"The Matrix Reloaded" review

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Directed byAndy Wachowski Larry Wachowski
Writing credits Andy Wachowski Larry Wachowski

Monica Bellucci.... Persephone
Daniel Bernhardt.... Agent Johnson
Valerie Berry.... Priestess
Laurence Fishburne.... Morpheus
Gloria Foster.... The Oracle
Carrie-Anne Moss.... Trinity
Keanu Reeves.... Neo
Hugo Weaving.... Agent Smith

Neo is GOD. At least he thinks he is. I'm not so sure. He reloads into the Matrix to put an end to all this war nonsense. Neo knows what he's supposed to do because he is a true believer in fate. Fate will guide him to the next scene. Lots of kung fu gets mushed together with ponderings on man and machine's place in the Matrix. It apparently has everything to do with choice. Or maybe it was purpose. Or maybe there is no point and that's the point. The end is the beginning and life is in an endless loop. Philosophy 101 is in session and it's called "The Matrix Reloaded".

Every character knows everything. Every action has been foretold. Everybody is a perfect fighter, lover and philosopher. Suspense drains from the "Matrix" as perfection is dull. The evil computers tried to make a perfect Matrix but it was rejected by the human mind. Why couldn't the filmmakers have learned from the machine's mistake?

I wasn't impressed. Nothing impressed me. That's the saddest thing about this movie. Cars were exploding, slow motion kung fu was happening yet none of it was exciting. Neo fighting all the agents? FAKE! It was obviously a computer graphic doing battle with other F/X. The car chase? Admittedly cool. But it has the same problem that the rest of the flick has. Everybody is perfect and devoid of any emotion. Not a trickle of sweat or a seed of doubt was exerted by any character. They weren't worried about their situation so why should I be? "The Oracle has foretold the rest of the movie. Neo will save us, why get excited?" My thoughts exactly.

So while the action is plentiful, it's not exciting. This was a heartbreaker for me. It was the same effects and action from the first. But what sinks this one is its overdose of philosophical musings on life and meaning in the Matrix.

There was a severe absence of humor in this movie. Everybody was so serious about being perfect that they spent every spare second wondering why they do what they do. They were at least four scenes where some smarmy character explains life to Neo. I thought Neo was GOD. Doesn't he know everything? The slimy guy in the restaurant, the Oracle, the president of Zion and the Orson Welles wannabe at the end all took time out of their schedule to have a therapy session with Neo about choices and purpose and choosing life with a purpose. They bored the audience and explained nothing. Could this movie be more full of itself? AAACCKK! I choked on the pretentious gobbledygook.

Life is left to fate but you have a choice. You can choose to let "The Matrix Reloaded" pass you by.

SCORE: 2 out of 4 false Neo Gods