Rating: 
Summary: Not worth owning the DVD
Review: I watched the DVD last night and was HUGELY disappointed. True to the original Matrix the Wachowski Brothers created a massive world filled with amazing special effects and visual candy. The problem is the movie is SO BORING! Like George Lucas before them, the Wachowski brothers lost themselves in their own convoluted mytholgy, spending more time on sci fi babble than on characters and plot. There are countless points in the movie where we are forced to listen to the brothers' pretentious dialog that does nothing to move the story forward. Whats with the fight scenes too? Did their sound editor actually use an effect of bowling pins being knocked down when Neo battles 100 agent Smiths? What could have been an really cool action scene felt more like a Road Runner cartoon. Even the kung-fu scenes lack speed, energy and suspense. You can sacrifice plot for really good action but when the action stinks, it really misses the mark. Yes, the car-motorcycle chase scene is incredible and but unless you are a die-hard Matrix fan I would encourage you to save it for a Friday night rental rather than make it part of your home dvd collection.
Rating: 
Summary: time to face destiny and ignore reality
Review: Reloaded is post ANIMATRIX where the crew of actors from THE MATRIX return for what would have been a great film. In the first film the story was great and involved some deep development into the plot. It did have some exciting fight scenes and effects that paved a new road for CG. It was also still based on partial laws of physics. Reloded is a completely different story.
It seemed as though the film makers wanted to create the special effects industry all over again. By using very predictable CG it made the movie seem more like a cartoon then an action flic. The cheractors seemed to be invinceable from harm and be exempt from gravity and normal reality based physical laws. Neo could fly and take on countless phoes with ease which made the agents and mineons seem like much less of a threat, trinity could jump out a 65 story building, and morphious could battle on a truck at high speeds.....It just seemed so made up. If that is not enough, it contained some of the longest speeches i have ever herd. The machene who created the matrix (in the film) seemed so calm about the continuing murder and distruction that was taking place in his world. If he indeed desired perfection why would he let humans run amok leveling buildings and freeways. I was very stunned at the out of place and completely unnecessary rave/love scene. Not something that would normally be seen in an action film.
All in all, the film is an insult to THE MATRIX and should be left on the shelf of the video stroe instead of on your own.
Rating:
Summary: Meh merely ok
Review: although reloaded was good it did not stand up to the first one and i was a little disappointed. having a few kids (i no there's atleast 2) i was hesitante to see this movie with them. there were some scenes that should not have been. anyways thats my rant if you want more info about this visit http://www.outwar.com/page.php?x=1719175 for answers
Rating: 
Summary: "We can never see past the choices we don't understand."
Review: Following the phenomenal success of the 1999 film "The Matrix", Andy and Larry Wachowski returned to write and direct the much-anticipated 2003 sequel, "The Matrix Reloaded". Returning to their previous roles are Keanu Reeves as "Neo", Carrie-Anne Moss (who played Natalie in the 2000 film "Memento") as "Trinity", Laurence Fishburne as "Morpheus", Gloria Foster (1933-2001) as "The Oracle" and Hugo Weaving as "Agent Smith". Hugo Weaving is also well known for his portrayal of "Elrond" in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001-2003), as well as playing drag queen "Mitzi Del Bra" in the 1994 Australian film "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". Several newly introduced characters in the sequel include Helmut Bakaitis as "The Architect", Randall Duk Kim as "The Keymaker", Harry J. Lennix as "Commander Lock", Jada Pinkett Smith as "Niobe", Harold Perrineau Jr. (who played the poetic Prisoner #95H522 Augustus Hill in the 1997-2003 HBO series "Oz") as "Link", Anthony Zerbe (whose first big screen role was "Dog Boy" in the 1967 "Cool Hand Luke") as "Councilor Hamann" and Lambert Wilson as "Merovingian". As with the 1999 "The Matrix", the special effects used in "The Matrix Reloaded" are phenomenal. Some of the best include Neo's battle with the multiple Agent Smiths, the sentries, Neo's ability to fly in the matrix, the freeway scene and Trinity's fall. As for the plot, Neo has a recurring dream of Trinity battling an agent inside of the matrix. He and Trinity are madly in love with one another. Morpheus is steadfast in his belief of The Oracle, which doesn't set well with his commander, Commander Lock. Not seen previously in the first 1999 film is the city of Zion, an underground human city that exists outside of the matrix and the machines that control it, but the machines are determined to destroy Zion and its free inhabitants. While the machines unleash an all-out attack upon Zion, Morpheus, Trinity and Neo venture back into the matrix to obtain what they believe is vital information from The Oracle to the dismay of Commander Lock. Along the way, Neo (and the audience) learns much more about the nature of the matrix, it's architect and the many programs that appear human still operating within the matrix, but not under its direct control. The plot of "The Matrix Reloaded" is arguably somewhat weaker than the original 1999 film "The Matrix", but the sequel serves its purpose well of both continuing and expanding upon the original story. The overall story is very similar to Buddhist belief in questioning the nature of reality: the physical world is essentially an illusion, and that each individual must awaken from a dream-like state (i.e., unplugged from the matrix) to obtain enlightenment to see the true nature of reality. Overall, I give "The Matrix Reloaded" a 4-star rating. It is a very entertaining and engaging film, but the first twenty to thirty minutes could have been hastened a bit.
