Review: The Matrix: Reloaded

By Radar May 16, 2003 12:38 PM

Certainly, it is no secret that Keanu Reeves cannot act. Fortunately, the Matrix franchise doesn?t require him to do so. He wears cool clothes and sunglasses and most of his screen time is spent kicking ass or rolling out dialogue so clunky that it makes acting irrelevant. The rest of the cast, with the notable exception of a couple of the supporting roles, stoops to the occasion, simply stating their lines and posing rather than acting. All this was okay in the first Matrix movie.

Science fiction can get a way with a lot as long as it has consistent internal logic, good special effects and a solid story underlying the more fantastic elements. The first Matrix had all of these. It took us along on a wild ride into a world of transcendent kung-fu, mechanical overlords and indestructible bad guys. And the story was fresh and made sense. It delved into things like perception and reality. When Morpheus explained the way the Matrix worked it struck a chord with us. ?Yes, hell yes,? we said. ?I was thinking something like that just the other day. Right on, Morpheus. Lemme outta this program,? we thought, and strapped in for the ride. But it begged the question: If I had the choice, illusion or reality, which would I chose? And how would I be able to tell the difference?

Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of the original Matrix was that it gave the audience a solid basis for suspending the disbelief invited by wire works martial arts action. Neo and Trinity were able to do things like run along walls because they could bend the rules of the digital universe in which they did battle. It was a representation of the digital world of the hacker and they were its masters. It made perfect sense.

The problem with The Matrix: Reloaded is that the Wachowski brothers apparently forgot about all the things that made the first Matrix work. Like, for instance, a story. A full hour into it we still don?t know exactly what is going on?who is trying to do what and why. Characters are introduced for no other reason than to spout some enigmatic lines of neo-existential philosophy. It seems that the movie just fills time between action sequences. And the action sequences are the same as the sequences in the first Matrix, only more so. That?s not to say they are bad. They are a marvel to watch and there is still a certain grace to the choreography, but they do tend to run on for a long time and go a bit over the top. Watching them is like watching pornography; it?s fun, but rarely is it something we haven?t seen in a prior scene and it does get old. Especially without being in the context of a cohesive story. Essentially, the movie relies on special effects and visual stimulation and that is never enough.

Like a lot of sequels, The Matrix: Reloaded tries to up the ante of its predecessor by creating a larger narrative universe complete with things like political intrigue, war plans and grand councils of some sort or other. The problem with expanding the story (or spreading it thinner, depending on your perspective) is that it requires some downright grueling exposition to bring the audience up to speed. Think Star Wars here. (Yes, it is almost that bad.)

And the internal logical construction of the story is not as strong as in the first. Agent Smith, a computer program, and the most badass of the sentinels, has finally, in the late twenty-second century, figured out how to copy himself. Apparently the skills of software pirates of the late twentieth century had been forgotten for a couple of hundred years. But how could that be? The entire present day world as we know it (including click and drag commands) is contained in the software system known as the Matrix, the very system in which Agent Smith operates with godlike autonomy. It seems that if the copy command was available to him he would have known about it and used it in the first go round.

Perhaps The Matrix: Reloaded should be given a pass on some of these fundamental flaws because, after all, it is not a whole movie. It is simply the first installment of an extraordinarily long sequel. The second half to be released later this year. Some of its shortcomings are addressed, or should I say patched together, in collateral materials like interactive DVD?s and games available for purchase. So I guess if you really want to understand what is going on, you need to peel off a few bills for the privilege of finding out. And, of course, buy a ticket to the second half. It all smacks of a grand marketing plan. The truly amazing thing about the Matrix plan is that it will work. This iteration, like the first, will likely break box office records and spawn a billion-dollar industry in games, action figures and lunch boxes. Perhaps the audience will figure out that it has been duped by the time the second installment of the sequel is released (now doesn?t that sound ridiculous: the second installment of the sequel), but by then the fix will be in. This, from the brothers who demanded creative control in the interest of artistic integrity.

I imagine a series of prequels is next. Like I said, think Star Wars.

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Matrix Reloaded Review critique reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 16, 2003 2:37 PM

Radar, Your problem is that you think too much. Just enjoy the movie for what it is. Don't try to dissect it like you did for any deeper meaning,or whatever.

RE: Matrix Reloaded Review critique reply

Posted by radar (radar@feelthisfilms.com) on May 16, 2003 3:42 PM

No, my problem is much worse than thinking too much. Go enjoy something.

Keanu reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 17, 2003 9:07 PM

Keanu can't act? Dude, bogus.

As for prequels... reply

Posted by Loath (loath@dtheatre.com) on May 17, 2003 10:51 PM

If any more sequels/prequels/anything else are created, it won't be by the Wachowski brothers according to the last paragraph of this.

you need to watch it again reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 18, 2003 6:39 PM

You completely missed most of the plot points, obviously...

Your whole "copy" rant is unwarranted if you actually understood the story.

BTW, Smith isn't a "sentinel", moron.

