Exactly what you expected and some more. (The Matrix Reloaded (DVD))

Member Name: R_Easton

Product:	The Matrix Reloaded (DVD)
Date:	24/05/03 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kung-Fu, Action, Special Effects

Disadvantages: Plot, Cliches, Keanu Reeves Naked

The Matrix Reloaded: Probably the most awaited sequel so far this millennium.
The Matrix Reloaded: Probably the most clichéd sequel this millennium.
The Matrix Reloaded: Definitely the most action-packed film this millennium.

The sequel to the best action film ever made (as far as I know) gives just what an experienced film viewer would expect from a very successful action film; bigger action scenes but a rushed, unoriginal or clichéd plot. However, with ?Reloaded this is an understatement, as it delivers MUCH bigger action scenes with a continuously clichéd plot.

So, I?ll dispose of the bad points first. The film starts with an action scene involving Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) attacking security guards before the scene changes to Neo (Keanu Reeves) waking up. Those familiar with the first film might know where this is going, for everyone else, a reminder: The first film starts with an action scene involving Trinity being attacked by the police before the scene changes to Neo waking up. Those sentences were so similar I copied and pasted the second, changing a few words. This is one of the worst examples, but this repetition does continue throughout the film (An important repetition at the end of the film even mocks this fact). This was not something I expected, as the Wachowski brothers (joint writers and directors of the trilogy) had planned the Matrix as a trilogy before they even made the first film, but it feels like they made this up to continue The Matrix?s plot and make more money. I find this unlikely considering the amount of time and effort they put into the first film (including making a low budget but good film ?Bound? to convince the producers they were worthy of the huge amount of money needed to make a film like The Matrix). The film also felt like it had too many rip-offs from other films; I couldn?t help but be reminded of:
Jackie Chan, at the moments when Neo manipulates enemies helping him beat others, much as Chan d
oes comically.
Mission Impossible, as Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) battle an agent atop a lorry, as on a train at the end of MI.
Die Hard, as Trinity jumps out of a window from half way up a skyscraper, unfortunately for her, without a hose tied to her.
I felt like this for much of the film, and the 15 rating on the film is ironic; you may have to be under this age to not notice the film clichés. The plot, which I have already complained about, can be mostly summarised in a short sentence; The heroes of the film have 72 hours before the machines destroy all of humanity. If you can?t see a lack of originality in this, then you need to get out less. Also, the plot seems to have strange holes, such as Neo having all the ports covering his body back (Yes, he is UNfortunately naked at one point in the film) and the complete absence of Tank (Marcus Chong in The Matrix) in the film, without an explanation of where he went (I have been told this is due to a serious argument between Chong and the Wachowski brothers over his pay for the film).

However, the good points at least equal and, in my opinion, outweigh the bad ones. Firstly, I would like to point out that THE FIGHT SCENES IN THIS FILM ARE INCREDIBLE. Secondly, before people who have already seen the film complain about my description of the plot, it is not as simple as I have described it above. Before seeing the film, I knew a disadvantage it would have over the first film was not being able to use the complex plot element of revealing what the ?Matrix? was. However this film surprised me by adding to this and leaving me as confused as I was at the end of the first film about what exactly the ?Matrix? was, and more importantly in this film, the true goals of the machines. Thirdly, THE KUNG-FU SCENES IN THIS FILM ARE PHENOMENOL.

However, this film does have one more disadvantage I must warn you of. The film may be so exciting, every other action film you?ve ever seen feels bland in comp
arison. Despite the lack of originality the film may have, It is still definitely worth seeing for anyone who likes action and is essential for those who liked the first film (but they probably already know that).

(P.S. Sorry for shouting about how great the film is.)

Summary: