Rating: 
Summary: Good sequel
Review: Matrix Reloaded surpassed my expectations immensly. I was expecting an overly hyped movie like XXX, but it was anything but. The movie opens with a lame action scene with Trinity jumping off a building shooting at an agent. I assumed this was a sign of things to come, as the special effects looked horrible and the scene itself wasn't very intruiging (at least not for an opening scene). Although the movie started off on a bad note it started to increase in pace and also became quite interesting. The action scenes were brilliant even though it was all special effects, and I am not a big fan of action sequences but I thought this movie had some fantastic action bits. The park bench fight and the highway scene were standouts. The choreographing for the fight sequences were excellent, even though Keanu Reeves looks pretty silly. Another interesting aspect of the movie was the number of subtle philosophical messages included. The first Matrix's philosophical messages are pale in comparrison to this film. You will have to watch this movie a couple of times before you really start recognizing the philosophies. The downward spiral of the movie began after the highway chase sequence. There is a lot of talk (done mainly by a character called the Architect), which is too much for an audience to comprehend in such a little time frame. The directors could have tried to space the revelation out through out the the movie instead of keeping it for the end. Hugo Weaving and Laurence Fishbourne were terrific in their roles. Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann Moss didn't impress me too much, but I suppose that is the kind of performance that was required out of them. The directing is splendid, as is the lighting, especially during the park bench scene. All in all, a very entertaining film, I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are into philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: No Lightening Again, But Still Worth Watching
Review: There are so many reviews already here, loving the film, or hating it, so let's make it clear first. You either love "Reloaded", or hate it, or ... just shrug your shoulder and say "Well, it's just OK." Whatever you react, please remember, it's a sequal to the original "The Matrix" about which few people at first showed high expectations four years ago (then Keanu's name was almost forgotten, and the time was just before the release of much anticipated "Episode I.") Now the table is turned, and it is Wachowski Brothers' turn to match our expectations which went higher than never before.Did they succeed? Mostly yes. Mostly, because some parts of the first sequal is so boring and uninspired. Okay, the plot itself is what you might expect from the ending of the original, and there's nothing wrong about that. The biggest problem about the film (for me, anyway) is the additional factors to the film's saga -- especially the inside images of Zion, for instance. After watching these ultra-cool posters of "Reloaded," you might wonder what the filmakers were thinking when they decided on the present designs of this legendary city. They should have kept it behind the misty curtain, instead of the Rider Haggard-like "city" where Lawrence Fishburne must be dressed like Imhotep from "The Mummy." Except the ghost-like twins who show nice tricks in action sequences, few characters are not impressive (so far), so don't expect much from Monica Bellucci or Jada Pinkett though they might be given another chance to donimate the screen. More interesting is Agent Smith, who is no longer creepy; instead, he looks sometimes a bit comical. I mean, if you get an army of Mr. Smiths in your dream, it's not scary any more -- it's even funny, but probably that is the point. Actions are simply great, hair-raising car actions on highway in particular, so we have no reason to complain here. CGIs are great if overused, but if you're to be disappointed, it is only because we are no longer surprised by Neo's high jumping or Trinity's scorpion kick. During these four years we have seen many of these types of actions, and much better ones too (sorry, but it's true, isn't it?) mainly coming from Hong-Kong masters of martial arts. Ironically, Jet Li, doubtless one of the best fighters, is starring in Hollywood films such as "Cradle 2 the Grave" produced by Joel Silver, the same guy behind the production of "The Matrix." Is that intentional? The ending is abrupt, but that obvious weakness should be excused. That happened to the "Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back" so let's wait for "The Matrix Revolution." It's not a bad idea for us to wait till then and give our final verdict.
Rating:
Summary: lots of action scenes and special effects
Review: This movie is everything that I wanted it to be. Lots of action scenes and special effects. That's all I cared about and the movie is great if you like lots of action. I didn't care too much about the plot or about Neo being the one or whatever. Its a great movie if your into action and special effects. I, personally liked it. Of course it does have its lows, like when they had those sex scenes. Why did they have to put it in there? Anyway, after that is over with the movie is great. I, also didn't like the cave "club" scene. It was a little odd. Anyway, the movie is a fun popcorn flick.
Rating:
Summary: |4| Sets the new standard in action movies.
