and other films in history. Pay attention to where these echoes of past films are inserted and what they mean. For example, Morpheus' overblown preaching in the cave. Do you let it simply irritate you? Or do you examine why the filmmaker's chose to turn Morpheus into an apocalyptic preacher? Or another example, what does it mean that almost every human in a position of power in the film turns out to be some form of religious extremist? From Morpheus' messianic rantings to the anti-religious rationality of Zion's Military Commander. And how are we to interpret the fact that in the end every one of them is wrong... I won't answer those questions. As the cliche goes, art means whatever it means to you. This film is so open and so intellectual that it can make you think about truly profound religious issues. If you're willing to give it that level of thought. On repeated viewing, this is one of the most challenging Hollywood films in recent memory. Despite its many flaws, the intellectual depth of this film keeps it far above most films that have been released in the past 10 years. The power of the Matrix series was never in its ability to entertain. Its most important feature was always its ability to make us think, and in that regard, the Matrix sequels succeed spectacularly.
Rating: 
Summary: decent followup
Review: By combining groundbreaking special effects with a heavy dose of religious symbolism and allegory, the original "Matrix" (1999) quickly became a cult classic, generating a legion of fanatical followers almost immediately upon its release (films often have to wait many years to attain a cult following, but "The Matrix" did not). More than just a movie to many of its fans, "The Matrix" has become something of a religious icon, an object to be studied over, memorized and worshipped by the faithful as if its text were some sort of pop culture, New Age scripture and its creators the enlightened gurus of our technological time. In "The Matrix Reloaded," Keanu Reeves returns as Neo, the Messiah/Christ figure set apart to help overthrow the massive computer program that has taken over the world. The many allusions to the Bible and Greek mythology - particularly in the names assigned to various characters and places in the film - are really only window dressing for all the eye-popping CGI effects that are the true justification for the film's existence. And, indeed, the special effects are mighty impressive, a quantum leap over those in the original film, but all this technical wizardry does come with a bit of a price. Some of the action scenes are so over-the-top in fashion and style that they actually end up draining the film of much of its inherent suspense. When characters can do ANYTHING and get away with it - defying all laws of physics and gravity in the process - then they lose that quality of vulnerability that makes the audience care. We watch these sequences, dazzled by their brilliance, yet we do so as detached outsiders and not the insiders we would be if the characters' lives seemed more threatened. Perhaps a few more ground rules - i.e. who can be hurt and how - would be in order to take care of this problem. Despite that flaw, and despite the fact that the sequel lacks the sense of unraveling mystery we found in the original, the Wachowski Brothers deserve credit for churning out an enjoyable big budget action film that at least tries to create an interesting world and doesn't just settle for tired old stereotypes and clichés. Special praise must go to the art directors who have done a spectacular job visualizing the city of Zion, home base to the resistance forces who are hell bent on defeating the evil machines that have reduced humanity to a perpetual dream state located inside a computer mainframe. We will even forgive the filmmakers for turning Zion - however briefly - into a giant milling mosh pit early on in the film. The idea of machines taking over and crushing our humanity has been a staple of science fiction ever since the dawn of the industrial age. Still, "The Matrix" movies have found a clever way to tap into our specific paranoia related to the cyber world in which we find ourselves living. Although "The Matrix Unloaded" is an entertaining film in its own right, anyone unfamiliar with the original will most likely be totally confused by the action on the screen, since very little attempt is made to explain the intricacies of the plot to the uninitiated. As a result, anyone who dares venture forth to see this second installment without intimate knowledge of the first had best beware. To be continued...
Rating: 
Summary: BOO HOO HOO
Review: Effects were great,but this movie sucked. If your a Matrix fan part 1 is the only good one to watch.It's just one of those other movies the media makes a big deal of and the people follow.
Rating:
Summary: Good effects at least
Review: Each film in this series gets considerably worse and worse....the original was good this one is ok but alot of things really hurt this film I believe. The action and effects are all top notch to a point but when Neo fights all of the Smiths it looks like a video game fest with a fake looking Neo??!??! the Zion scene also wasn't revered by most fans Ive spoken with also. I feel its good for some action and "special effects" junkies but the story was VERY weak and got weaker in Revolutions, stick with the original..