RE: you need to watch it again reply

Posted by radar (radar@feelthisfilms.com) on May 18, 2003 8:32 PM

I don't need to watch it again. In fact, once was too much. I guess I did miss a little because I was fighting off sleep. You see, To be perfectly frank, the movie SUCKS! It's a piece of sophomoric TWADDLE! The writing is laughable, the direction is strictly by-the-numbers and the acting isn't worth mentioning. The first one had an interesting story and some self-referential parody that saved it from being pretentious, but this one takes itself far too seriously. The only reason to sit through it is to see the effects and those don't break any new ground. It can only be tolerated and talked about with a heavy dose of "it's okay for what it is" in mind-- a somewhat amusing exercise in lowering the bar. Now I understand this is hard to hear for you poor shemps out there for whom the Matrix provides something akin to the foundation of a world-ordering philosophy. I suggest you try to step out of your little Matrix world and see the movie for what it is--an object created by people who make movies. And it is either done well or not(as in this case). It is not a sacred text. It is not speaking to you. It doesn't know you exist.

RE: you need to watch it again reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 19, 2003 2:05 AM

I guess we are all entitled to our own opinion... but one things for sure, some of us wish we had the technology and know how ourselves to make something remotely close to what they did.... and on top of it.... their pulling in mad money. A matrix with all that cash is where I'd like to be ....*smiles*.
an opinion is just an opinion.

Geeks reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 19, 2003 7:37 AM

I love it when geeks argue and bitch-slap each other.

Review reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 19, 2003 8:37 AM

This is why I hate film reviews. All entertainment is subjective. Be it film, electronic games, or even those weird collections of stacked paper covered in words. No two people see the same thing. I will say that I liked 'Reloaded. I didn't have problem with not knowing where Andy and Larry were going with the story. Don't forget that Neo's role in the matrix was revealed in the climax, right where revelations should be found.
So to tie up this diatribe, I will go way out there. There is no such thing as a bad movie, just movies that a given person does not like.

RE: Matrix Reloaded Review critique reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 20, 2003 11:41 PM

radar your close minded and a terrible reviewer

The Matrix Refalution X Coming Soon!!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 21, 2003 11:05 AM

The director of the Matrix told me he's planning on doing a Prequel on the Matrix this year!It would be called the "Matrix Refalution X"!The release date is December 20 2003!That's just great isn't it!He might plan on doing a 4

RE: The Matrix Refalution X Coming Soon!!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 21, 2003 11:58 AM

OH MY GOD tell me you're not joking. My life is now complete, I cannot wait to see this amazing thing. I hope Alex Winter is reunited with Keanu in this one.

RE: The Matrix Refalution X Coming Soon!!!!!! reply

Posted by Loath (loath@dtheatre.com) on May 21, 2003 12:42 PM

Billy, you are dealing with the oddity of time travel with the greatest of ease!

RE: The Matrix Refalution X Coming Soon!!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 22, 2003 6:34 AM

I think it's funny how you described it as being a bit unfair that we have to shell out more money for the 'interactive DVD's and games' if we want to fully understand the whole story. Personally I've quite enjoyed what I've seen of the Animatrix shorts (four of which are actually on the Matrix website to download for free) and the game is pretty fun as well. Just remember, no ones forcing you to spend your money on anything, you still have a choice.

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 29, 2003 10:59 AM

The romers of the Matrix 3 is true.But many people was wrong because it is not going to be a cartoon!Its coming out
December 20,2003!!!!!!!!!But in the 3 one Vin Disell is the main character!!!

The Matrix III reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 29, 2003 11:05 AM

It the next big Matrix ithink it will be goooooooooooooodddddddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 30, 2003 5:10 AM

What romers? If you mean rumors then you're a bit slow because Warner Bros announced years ago that the Matrix would have two sequels, Reloaded and Revolutions. As for Vin 'Disell' I think you're probably 12 years old and therefore shouldn't be watching The Matrix anyway.

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 30, 2003 11:46 AM

You are indeed a retard. The Animatrix is out right now on DVD, it's an add-on product, not intended to be a true sequel. Revolutions is coming out in December, but no Vin Diesel. Go back to sleep, doofus.

The Real Information on The Matrix Revolution reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 3, 2003 1:03 PM

All you people are wrong because I talked to Warner Bros.Inc yesterday and they are
planning to do a third & forth film.And of coruse Vin Diesel is going to be in it.Coming Soon!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 6, 2003 5:10 AM

all you fukin basteds go to hell cos ther is gonna be a vin disil matrix movie an its gonna rock jus like xxx an fat and furious, anyone who says no is gona have a fat ass pole put throo there head be me dick wads!!

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on June 6, 2003 7:39 PM

"Fat and Furious" Sounds like something from SNL.

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 9, 2003 4:56 AM

FAST and the furious moron! Y dont you kiss my ass while i've got the runs!?

RE: The Matrix III Coming Soon!!!!! reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on June 9, 2003 12:13 PM

Runs? You mean those escandinavian mystic stones?

Fuck you i won't do what you tell me!!! reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 12, 2003 5:59 AM

i meen im goin o sh*t on your head amb cos you dont belive wat im teling you!!!!!!!!