Rating: 
Summary: Reloaded, recharged, and renergized!
Review: There are no spoilers here. However, the only reason this doesn't get a 5 is because it's not a complete movie. It's part of a 2-part film (the second half- revolutions -coming out in November). But anyway, where do I begin? Such a wonderful film and in many ways they've made an amazing departure forward in the level of special effects than from the first film. I was routinely floored watching the level of detail and accuracy of continuity in the various fight and action sequences. This really is an amazing piece of work! One thing we see is a bit more character development which is nice. We meet new characters who play a very important role and we also learn more about existing characters from the last film....those being the Oracle, Morpheus, and the Agent that we all hate! We learn more about Zion...in fact, we get to see Zion. This really does add to the sequel experience because it's as if we never really ended the story of the matrix after the first film. I really do have to touch on the action sequences. They are a visual joy to watch and run for significant periods of time. It's amazing that between the choreography, the computer graphics, the music, and the editing, it all seemlessly seems to come together perfectly. The dialogue worked out well too. None of those cheesy-one liners that many sequels have. They kept that to a bare minimum yet there was still good humor, and time to share a tear, grit your teeth, move to the edge of your seat....gosh, the time just flew by watching it. Important note: Please, make sure you sit far back from the screen on this one. If you're going to see this while it's still new, be sure to ask how many seats are left at your showing if buying at the door because there's just so much going on on the screen your head is not going to be able to concentrate on it all. It'll just ruin it. Sit back, way back and just enjoy the ride...
Rating: 
Summary: big let down
Review: oh my god was pretty much all i could say when the matrix reloaded ended. this movie is possibily the most hyped movie of 2003. and this movie sucks. the special effects were good the fight scenes were ok, but they lacked the breathless excitment of the first movies fights. overall this movie was a very disapointing sequel. the ending as u may all ready no is really not an ending at all i found it extremely disatisifying. also the sex scene and dance scenes (which i presume is why it is rated R) really detract from the movie. they served almost no purpose. if not for the hype and great movie people were expecting this would have been an ok movie. but i really belive that warner brothers [messed] up on this. all i can say is that when revolutions comes out later this year it better be the best damn movie ever. if u really want to see a great movie wait for revolutions to come out this november or better yet go rent the first matrix.
Rating:
Summary: big let down
Review: oh my god was pretty much all i could say when the matrix reloaded ended. this movie is possibily the most hyped movie of 2003. and this movie [is bad]. the special effects were good the fight scenes were ok, but they lacked the breathless excitment of the first movies fights. overall this movie was a very disapointing sequel. the ending as u may all ready no is really not an ending at all i found it extremely disatisifying. also the sex scene and dance scenes (which i presume is why it is rated R) really detract from the movie. they served almost no purpose. if not for the hype and great movie people were expecting this would have been an ok movie. but i really belive that warner brothers [messed] up on this. all i can say is that when revolutions comes out later this year it better be the best ... movie ever. if u really want to see a great movie wait for revolutions to come out this november or better yet go rent the first matrix.
Rating: 
Summary: Reloaded, reworked again amazing!