Rating: 
Summary: Sophomore Slump
Review: It's too bad, really. I had hope. But I simply don't see the need for this film. The questioning and yearning of the first film is what made it so wonderful. The sequel tried so hard not to be a smattering of special effects, but it failed. Most of the characters in the first film were asexual. Cipher, the Judas of the group, was the only really libidinous character from the first movie. His desire was portrayed as evil, and so he was killed (Mouse was killed, too for manufacturing the woman in the red dress). Yet soon into the sequel is an uncalled for orgy; likewise, Trinity and Neo are all over each other. These kinds of inconsistent thematic movements from the first to the sequel ruined the film for me. The changes were not at all interesting. This sequel also relied too heavily on telling rather than showing. Remember the first film and the emotion in Morpheous' face when Neo asked him why his eyes hurt? He looks sadly at Neo and tells him that he's never used them before. Story, plot, emotion, etc. were well mixed in the first film. Yes, the first film imparted much information to the viewer, but all of us felt like Neo: New to the ship and new to the real world, we needed an explanation. The sequel doesn't have this grace. Despite some fun fight scenes, this was a mediocre film.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome movie, despite the nay-sayers
Review: I've come to believe that those who disliked this film, simply dislike it because they never bothered to understand the movie. The movie is a wonderful sequel to the first film, as is Revolutions (the two movies were really supposed to be one, but it was too long and so it was split into two movies, a la Kill Bill, and also probably Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). And despite what many uninformed people have said, the sequels were always planned. It was planned as a series, not just one film. The movie is full of great action, incredible special effects, and a wonderful story. It's several years since the first film and the machines are starting to decend on Zion to wipe it out. Neo and his buddies must enter the Matrix to try to find out anything they can to stop it from happening. The movie's mood is much more somber and deep than the first one. It's rife with themes such as the nature of choice and do we actually have free choice, or is everything pre-ordained? Also the conequences of those choices. I will admit the whole love/rave scene in Zion was a bit pointless in an otherwise flawless movie.
Rating:
Summary: *Sniff*
Review: Sry I just got done watching matrix revolutions and it's sad... I don't like it when MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS DIE!!!!! But I'm not telling you who. Anyway, I like reloaded better than the first one. It's more exciting and the DVD has TONS of special features... yep... buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: Overpraised and pretentious.
Review: It's no secret that not so many people liked this film as they did the first. Probably because it was one of the most bloated, self-important mistakes to happen in a long time. Too bad it happened to be a sequel to a highly regarded film. It only ended up getting great reviews from people who thot they should like it, but didn't. None of the fight scenes are exciting. They are frequently pointless and feature only blocking instead of actual impact. Who wants to see that? Plus they only fill the screen with movement rather than something that takes your breath away. That's the problem with the Matrix. It doesn't take place in reality. Therefore the action is unrealistic and unengaging. We can't get close to it if we know it'll never be possible in real life. It ends up being a show of empty effects and an already cliched style. And why exactly should we side with the characters? They are boring, have no personality, one facial expression and why do they always wear shades? There is no point in this. It's an overdone cliche that cool characters wear shades all the time for no reason (Blade, Terminator, MIB) and it only adds to the films belief that it's the King of Supercool. It's not. But it IS full of the biggest words the Wachowskis could find in the dictionary shoved into endless, endless monologues that reek of pomposity and pretension. They probably hoped that confusing the audience would dupe them into believing they were watching something intelligent and deep but it's actually just ridiculously obvious that this film considers itself to be something much higher than it really is. And all this is just even evident with the fact that EVERY line of dialogue is delivered with such sincerity and such conviction (no matter how phoney) that those speaking them believe that it's ALL a ground-breaking revelation that will force the audience to think about it long afterward. Well, most of us ended up laughing and shaking our heads.