Review: Action movies will never be the same. The wanna-be directors will not be able to copy the Matrix anymore; Reloaded's effects and action sequences are too amazing, expensive and advanced. When I say 'amazing', I mean it. Take any action sequence you have seen, and it would look like a game of thumb-wrestling compared to Reloaded. The special effects, martial arts, use of weapons, vehicles, everything... it is all mind-blowing and out-of-this-world. The new standard has been set indeed. But what about the acting? Pacing? Story? Characters? Don't worry, it is all fine and dandy, but definently not perfect. The first half of the movie in particular takes you in to Zion, and unfortunately, it does drag on a bit too long, especially the rave/sex scene. The pacing of the movie is geared toward action, so expect lots of it. As for the story and characters, the rabbit hole has gotten alot deeper. The story has not 'changed', rather it has become much deeper, and for some, much more confusing. But if you can pay attention, you should have no problem understanding the plot; I know I didn't. Some new characters are introduced as well, such as Niobe and Command Lok. Unfortunately, both of these characters are not exactly very good actors, but you probably won't tell, or even care for that matter in this movie. Is Reloaded better than the first? Not necessarily. To me, they are equal. Reloaded rises far above the first in terms of action and special effects, while the first still was a bit more interesting in it's story; however, this is also due to the fact that the Matrix was a very new and original movie when it came out. Reloaded is a worthy sequel indeed, and accomplishes what many sequels fail at: being good. Go see it immediately with an open-mind. Be prepared for jaw-dropping special effects, action, and a brain-twisting story. Thumbs way up.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: Well, if your poison is a mish-mash no-concept action-packed computer-generated nightmare, then this film is for you! Keanu just gets worse and worse every time I see him. The film plays like an advertisement for trenchcoats and cool sunglasses, tweaked over and over and over again by endless vapid special effects. This is not film-this is the MTV generation's answer to entertainment, so far removed from human concerns it's not funny.
Please, PLEASE, do not waste your money. Go see Rugrats, or any child's film, and you will get more satisfaction than from
'Matrix reloaded', which should have been titled 'Matrix Revolting'.
Rating: 
Summary: What were you expecting?
Review: Yes, it's a new Matrix movie, meaning you get a stylish blend of cyberpunk, confusing (or confused) predestinarian philosophy, cool sunglasses, and action. Lots of action. Yes, it does rather dominate the movie. And Keanu Reeves might be the most wooden actor since William Shatner. No, there won't be any noticeable character development. If you can't accept that this is basically a live action comic book, you won't enjoy it. For those who can dig it, there's a lot to like. It should be noted that The Matrix Reloaded has got to rate as one of the greatest action flicks of all time. You'll be reminded of action sequences in the Mad Max, Terminator, and Star Wars movie series, but this movie surpasses them all. As far as story, you get a more complex Matrix universe this time around. Instead of a simple machines vs. man scenario, this time we learn that there are different forces in the machine world with their own agendas. More of the truth about the Oracle and about Neo is learned. A whole new reality is suggested at the end of the movie. Many people have criticized the orgy/rave scene. Admittedly it is rather silly, and music video-ish, but I kind of liked it just for the incongruity of such a scene being inserted into a mainstream Hollywood summer action flick. It also reminded me of a time when science fiction movies were more sexually frank, as in 70's offerings such as A Boy and His Dog, Zardoz, and Logan's Run. As far as science fiction goes, many have also criticized the realism of the Matrix universe. Well, I don't believe the purpose of science fiction is to be realistic. Great science fiction occurs when a writer comes up with a great "what if" question. One of the acknowledged great science fiction writers, Philip K. Dick (a probable influence on the Matrix writers) wrote great "what if" stories that were scientifically preposterous, and in fact had little internal logic. The Matrix, and now Matrix Reloaded have posed an interesting enough "what if" question to qualify as at least decent sci-fi in my book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite As Good As The First, But Still A 5-Star Effort
Review: Within months of its release, everyone had copied and parodied the startling new effects of the original "Matrix." It will be years before anyone can possibly duplicate or re-use any of the dazzling new effect seen in "Reloaded," the second of an excellent trilogy that presumes that the world we live in is a virtual creation, with rules that can be bended. What effects, you may have asked. Well, bullet-time (the effect where the camera rotates, giving a 360-degree capture of a shot) gets a major upgrade. Now, the characters caught in bullet-time aren't merely frozen; they get to move, kick, etc., and the rotation seems to be able to move not just in a wavy circle, but up, down and any which way. During the spectacular highway chase finale, the camera seems unhindered by anything, following Trinity and the Keymaster on a motorcycle and going RIGHT THROUGH a truck, continuing a chase scene. It's almost as if you were in a video game, watching in uninhibited first-person mode. The CGI graphics make the efforts in Spiderman look like they were a first draft of that technology. Pacing? Slow at first, picking up rapidly in the end, with a pre-climax pause that you'll need to pull out a pen and take notes from. The first Matrix will remain superior, plot and pace-wise, but this movie may be that sacrificial lamb in the trilogy, that leaves loose ends in the plot that will have to be tied up in the third movie. Just looking out for the guys (and maybe the ladies): the tastefully done Trinity-Neo love scene ends up a bit "cheeky" on the Neo side, if you get my drift. Watch it, and if you want to stay past the credits to see the trailer for the "Matrix: Revolutions," you'll be there a good 10 minutes waiting for a million names to roll by. Watch it, now. The third one's knocking on your local theater's door.
