No one can be told how good this film is (The Matrix Reloaded (DVD))

Member Name: bagel

Product:	The Matrix Reloaded (DVD)
Date:	22/05/03 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning special effects, innovative storyline

Disadvantages: cliffhanger ending, too much kung-fu?

No one can be told how good this film is: they have to experience it for themselves. That may be taking it a little far (not to mention being rather too cliché), but this film really is quite stunning. Rarely does a film shown in UK cinemas get a rapturous round of applause to see it off - this one did. Was it worth me standing outside in the rain to get one of the few remaining tickets? I thought so. Two hours...in proper Welsh rain, complete with thunder, armed only with a brolley and a flimsy green anorak.

I'm not going to give the plot away here - I don't think my fingers would last out that long. However, you should see the first film if you plan on seeing this one. Without the context the first film gives, this one will seem like a stream of pretty, albeit irrelevant, special effects.

This film builds on the amazing foundations of the first, and will once again leave you pondering 'What is the matrix?'. If you had it sussed at the end of the first film, chances are that this one will pluck out all those ideas and flip them on their head. And probably give them a firm spin for good measure.

The casting for the characters in this film is spot-on, with Keanu Reeves (Neo), Laurence Fishbourne (Morpheus) and Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity) making a welcome return, supported by a range of new characters. You've probably already seen promotional shots of The Twins, who look as if they've been sleeping a packet of flour. Don't let this fool you though - they're not the type of people that go around baking cakes (OK, Steven Seagal shows that really don't want to mess with people who make cakes, but we'll ignore him for the purposes of this review).

Music-wise this film does not fail to impress. The backing track is a little less heavy than the Matrix, and has a more electronic, with an ever-so-slightly Techno hint to it. It is still unmistakably Matrix-style, however, and carries the film well, and
adds oodles of tension to the action scenes.

If you don't enjoy the first film, I would still recommend seeing this one, although you'd undoubtedly get less satisfaction than Matrix junkies. In some ways, this film attempts to poularise The Matrix, by adding spectacular setpiece special effects and a storyline which doesn't really need to be understood to enjoy the movie, i.e people in suits are baddies (I'll probably upset a few people by saying that). It's got all the elements you need for a hollywood blockbuster: huge explosions, high speed chases and intense fight scenes. It cleverly interlaces these with a fairly intellectual story. If you follow along with the story, it immensely improves the film, and it would be a shame to see it for the kung-fu action alone.

One problem I found with this film was that the main characters seem to be invincible. They have some really funky special moves, but all the fights seem like a foregone conclusions. Good guys win, good guys move on to next bunch of bad guys; Repeat until end. Although technically the characters are vulnerable, the film rarely makes a point of this. OK, it's a film set in a computer-controlled version of Earth and isn't meant to be realistic, but I felt that playing on the vulnerability could have made this film a little more gripping. It's not going to lose any stars from me for this, however.

The ending of this film may displease some, as it's of the 'To Be Continued' type. It does finish itself off with fairly tidy conclusion, however, and should have been expected with a sequel coming in six months (The Matrix: Revolutions).

Well, I think that's all my moaning out of the way, which just leaves me say something about the special effects. These really are quite mind-blowing. The 'bullet-time' camera moves of the first film are no longer a new novelty, and the makers of this film realise this. Bullet-time in R
eloaded is elevated to a whole new level, and adds to a spectacular arsenal of eye-candy. The camera swirls around the action superbly, capturing every special move the characters pull off.

I would recommend going to see the film, although I may give it a miss if it involves standing in the rain for two hours again. If you enjoyed the first film, pre-book your tickets now. If you disliked the first film with passion, then this probably isn't for you, but anyone inbetween should go along for the ride. It may just change your view on The Matrix.

The Marix: Reloaded is released on 22 May 2003 in the UK, and should be shown at most cinemas nationwide. Check out the official website at http://www.whatisthematrix.com for more information.

Summary: