|
After more than four years since The Matrix
hit movie theaters, the sequel arrives. The Matrix Reloaded takes
place six months after the first film and begins with the revelation that
the machines are digging strait toward Zion with an army of sentinels, one
for each man, woman, and child. This information initiates two battles
against time for the human race.
Our heroes, Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne),
Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Neo (Keanu Reeves) return to fight the
battle of faith within the Matrix, believing the path of ‘the One,’ Neo,
will bring about the end of the war, fulfilling prophecy. Not everyone
believes in the prophecy or supports the path of ‘the One.’ Therefore, the
second race against time is in preparing Zion’s defense against the imminent
machine invasion.
Upon receiving word from the Oracle (Gloria
Foster), Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo embark on the search for the Keymaker
who can lead ‘the One’ to the Source, ending the war. What may seem like a
simple task is made complicated by the Merovingian, a program in the form of
an arrogant Frenchman who asks more questions than he gives answers. Hosts
of baddies complicate things for our heroes including ‘upgraded’ agents and
the Merovingian’s ghost-like bodyguards. Agent Smith returns as well and has
found a way to replicate himself and wreak havoc upon the Matrix and the
real world.
When compared to the scope of the first film,
which was very narrow, this sequel is explosively expansive. In fact, it is
so broad the film can’t wrap up all its loose ends in a single movie. It
just stops in the middle, waiting for The Matrix Revolutions to end
the story. The Wachowski Brothers are very clear in stating that Reloaded
and Revolutions are one single movie. I don’t buy it.
Reloaded has
a main theme: Does reality consist of cause and effect only, or is there
really such a thing as free will? If this theme was just wrapped up nice and
tight, the movie would surpass the first in every way. Instead, Reloaded
ends in an extremely pitiful cliffhanger, forcing everyone to see the third
film. But chances are, we would have seen the final installment anyway!
In all, Reloaded is a great sequel to the
original Matrix. Its flaws are minor and mostly deal with the ending,
or lack of an ending. Acting is equal to the first, and special effects are
on par as well. What is disappointing is the first film invented the bullet
time photography and practically shot the scenes. In Reloaded all the
“bullet-time” effects were done in the computer, none were practical.
The CGI technology is not able to reproduce a
photo-realistic human yet, so these "bullet-time" shots do not have the
impact of the original film. Specifically, watch for the computer version of
Neo during his battle with one hundred, yes...100 Agent Smiths. Regardless,
Reloaded makes the most improvements in the area of CGI humans thus
far.
The best thing about Reloaded is its
delivery of more Matrix goodness. Special effects, action, pounding
techno music, and story are all more impressive than the first. Most every
aspect of the original film is represented and expanded in the sequel. The
highlight of the film is a twelve-minute freeway chase that is absolutely
stunning.
But a moment of caution: when Neo arrives at the
source, be prepared for a lot of information to be dumped in your brain. Too
much. In fact, you’ll probably have to watch the film again to fully
understand. it all.
The Matrix Reloaded
is a great film and comparable sequel, and a must see. |
