The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Yawn!
Review: My friends and I made a mistake before watching The Matrix Reloaded: We watched a better movie called Equilibrium. Ironically the first preview we saw before the Matrix Reloaded was for the Equilibrium DVD. lol.

The flaws in Matrix Reloaded were in its hype. It is a bridge movie and nothing more.

This movie's fight scenes except the highway scene were very weak, very impersonal, and so long they began to repeat themselves internally. Not a lot of gun play this time. Basically most of the fights were too long and went nowhere.

I am saddened by what this movie considers to be deep philosophy. It is a weak diatribe where every character involved seems overly mystified by the argument of "Is everything preordained or do we truly have choice in our lives?"

For the action you wanted from this movie watch Equilibrium.

For thinking movies try any Terry Gilliam film or maybe the Razor's Edge (1984). Although Equilibrium makes an attempt at a Farenheit 451/1984 society.

Watch Reloaded if you want to watch a lot of arm blocking by Neo before he plays Superman. Watch it if you want to see a hippie/Goth Rave that goes on far too long. Or watch it for the highway scene! Otherwise watch it matinee so you'll be prepared for the real movie in November.

Rating:
Summary: Suffers the same Fate as Episode I
Review: The Matrix Reloaded will be one of the biggest movies in history, just like Star Wars Episode I. It has special effects that will boggle the mind, just like Star Wars Episode I. It has characters that people will talk about at work, over the internet, and anywhere else. These characters will be debated about why they are in the movie and what there signifigance is to the entire Matrix Trilogy, just like Star Wars Episode I. And this movie will be a let down to so many people out there, just like Star Wars Episode I.
People will go into the theater and think they are about to see something that will change their lives and make them smarter, faster, and more likable. Unfortunately, these people need to realize that it is a movie. The only life changing event this movie will have on anyone is that for two hours they can get away and enter the Matrix with Neo. Then they have to realize that it is over and real life is back.
People went in to Star Wars Episode I like this, thinking they were going to come out as Jedi Knights and save the world from Darth Vader. But nothing happened to them . They set their expectations way to high, and because of that, a great movie like Episode I was trashed. Do yourselves a favor, when you go see this movie, remember it is a movie. That is it. You are not going to be changed on any level to what life is about. If you have the first Matrix on DVD, watch the making of segment. The Wackowski brothers say in it that the Matrix is a comic book movie. Go in to Reloaded thinking that, and you'll probably see one of the best movies in the past ten years. If you go in to the theater thinking that you are going to come out with a better perception and what the meaning to life is, you'll hate this movie. Remember it is a movie, nothing more, nothing less. Let it do it's job, and entertain you.

Rating:
Summary: Free Your Mind :-)
Review: The Matrix reloaded is one of the best sequels I've ever seen, and it has a predecessor that simply a thought-provoking, action stimulating masterpiece. So this one of course has a lot of expectations, too much I think and that's why I think there's a lot of bad and mixed reviews of this movie out there because they are only basing it as Matrix and then Reloaded instead seeing it as a continuation more then a second movie. I like this movie far more then the first one, (I'm into plots and meanings.) I read a lot of reviews about this movie and it was sad that some people didn't like it because it didn't live up to the first or the plot wasn't better, it was same, and I want to write about this in particular.

I think it goes deeper into the plot, the emotions of the characters and the story, it wasn't meant to be better I think, I think it's a continuation of the story, a deeper meaning and understanding of the overall picture, and I think they did a great job displaying the story and putting the action into it and I think it was better if you want to compare then the first.
I don't think it was supposed to have a definite significance in the storyline seeing it was the same, and in order to really judge the film you have to see all three because it's one story, not one story and another in different film, it deepens and expands. I think the only thing you could judge is the action and the quality of the film from the original and this one, the only real critique you can give I think. Action wise I think it surpasses the original as was meant to be, story wise I think it does too because it goes deeper into what the Matrix introduces. I actually felt sympathy for Neo when he was still trying to figure out what's going on or at least know what to do while in Zion, and he clung on to Trinity for support and love. In the Matrix it was like he was thrown in to be the one and he had no say or no emotion towards it, It was like he had to do this despite his personal feelings, if I didn't know any better I think after he found out he really wanted to go back and take that blue pill. I love the references they made from the original and this one. The Little boy saying there is no spoon in the first one and the second one, someone giving him a spoon as a gift, and the scene with Neo and the oracle, he was standing and she offered him a seat, he was hesitant and then he sat down knowing he didn't in the first and he said 'I wanted to sit down' It made me laugh. It had too many high expectations and I think that's the downfall of this movie, you have to look pass that and really see it's meaning and direction, That's all it is... direction and meaning from the first to the last and final one. The first one was extraordinary, the second one adds on to it, the first one was new and the base, that's what makes it so unique and will always be to some degree better then all three and of course the second one because it's only the middle. How it starts and ends, will have more meaning; you won't forget how it starts or how it ends (either bad or good) but we all know deep down it's hard to not forget or at least put Reloaded to the same par as the first. The second was great as a sequel, as an second installment, a movie that provides more information.