Review: The year is 1999, millions frock around the world to see a film that had surprisingly little hype considering it being one of the highest grossing films of all time. 'The Matrix' changed what the audience saw as special effects; bullet time, computer animation and intense wire-work. These were three elements that took the world by storm, making 'The Matrix' not only a cult hit, but a worldwide one. So were the majesty and brilliance of these new elements in cinema that people of all ages were seeing the film as a spectacle of modern culture as a film. Admittedly I was rather trepidatious about 'The Matrix: Reloaded'. No matter how many times I heard there would be new effects we've never seen before, no matter how many times I read of the original concept being a trilogy; I couldn't help but feel part of the magic would be lost. One of the things that made the first film so amazing was the shock and awe it created, so knowing the kind of things the audience were in for would part two in this trilogy evoke the same emotions from me? The answer is a resounding 'absolutely' as I plan in my head when I will next venture to the theatre to see it again. For those who have not yet seen 'The Matrix' I must say 'The Matrix: Reloaded' is not a good place to start, it really demands a viewing of the original film to appreciate the intricate storyline. In this next episode in the trilogy the last human city Zion is under attack by the machines. They are slowly drilling through the earth to launch an assault on the city. Without giving too much away it is again Neo's job to jack back into the Matrix and find a way to destroy the machines once and for all, though it won't be easy with Agents, evil Twins and a hundred agent Smiths all looking to destroy 'The One'. Reprising their original roles in 'The Matrix: Reloaded' are Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving along with some new faces Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobi and Anthony Wong as Ghost. If you thought Keanu Reeves extended himself as an actor in the original 'Matrix' then wait until you see this one. All the performances are top shelf; for such an outlandish theme none of the performances are what you would expect if it were B grade actors, doing a B grade sci-fi film. It also allows the characters and relationships to evolve further than the first film as no introducing themes or characters is needed. The well defined characters of the first film are extended in this second chapter as the audience learns more about their past making them more 'human'. Directed with great care by the Wachowski brothers it is clear how the film has evolved from conception to realization. Many of the shots are framed with such vision they could just have easily been paintings by an artist. It's refreshing to see directors take care with their shot selection, not merely parking a camera in a two shot and leaving the actors to create the ambience. The audience is aware of the characters emotions far before they open their mouths. Now that I have prattled on about performances and direction the fun part of special effects. Again to give too much away would be a sin. But what I can say is that 'You aint seen nothing yet' the scope and enormity of fight seems, the amazing computer animation everything blends seamlessly so a viewer truly will have trouble distinguishing what ware wire based and what was fight choreography. This is the aim of any visual effects engineer, to make his or her work so complete the audience doesn't have time to question its authenticity. The overall effect of 'The Matrix: Reloaded' is mind blowing, make sure you get a drink because your jaw will have dropped for so long your mouth will dry out. An amazing sequel, rivaling the first film for brilliance in all areas. If you loved 'The Matrix' you will have already seen this film, if you haven't seen the original watch it before coming to the theatre to catch this one and if you hated the first film see 'Matrix Reloaded' just to keep in touch with the way visual effects are going in modern cinema; a brilliant achievement all around.
Rating:
Summary: Get Ready To Be Reloaded....or blown away at the very least
Review: The Matrix Reloaded has a lot of hype to live up to, and I am happy it doesn't buckle under all the pressure. The film is a technological wonder. The camera angles and computer effects are mind-exploding and jaw dropping. I came out of the theater practically in shock from the amazing, and skillfully excuted action sequences. Of course, the story is so-so, and the dialogue is all surface, and nothing underneath. But, I must reccommend the film to anyone curious because of the excellent direction and dedication the actors had to master their stunts. Basically, The Matrix Reloaded is what everyone should expect. It is no better or worse then the first. It is on the same level pretty much. The third Matrix should be a very very interesting final chapter, because this is one ... of a second act to follow...
