se71

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July 17, 2003

The Matrix Reloaded

Glossy effects, but sequel is too confusing, and lacks the wow factor.

All the main cast return for this first sequel to the massive hit The Matrix. Keanu Reeves as Neo has lost none of his woodenness, and goes around with a permanent confused frown on his face. Trinity, played by Carrie Ann Moss, is little better, though she still looks good in that black one-piece suit. Laurence Fishbourne as Morpheus has almost lost the plot completely in his fanaticism that Neo is "The One" who will save Zion, the underground city which is the last refuge of the human race.

As we open, Trinity is in action, much like in the original film. As she is chased, she jumps from a skyscraper, and is still firing bullets at the agents diving after her, when she hits the ground; and Neo wakes up! It's just the classic nightmare scene much loved of horror films, or is it a premonition? It is a strong opening, full of tension and showcasing the trademarked special effects. These effects really are excellent, especially later when Neo has to fight dozens of copies of Agent Smith all at the same time, and in the spectacular motorway chase, but somehow the awe we felt at seeing them in the first movie is a bit less now. Cinema audiences expect excellent quality in their special effects, it's innovation in their use that has to differentiate films. The original Matrix managed to innovate, and though Reloaded does push the boundaries, it doesn't make that same quantum shift.

So, the story so far. Machines have enslaved the human race, and keep them as power generators in pods. To keep them from going mad their minds are plugged into the matrix, an artificial world, where they live their whole lives without realising it isn't real. Some humans have escaped, and live in a city called Zion, underground. Morpheus pilots a ship, Trinity is part of the crew, and they are looking for a saviour, someone with the power to destroy the matrix. They seem to have found him in Neo, who manages to kill the agent programs which police the matrix.

As we open, the machines have found Zion, and are drilling through the earth to reach it. In a matter of days they will reach the city. Somehow they must be stopped, and the city council have two plans. The first plan is just to fight, as they have always done. The second plan is to allow Morpheus and Neo to infiltrate the matrix, but this plan relies on prophesy and faith, and has very little backing. It isn't really made clear how destroying the matrix will actually help, presumably it will free the millions of enslaved humans, but they will be unable to look after themselves as their muscles have never been used, will have no food, and will all quickly die. But this plan is put into action, and several teams plug into the matrix, trying to destroy the heavily protected core program. There is another meeting with the enigmatic Oracle, fights with rogue Agent Smith, and an odd meeting with characters in the matrix called Merovingian and Persephone, who have special powers, and have very powerful twin body guards, but in a shock ending, it looks like they have failed, and that Trinity has died. But Neo displays unknown powers, when outside the matrix, he manages to resurrect Trinity, this is definitely odd, and will have to be explained in the third film.

This is a very confusing film, which has withheld information from the audience, presumably so that it can be revealed in the final instalment. Because of this many things make very little sense, such as the Keymaker and the multiple Agent Smiths, and so you'll leave feeling unsatisfied, having consumed the starter, but been denied a main course. Perhaps once everything has been revealed in Revolutions, the third instalment, it will be possible to return to Reloaded and enjoy it much more.

AE 2

Posted by se71 at July 17, 2003 12:38 PM

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