To me Reloaded is first one but with more information in my opinion it's not meant to be on it's own, different then the first and better. The second movie is just as extraordinary, I don't think it's suppose to be as impacting as the first since it was the beginning, this one is more about the meaning of the beginning and more. The story to me is what had me more interested in the movie, don't get me wrong I love the action scenes, I was really upset by the fact Neo was kicking butt and at the end the smith's looked up like they weren't hurt at all, it felt like a waste of time. I think you have to understand the meaning and think it's apart of one movie, not by itself, it's not suppose to be better and get pass all the hype and appreciate it for what it is. You see love, faith, and hope, you see religion, philosophy, understandings of self and how you personal view things. It really makes you think and that's what I love about movies, and if you want to look at different perspectives or try to understand your own more about life and philosophy then it's a great movie to view, or if you simply enjoy action that's good too! If you don't understand the movie or the meaning then it's easy just to put it down and say it will never come close to the original, it had me thinking about my own personal views and also to understand the movie's point of view. If you only see it and think of the first movie and then the second and only for the action and hype it is so easy to be disappointed in the second one. It's a love-hate movie depending on the viewer, each person I think can view this movie differently. It's a great sequel and well worth watching. This is only a personal opinion, not right or wrong. Wanted to write more but couldn't

Rating:
Summary: Great great great
Review: I just saw this movie the day it came out and oh my god it was awesome. The action scenes were unbelievable (especially the freeway scene you've probably heard so much about already) and the the whole element of the prophecy and the one begins to come together. All the dialogue confused my friends who saw the movie but it will blow your mind if you begin to understand. The worst thing about the movie is that it ends at such a cliffhanger. So many things happen that need resolution and the movie ends...WWWWWHHHHHYYYYY??!?!?!!? If you stay until the end of the longest credits EVER, you'll be treated to a very exciting trailer for The Matrix Revolutions and that looks just as good if not better as far as I can tell. As far as a comparison to the firstmovie, I can't really choose which one is better. They both are unbelievable but they're also two different movies. The first one focuses more on Neo understanding his destiny and the second one focuses on Neo fulfilling the prophecy. You will be so blasted with philosophy in this movie that you'll have to doublethink a lot of what you hear especially from characters like The Oracle and Agent Smith. Why are you still reading this??? GO SEE IT!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Um...Where Was The Plot?
Review: I just saw The Matrix Reloaded about an hour go, and while it was amazing all the same, I was a little disappointed. First of all, the movie did not really have a strong plot or good acting skills. Of course, there were exceptions, like with Agent Smith and Morpheus, who were awesome. Then there is Keanu Reeves. While a good actor, he is always a little shallow in all of his movie, and sometimes he even comes across as "boring". Now, the main reason to see Reloaded is for its AWESOME visual effects, which will surely knock out a couple of Academy Awards. The chase scenes, the fighting, everything about the effects is awesome! But, as we all know, visual arts can not carry a movie alone. There needs to be a solid plot in there as well. The movie was also quite lovey-dovey with Neo and Trinity, which got to be VERY annoying, unless you are the kind of person who loved Pearl Harbor for its gross romance scenes. Also, Neo and Trinity had sex for at least 5 very loooong minutes. That was also frustrating. And Zion, well, I won't even go there. I was excited to see the hidden city, but this was awful! I couldn't help but think that the Wachowski brothers were trying to deliberately steal elements from the Star Wars films. It was, well, like The Matrix meeting Star Wars. VERY LAME! And could those cavemen look-alikes dance for ANY longer. Come on! There was also too much lovey stuff at the quite exciting end, which really ruined it. Overall, Reloaded is by NO MEANS a terrible movie. It was just not as good as the original title, and the romance really got in the way of this one. If you do see this movie, remind yourself that you are seeing it solely for the visuals, which are great. Don't be disappointed to find a lack of plot and mood. I can only pray that The Matrix series does not take the same route that so many modern sequels to great movies do, and I hope that The Matrix Revolutions will retie the story together. If that can be done, then the series is by no means ruined. If this film had only a better plot, script, and acting ability, then it would be a classic. Unfortunately, it lacked the meat of the film, and that kinda ruined it. Go see it anyway if you are a Matrix fanatic. There is still plenty to get out of this film. My Rating-7.8.

Rating:
Summary: The Matrix Reloaded, or how to ruin a franchise.
Review: Where do I start in describing just how mediocre this movie really is? Well, the only redeeming moments of the movie are its special effects sequences. There really was some original thinking going on when it came to the construction of ornate fight scenes and other visual wonders. But it would not be fair to complement those scenes without also adding that they grew old and tedious, dragged on for seemingly interminable and repetitious minutes. The fight scenes also float in a nonsensical broth that has no suspense or plot to tie them together and make them gain momentum. More on that in a second.