Rating:
Summary: Let's face it - The movie is far from perfect
Review: The Wachowski brothers expanded the anime formula from the original movie. They got some achievements and some flaws too. Love or hate it. I rate this one with 4 stars because still I think the Wachowski brothers followed the right path on the sequel, even the movie itself is slow and not as exciting as an action movie.
Rating:
Summary: it is only half of a movie
Review: I waited a couple of weeks after the release of The Matrix Reloaded so that the crowds would die down. In this time my expectations for the movie have been lowered from the amount of negative and disappointed reviews I have heard and seen for this movie. I still remembered the pertinent story from the Matrix so that I would have no problem in following what was going on in the sequel. The expectation that I had was that this is the middle movie of a trilogy and also it is really only half of a movie (the other half being Revolutions). I knew that Reloaded would expand upon the first movie and that it would be ultimately incomplete as it is only setting up the action and plot for Revolutions. This is what anyone should know when watching Reloaded. The first movie was a straight up action movie with some depth to the story. Reloaded is the reverse. The focus is on the story presented in the Matrix and expands and twists what we know and think we know about that world. The action is secondary to the story and is driven by the plot. Characters in Reloaded do not have conversations, they discuss the deeper meaning of their lives and how it relates to the matrix. I think this is why some reviews have come in a bit negative. All dialogue is weighty and driven by the philosophies of the matrix and Zion. Everything is spoken as if there is a great importance in their words. This makes the dialogue ring hollow, but we get the deeper story this way. Reloaded is an expansion on the first Matrix movie. It is set some time after the first movie. As the movie begins, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus are returning to Zion after being outside for some time (this is not their first time in Zion). Neo has been having dreams, like a premonition of things to come. His dream is of danger to Trinity. Morpheus continues to believe that Neo is the One and that he alone will fulfill the prophecy and save Zion and humanity. At the same time, we also know that thousands and thousands of Sentinels are drilling to Zion intent on destroying the city and all who inhabit it. Neo must seek out the Oracle to see what to do next. The stakes have been raised and the danger to Zion and Neo & co. is greater. The action sequences were impressive, of course, but there was no true tension for me. The reason is that after the first movie, Neo has been built up as nearly unstoppable. He is able to manipulate the matrix so that his powers are inhuman and he can take down an Agent (as no human can do). So, even during the Burly Brawl when Neo is fighting a hundred Agent Smiths, there is no tension. I can't believe that he is really in danger. The same goes with later fights Neo is in. In the first movie, there was a real threat to Neo's well being with each battle. In Reloaded, there is no threat. Neo is the One and there is nothing that can truly stop him, and we know this coming in to the movie. There is tension with Trinity, Morpheus, and Zion. These people (and Zion, the city) are truly in danger and so I can believe that threat is real and the action with these characters has more tension. However, the movie undermines all this near the end with three actions and while I'm not going to spoil the movie by revealing what they are, they serve to reduce the level of threat and tension of the entire movie and perhaps of the next movie (which I'm still looking forward to). I can't say that Reloaded was a let down, because I had a reduced expectation of it. I am really glad I went to see it, and I did enjoy it. It was visually impressive, but it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be. This is a mostly positive review and I think the Wachowskis did as good a job as possible. In one sense, they wrote themselves into a corner with expanding the first movie, and raised unreasonable expectations. Also, it must be understood that this is only half a movie. How Revolutions turns out will determine how good Reloaded really is. Reloaded can't exist on its own.
Rating:
Summary: Genius!
Review: This movie is amazing. It's pure art. Completely perfect. How can you critisize a masterpiece, the movie is beyound that. Like another reviewer said, it's a whole not a bunch of sequels. And so beautiful, the colors, the music, everything. A classic.
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