Review: Mind-Blowing 'Matrix Reloaded' Not Free Of Faults
Film Has Amazing Visual Effects, But Story Lags
POSTED: 7:48 a.m. EDT May 14, 2003
'The Matrix Reloaded' (R)
(out of four)
If a special effects feast is what you want, then the hotly anticipated "The Matrix Reloaded" will not disappoint. Not only is the film loaded with mind-blowing visuals, they are without question among the best effects put on screen to date.
But, sorry to say, the story underneath those visuals in "Reloaded" makes you feel half empty -- and that's not a good thing when there's the third chapter of the "Matrix" film trilogy, "The Matrix Revolutions," due in six months.
The main thing working against "Reloaded" is that, unlike its predecessor, it didn't have the advantage of quietly creeping up to us without any 800-pound gorilla-like expectations. Not only was the original "Matrix" the most pleasant film surprise of 1999, it really has become a modern classic.
With the perfect marriage of an ingenious script, remarkable martial arts choreography and groundbreaking visuals, filmmaking brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski redefined the increasingly stale science fiction movie genre with "The Matrix" -- and effectively created an original vision that's almost impossible to live up to. Only the freest of minds will be able to overlook the sequel's faults and say that it surpasses the original.
Appropriately, "The Matrix Reloaded" starts in the mind of Neo (Keanu Reeves) who is troubled by a clouded vision he has about fellow freedom fighter Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), whom he coupled with at the end of the first film.
But his love of Trinity is not the only thing on Neo's mind. That's because as we discovered in the first film, Neo is "The One" -- a human prophesized to free his people from the Matrix -- a computer program protected by a Machine Army that enslaves his fellow humans in a seemingly "normal" world.
The battle against the machine is one of the major drives behind "Reloaded," although a considerable amount of time is devoted to Neo questioning his purpose as "The One." He better figure it out fast, because the underground world Zion -- the last human enclave on Earth -- is facing an attack of 250,000 Sentinel units of the Machine Army.
While "The Matrix" comprehensively explained the motivation of the machines and the fight rebels like Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity launched against it to free Neo's mind, "Reloaded" sets out to expand upon the story of where they came from. That comes in an elaborate visit to Zion, which is occupied by humans who have had also their minds set free of the Matrix.
And while the new world to which we're introduced has a visually intricate look to it, the purpose of why we're spending so much time there is questionable.
The introduction to Zion takes place over a laboriously uneventful 45-minutes after the film's explosive opening sequence, and for the most part it comes off as a waste of time. It seems that it shouldn't have taken so long for the Wachowskis to say that a: there's dissention in the ranks over Morpheus' unwavering belief in the Oracle's (Gloria Foster) prophecy that "The One" will end the war with the machines; and b: that machines, while clearly the enemy in one respect, are really necessary in another if the humans with freed minds are to survive.
Sure, it also gives the film a chance to introduce new characters, including Capt. Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), who has a past with Morpheus and Capt. Lock (Harry Lennix), whom Niobe has now taken up residence with -- but even they don't develop into anything substantial. Presumably, there's more to come them from in "Revolutions."
But the biggest misstep in the opening hour is a drawn-out love scene between Neo and Trinity. Sure, the pair is gorgeous together; it's just that a concept as smart as the original "Matrix" shouldn't have to resort to such screen over-used screen conventions to engage an audience. I'm not a prude, it's just to see Neo and Trinity in the company of one another -- to see their natural chemistry at work even in a simple conversation -- is electrifying enough to establish their unity. The last thing we need is a throwaway sex scene to tell us any different.
While some choices falter, other developments, personnel wise, are quite welcome in "Reloaded." Among them is the return of Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), who was seemingly obliterated by Neo in the first film. But instead of being deleted from the system, Smith has not only found a way to come back after Neo, he's able to replicate himself -- and what ensues is a jaw-dropping martial arts scene that pits the adversaries. There are other agents joining the action, too, throughout the film, who are now the beneficiaries of an upgrade.
What's better yet, the visual extravaganza of "The Matrix Reloaded" really doesn't kick into gear until after Neo and Agent Smith's elaborate fight scene. Among the adrenaline-pumping highlights is arguably the best chase scene ever put on film. It involves Morpheus, Trinity and a pivotal character in the film's later stages, who are all on the run from a pair of albino-like dread-locked twin henchmen who have the power to transform into electrified specters of themselves.
While the visual effects have a distinctly familiar feel to them (they should -- because they've only been ripped off or parodied since the first film's release), the Wachowskis smartly avoided any deliberate repeats (ala Neo dodging bullets) of the visuals from the first film. They do, however, heavily build upon Neo's flying ability (smartly referred to the "Superman thing") that was provided the scorching ending to the first film, which is a welcome, thrilling addition.