Rating: 
Summary: Terribly disappointing
Review: The original "Matrix" effectively combined stylistic action with philosophy and spirituality, and although it resorted to action-film formula more than a few times, it remains an impressive effort. Naturally, expectations were high for the two sequels, filmed simultaneously at large expense. Would the first sequel, "Matrix Reloaded," expound upon the impressive premise established in the first film? To be blunt: I can see why the word "load" is in the title. This murky, confusing sequel undermines nearly everything established in the first film. Gone are the subtle references to Zen Buddhism and Gnostic Christianity that gave the series broad appeal. Instead, we're treated to vague euphemisms for--and references to--free will and choice. The Wachowskis abandoned the more philosophical bent of the original in favor of more action, and that ends up making this film nearly unwatchable. The non-action segments are stupefyingly dull, featuring wretched dialogue that is uncomfortably similar to the "Star Wars" prequels, and inane plot development that is merely a sideshow to all the action. Some parts are truly bad: The "rave orgy" near the beginning of the movie may be the worst segment in any of the three films, accompanied by perhaps the most unsexy sex scene in recent memory. There's no passion in Neo and Trinity's lovemaking, and the same could be said for the Wachowski's script and direction: Apart from the action segments the movie slows to an utter, stultifying crawl. It's a labor to watch. The one exception is when Neo meets the Architect, and discovers what may be some unsettling truths about the Matrix and the nature of reality. There's more plot development and intrigue packed into the Architect's few minutes of dialogue than in the rest of the film combined. Not that all of the film was bad, however. While the film fails to deliver the goods where plot, dialogue, and characterization are concerned, it does offer some excellent action sequences. Three in particular stand out: Neo vs. the Merovingian's men, the dynamic highway chase, and Neo vs. multiple (and I do mean MULTIPLE) Agent Smiths in what has become known as "the Burly Brawl." The highway chase is an exciting twelve minute set piece full of dizzying action and unbelievable stunts and effects, all delivered in a nearly flawless manner. The "burly brawl," perhaps the best-know segment from Reloaded, is sensational, with Neo duking it out in dynamic fashion with the rogue Smith and his innumerable duplicates. The famous "wire-fu" effects are used to great results here; Neo and Smith defy gravity and physical laws in an impressive battle. But those scenes are merely small punctuations in the overall dullness of this film. Ultimately, "Reloaded" is done in by its own pretentiousness and total lack of subtext. Fortunately, the third film would bring some of the energy and subtle mysticism back to the series. But it cannot make up for the gargantuan misstep that "Reloaded" comprises.
Rating:
Summary: Gets better with repeat viewings
Review: When The Matrix Reloaded first came out I really didn't like it. However, now that I've seen it on DVD a few times, I can honestly say I like it a lot better. It still feels like half a film, the action sequences still seem kind of pointless, and it lacks the punch and innovation of the original - but as long as you're prepared and know where everything is leading and how this chapter in the Matrix saga ends, it all seems to flow and overall work a lot better than it really should. The thought puzzles surrounding "choice" and "free will" are still good for a ponder, even if they haven't been as nicely integrated as the philosphy in the original. It also helps to have seen The Matrix Revolutions, which should really be viewed as one combined film with Reloaded. Normally I give DVDs another star if the extras add value to the overall package, but there's not that much extra stuff here. You get the funny MTV awards spoof and a good documentary on the freeway chase, but everything else feels promotional. There's also something funny about the audio-mixing too; music is cranked up while speech is softer than it should be. Overall it's a competent DVD, but there's supposed to be a much better box set coming soon. As for the movie, it's still flawed but gets better with repeat viewings.
Rating:
Summary: Mistake
Review: The first movie was watchable, this was a two hour very bad advertisement for the third movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A good sequel.
Review: It's pretty hard to follow up on a movie as good as The Matrix, but Reloaded does a good job. Although the beginning is somewhat pointless, and seems to drag on, the movie starts getting good as soon as they leave Zion. The Matrix movies also really make you think, because a lot of things aren't explained and the possibilities of a "real world" is very interesting. The fact that machines have taken over the humans is also relevant to the world now, as we depend on computers ( I can't go a day without ESPN or AIM) for almost everything, and it's quite possible that we will create robots that are too smart for us. Anyway, the car chase scene is great, as is the scene when they enter the restaurant. Watch this series.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Attempt to Trilogize a Great Movie
Review: The Matrix is a great movie. It was received poorly in the theaters and by critics who boo anything they don't immediately understand or relate to. Over the last few years, The Matrix developed such a cult following that not one but two sequels were demanded of the Wachowski brothers. Thus, this trilogy was not so much born as created. It would have been more creatively honest of the Wachowskis to have demurred simply because its obvious they were not prepared to carry the battle past the first movie and develope any of the ideas raised within. Understandably, they put all their ideas into the first movie because, at the time, they had no reason to expect any demand for a sequel, much less two. If The Matrix is philosophy 101, then The Matrix Reloaded is remedial philosophy with occasional lame attempts at cleverness. Not coincidentally, the eye popping freeway action scene is the only really rousing part of the movie. The Wachowski's impulse is to have their cake and eat it too by physically expanding on both the matrix and the real worlds and keep most of the ideas intact. Instead of better or new, we get more. More places & more characters. Added to this, they tend to overplay Morpheus as a cross between Moses & John the Baptist & Neo as a Christ figure. The unconvincing romance between Neo & Trinity, several unnecessary minor characters (mostly militaristic macho hotheads & cool bad guy computer programs) and a city council that seems to consist mostly of rather relaxed rastafarians are all is just smokescreen. The Matrix benefited tremendously by not overplaying its impressive but not spectacular hand. Matrix Reloaded bets the house on the same exact hand.
Rating:
Summary: Not so blown away
Review: I was blown away when I saw the Matrix for the first time and still rank it among my favorite movies ever. I was looking forward to the sequel and again it is good. The story continues about Neo fighting in the Matrix with Morpheus and Trinity. The enemies are now more, hundreds of Smiths and a very scary albino twin. There are however too many fighting scenes and sometimes it is very obvious that computer graphics have been used, even for real people. The scene with Neo fighting hundreds of Smith is absurd. But still, the graphics are amazing, the choreography is very worthwhile and the story keeps you thinking as well. I wasn't dissapointed, not at all, so watch it if you liked the Matrix I
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