Rating:
Summary: The Messiahhood of Neo is Just Another Mechanism of Control
Review: Rather than write another synopsis of the film, there are three important aspects of The Matrix: Reloaded that I want to mention. First, I really think that the Wachowski brothers took their Gnostic neo-Platonism to another level, perhaps even mortally wounding the original assumption behind the first movie that posited an illusional world (the Matrix) v. the 'real' world of Zion, Morpheus, et al. In Reloaded, there are definite hints that this binary dichotomy is itself an illusion of the machines used to manipulate the more chaotic and free willed facets of human nature. For example, Morpheus evangelical zeal for Neo's position as "the One" is completely vanquished in the final scenes of film to be replaced by a violent disruption of belief. It seems all that messiah ideology was really just another (be it more sophisticated) system of control that is integral to the Matrix. I found the way the machines use the prevailing human conditions of absolute faith and the need for a messiah figure as the subtle yet, perhaps, most devastating tool to maintain the order within Matrix as the philosophical highlight of an already cerebrally dense film. The fact that the lead human characters find a moment of painful liberation at the destruction of the Neo as Messiah paradigm really moves point(s) of the Matrix trilogy closer to the current of postmodern thought only hinted at and mostly obscured by the Neo-Platonism and (Gnostic) Christian elements of the first film. I think that there is some connection to this shift and the scene where the Oracle (I still call her that for want of a better term- Mother of the Matrix still rings a little awkward) offers Neo a new 'red pill', only now she calls it candy and teasing eats it in front of him without any transformation taking place. Perhaps she is commenting on the fact that the 'real' world isn't that different from the Matrix. That the hierarchy and separation of the two worlds is itself an illusion - this is the stuff of classic postmodernism. Second, it is extremely refreshing to see the demographics of Zion actually reflect the racial composition of human with a degree of accuracy. It is interesting that the demographic composition of the Matrix remains more like that of Oslo, Norway while Zion looks like downtown Havana, Cuba. Cornell West's cameo shows that the Wachowski brothers are definitely up on their race relations literature. Finally, I suggest you pay close attention to the televisions screens behind Neo during his tête-à-tête scene with the Architect. I got a good laugh to see Dubya and Rumsfeld juxtaposed with other baddies of history.
Rating:
Summary: It's about the STORY
Review: Forget everything you've ever seen (with the possible exception of The One) and see this film with an open mind. Consider this to be as much a defining character as how movies are made in the future as the original Matrix impacted everything that came after it. Expect to be impressed, actually LISTEN to the dialoge and remember the cohesive element of this movie is that it continues to tell the story.
As a huge fan of the orignal Matrix (and Stephen King) I was totally immersed in the story the Wachowski brothers were telling. I loved the way they developed their characters, got you to love or hate them, and believe the world they lived in.
The Matrix Reloaded reunites you the same gut emotion you had from first film and carries you to where the characters should be next. If you remember the story, the original premises and conclusions, you won't be disappointed. Of course, amid the hype and anticipation of this flick, that can be really easy to lose sight of. If you haven't noticed, I have no intention of revealing any details of the movie, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. I will tell you it was one of the most visually spectacular 2 hour thrill rides I have ever been on. The special effects all but defy description. The fight sequences were mind numbing. Amazing. Pure adrenaline. I don't think anything I've read about this movie has not mentioned the freeway scene so I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that it was worth the price of admission all by itself. The actors were superb. Laurence Fisbourne played a very credible Morpheus, the man continuing to believe and fight the good fight. Who would believe Keanu Reeves is the same guy from those abysmal "Adventure" movies? If this is any indication he is going to be around for a LONG time. Carrie-Anne Moss once again proves you don't have to be over or atificially developed or underdressed to ooze, SCREAM sensuality. I was surprised and delightd to see Gina Torres in brief but memorable role (but then, I'm always delighted to see Gina Torres; do you hear me Hollywood? This woman needs a vehicle!!!) If you're the type who just wants to see butt whooping and stuff blowing up, the movie may have some slow spots for you. But they are essential to the STORY and add depth to total experience. Movie of the year/summer? Hard to say - it early yet and Revolutions is just six short months away.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Even better than the 1st - I saw the first preview on Wednesday night at 10pm - before it was released on Thursday. I am going to see it again and then buy the DVD when it's released.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: oh god, it's disgusting how impressive this movie was. visually, obviously, it was the biggest movie released until Matrix: Revolutions. even the story, though, stayed strong, even for all the flashiness. granted, at times, it really did take a back seat to the action, but we still got all the story development we needed and some very interesting plot twists...i just hope the Architect gets some more play.
Rating:
Summary: The Matrix Reloaded
Review: Great film meets expectations set by the 1st Matrix release. Is worth a 2nd viewing at the theater. Cant wait to see the 3rd in November.
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