Rating:
Summary: Determinism vs. Free Will
Review: I liked the movie...in fact, I liked it a lot. But, I liked the first movie better. There might be a few reasons for this...maybe the whole concept of the matrix and all the ideas were new and interesting then and this movie isn't as provocative on that level, but I think I also liked the first movie because it seemed more organic. The good and the bad were clearly..or at least more clearly, defined. This movie isn't quite that way. But...other than that, this movie was great. A word of caution, there is a sexually explicit scene in the movie...Neo and Trinity...umm...imitate bunnies for a short segment and the population of Zion imitates a rave hopped up on E. Other than that, there really isn't any sex...just lots and lots of violence. The movie is rated R...for the sexuality, violence and the language. So, if you're gonna be upset by those things and you can't look beyond them to see the great philosophic themes of the movie, then don't go see it. Another word of caution: if you're pregnant or have a history of heart problems, this movie probably isn't for you. It is an adrenaline rush from the first 20 seconds until the end. Special Effects: The special effects were amazing. The stunts, explosions, camera angles and everything are just incredible. If you're interested in finding out how they did some of the stuff (such as the "Burly Brawl" scene), you might want to search google for a wired.com article about it. The freeway car/truck/motorcycle chase scene is incredible...I've never seen anything like that before in any movie. The fighting, the choreography...everything is incredible. The movie is unsurpassed in visual goodness. I guess you have to see it to believe it...but it is simply amazing. Philosophy: If you thought the philosophic and messianic and theological themes in the first movie were excessive, this movie isn't for you. Reloaded is totally full of philosophy and theology. From a discussion of salvation between Neo and "the kid" to Neo's outright fight with the idea of determinism that seems to follow the course of the movie. This isn't man against the machines, this movie pits Neo himself against determinism. This movie is all about free will and determinism, and I think the ideas of ignorance in choice will play a major part in the next movie. If you like philosophy, the "boring parts" of the movie (boring according to the people sitting behind me) will be absolutely fascinating. I don't think I missed or zoned out for any of the dialogue...it was so key...even the corny one-liners which one person in particular that I talked to didn't like. Basically, the movie had a lot of stuff that I really liked, and if you like martial arts, fights, guns, cars, philosophy or computers, this is probably a movie you'll want to check out. If you don't like those things, but you do like Keanu Reeves..., you'll want to check this movie (unfortunately you see a lot of him). However, the entire movie seemed sort of inorganic to me. The parts of the first movie that I didn't like were the parts where they were in the "real world" which was the hovercraft flying in and out of weird sewers and stuff and the parts I liked were when they were in the matrix. Unfortunately for me, this movie has a lot of the "real world" scenes... However, other than those few detractions, I enjoyed the movie a whole lot, and I'll watch it over and over and I'm looking forward to seeing Revolutions in an IMAX.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Cinematic Event of Our Time...
Review: There is only one reason why one would not be in total awe of this movie. If a person is not a total fan of this genre, the genre that 'The Matrix' has redefined, then they will not be able to respect the true power of this movie. Even people who do not like this movie will be forced to notice the incredible effects that this movie produces. From the very first usage of the camera rigs in 'The Matrix', all the way to the "rain fight" in 'Revolutions', this series has set a new standard for the way that sci-fi movies will be made from now on. If you do not fully understand the first and second movies, DO NOT spend your money to go see 'Revolutions'! You will be very disappointed! This movie, in order to be appreciated, must first be understood. After you have a good grasp on the series, come and prepare to be blown away with this movie. Star Wars had its decade, we now have 'The Matrix'.
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