While the greater part of the last half of the film is visually stunning, intermittent with the scenes are our Morpheus and Neo's ramblings about the concepts of destiny, cause-and-effect and the repercussions of making choices. And while I generally love those concepts being explored in a film (it certainly gave the first "Matrix" weight), half the time in "Reloaded" it comes off as confusing and unfortunately, pretentious.
While there's no doubt the Wachowskis entered "The Matrix" again with the best intentions, it seems that they stretched their story way too thin in the process of one-upping themselves visually. Hopefully the opportunity that was lost with "Reloaded" will be somehow be redeemed with the third chapter. With the Wachowskis' unique vision, and a talented cast in Reeves, Fishburne, Moss and Weaving, there's no doubt the vital pieces of the puzzle are all there to make it work.
Let's just hope that brilliance returns with "The Matrix Revolutions" -- a free mind is a terrible thing to waste.
(out of four)
If a special effects feast is what you want, then the hotly anticipated "The Matrix Reloaded" will not disappoint. Not only is the film loaded with mind-blowing visuals, they are without question among the best effects put on screen to date.
But, sorry to say, the story underneath those visuals in "Reloaded" makes you feel half empty -- and that's not a good thing when there's the third chapter of the "Matrix" film trilogy, "The Matrix Revolutions," due in six months.
While "The Matrix" comprehensively explained the motivation of the machines and the fight rebels like Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity launched against it to free Neo's mind, "Reloaded" sets out to expand upon the story of where they came from. That comes in an elaborate visit to Zion, which is occupied by humans who have had also their minds set free of the Matrix.
And while the new world to which we're introduced has a visually intricate look to it, the purpose of why we're spending so much time there is questionable.
The introduction to Zion takes place over a laboriously uneventful 45-minutes after the film's explosive opening sequence, and for the most part it comes off as a waste of time. It seems that it shouldn't have taken so long for the Wachowskis to say that a: there's dissention in the ranks over Morpheus' unwavering belief in the Oracle's (Gloria Foster) prophecy that "The One" will end the war with the machines; and b: that machines, while clearly the enemy in one respect, are really necessary in another if the humans with freed minds are to survive.
Sure, it also gives the film a chance to introduce new characters, including Capt. Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), who has a past with Morpheus and Capt. Lock (Harry Lennix), whom Niobe has now taken up residence with -- but even they don't develop into anything substantial. Presumably, there's more to come them from in "Revolutions."
But the biggest misstep in the opening hour is a drawn-out love scene between Neo and Trinity. Sure, the pair is gorgeous together; it's just that a concept as smart as the original "Matrix" shouldn't have to resort to such screen over-used screen conventions to engage an audience. I'm not a prude, it's just to see Neo and Trinity in the company of one another -- to see their natural chemistry at work even in a simple conversation -- is electrifying enough to establish their unity. The last thing we need is a throwaway sex scene to tell us any different.
While some choices falter, other developments, personnel wise, are quite welcome in "Reloaded." Among them is the return of Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), who was seemingly obliterated by Neo in the first film. But instead of being deleted from the system, Smith has not only found a way to come back after Neo, he's able to replicate himself -- and what ensues is a jaw-dropping martial arts scene that pits the adversaries. There are other agents joining the action, too, throughout the film, who are now the beneficiaries of an upgrade.
What's better yet, the visual extravaganza of "The Matrix Reloaded" really doesn't kick into gear until after Neo and Agent Smith's elaborate fight scene. Among the adrenaline-pumping highlights is arguably the best chase scene ever put on film. It involves Morpheus, Trinity and a pivotal character in the film's later stages, who are all on the run from a pair of albino-like dread-locked twin henchmen who have the power to transform into electrified specters of themselves.
While the visual effects have a distinctly familiar feel to them (they should -- because they've only been ripped off or parodied since the first film's release), the Wachowskis smartly avoided any deliberate repeats (ala Neo dodging bullets) of the visuals from the first film. They do, however, heavily build upon Neo's flying ability (smartly referred to the "Superman thing") that was provided the scorching ending to the first film, which is a welcome, thrilling addition.
While the greater part of the last half of the film is visually stunning, intermittent with the scenes are our Morpheus and Neo's ramblings about the concepts of destiny, cause-and-effect and the repercussions of making choices. And while I generally love those concepts being explored in a film (it certainly gave the first "Matrix" weight), half the time in "Reloaded" it comes off as confusing and unfortunately, pretentious.
While there's no doubt the Wachowskis entered "The Matrix" again with the best intentions, it seems that they stretched their story way too thin in the process of one-upping themselves visually. Hopefully the opportunity that was lost with "Reloaded" will be somehow be redeemed with the third chapter. With the Wachowskis' unique vision, and a talented cast in Reeves, Fishburne, Moss and Weaving, there's no doubt the vital pieces of the puzzle are all there to make it work.
Let's just hope that brilliance returns with "The Matrix Revolutions" -- a free mind is a terrible thing to waste.Copyright 2003 by WNBC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