It was a few minutes into the awful "speech" by Morpheus to the unwashed throngs of Zion that I started rooting for the machines. Sad. It was transparent what the writers/directors/producers ("WDPs" for short) had in mind. Like the rest of the film, they tried to embue each scene with symbolism drawn from the Bible and Greek mythology mainly, but other sources, too. The twisting, gyrating bodies were reminiscent of Old Testiment scenes where the worshippers of false idols contort and engage in all manner of sins, only to be wiped off the face of the Earth. If only we could be so lucky here. Like every other scene in the film, this becomes a mish-mash of empty, silly attempts to wrest meaning from the meaningless, to engage in adolescent philosophizing, i.e., dropping the big words but having no damn clue what your saying, and even less of a clue as to how it fits into a coherent life view (or, in this case, coherent story).

Which gets us to the "meat" of this thing. The story is vapid, the dialogue is as bad as the worst of Star Wars Episodes I and II (with which it has much in common, including tedium), the acting is non-existent (you almost want to reach out and punch Morpheus, with his monotone solemnitude, but then you pull back because you realize that there's only so much you can do with a garbage script like this one), and the story-telling so tone deaf and lame--with each moment I kept thinking, "THERE'S SO MUCH MORE YOU COULD BE DOING, SAYING ..." But then you reach a point--about an hour into it, which feels like four hours--where you give up. Where you want it to stop saying anything. To end. To be done. And then you start hoping you can wash it from your memory so that you can go back to the first Matrix and maintain the illusion that Wachowski brothers are smart, interesting, and have something to say.

It's pretty clear they don't. What a mess. What a disappointment. Ever the optimist, I can only hope that the final chapter of the Matrix, due in November, helps heal some of the gaping wounds left by this one.

Rating:
Summary: Socks have been knocked off
Review: I've already watched this movie twice, and I'm thinking of going back for round three. The special effects are the best in history, by a solid margin, and the choreography of the action sequences is also awesome. Parts of the story confused a lot of people (I heard people in the audience say "I need an interpreter" during the climactic dialogue scene), but I followed it pretty well the first time and feel like I have a good grasp of it after the second time. I would not recommend going to it if you have not seen the first one, preferably recently, unless you just want to watch the action scenes and zone out for the rest.
I'd say it's definitely a worthy sequel to the original in action and in storyline. Can't wait till the third comes out.

Rating:
Summary: It Falls Apart
Review: Let me start with the positive. The action scenes are truly astounding, with the audience constantly gasping at the marvels of the actors' capabilities to stage a good fight. Perhaps many of these gasps are for the combination of special effects with the action scenes. It is truly remarkable what is capable in film today in terms of effects. The cinematography as well is done very well, and the sets look remarkable.

Now what is left to the movie, you ask? Well the plot, of course. The original had a solid, fast-paced plot that was easy to follow and astoundingly enjoyable, which unfortunately, is not the case with this film. The audience that walks in to the theatre doesn't expect much building on the original concepts. Too bad the Wachowskis didn't think this way.The character's actions are unjustified. They themselves are unaware of where their actions are leading them, greatly confusing the audience.

Rating:
Summary: Reloaded? What the [heck] was being reloaded?
Review: First things first. The movie was decent, but by no means great. I think everybody knows the movie is left at a cliffhanger, but what people should realize is this movie was only half of a script. It was too blatant to me that the Watchowski Brothers were more interested in trying to get their names into records by having two blockbuster sequels in one year. After the third movie, I'm sure I'll be able to look back and see both could've just been done in one movie, instead of two movies. I expected to see a full movie out of this at least, but alas I was not happy. The fight and action sequences were too long in some areas... and I do not mean long as in one or two minutes, but we're talking over ten minutes!!! There's also one major unnecessary scene which lasts about ten minutes as well. The extra scenes and extended scenes only served to detract from the film and show one how little of a script there was. The action was great, but there's a point when it becomes too much. Sadly this movie survived on the fights, as when the dialogue scenes came to... it was like a dead stop in the movie from the frenetic pace set by the action. Also stay till the end for the trailer for 'Revolutions' if you so desire. All-in-all, it's still a great action movie, but if you're looking for a deeper plot or human interaction, then look elsewhere. This is a popcorn movie, so grab some and set back. Keep your mind in neutral and watch the fists fly!

Rating:
Summary: It is there.
Review: Neo (Keanu Reeves) can fly? This is revealed in the previews--so I am not giving anything away. The problem is that this ability, along with a few others, is never explained in the movie. And it bugs me that in another scene, Neo receives a gift and is told--'He said you would know what it means'. Some jerk sitting behind me said what it was before Neo even opened it...for something as significant as this gift is supposed to be, it never comes back. It looks like 'Reloaded' should actually be movie number three--'Reloaded' does suffer from the 'middle movie curse'. No doubt a lot of viewers will see it as nothing more than a set up for the concluding episode (due in November). But I do want to give it a little credit. The effects are good, and the violence is tame. I enjoyed the story, even though it feels like the first hour fell to the cutting room floor. One fight scene is pointless until it is over; then its necessity becomes clear. I like all of the new characters. I hope they get more development in 'Revolution'. Of course, the ending is lame; but I really did not expect anything different. Just blame it on the 'middle movie curse' and move on with your life.