The Matrix Reloaded (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen)

Movie description
Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continue their battle against the machines in THE MATRIX RELOADED, the second chapter of Larry and Andy Wachowski's MATRIX trilogy. As RELOADED begins, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus arrive in Zion with new crew member Link (Harold Perrineau), and discover that 250,000 dreaded sentinels are close to launching a massive attack on the underground haven for the liberated minds of humanity. When Neo seeks advice from the prophetic Oracle (the late Gloria Foster), their meeting leads to a sorely outnumbered fight with Neo's old nemesis, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). While the sentinels advance on Zion, various battles within the Matrix continue to escalate, culminating in an extended highway chase sequence involving Morpheus, Trinity, more imposing agents, and two new adversaries--the relentless white-clad Twins (Adrian and Neil Rayment). With RELOADED, the Wachowski brothers delve deeper into both the realm of the Matrix and the apocalyptic, machine-controlled future reality. Initially giving ample attention to both the romance between Neo and Trinity and to the vast underground city of Zion, the film eventually delivers one stunning set piece after another, with the amazing martial arts sequences and jaw-dropping effects of the first MATRIX elevated to even more astounding heights. In addition to the returning cast of Reeves, Moss, Fishburne, Weaving, and Foster, Perrineau and Jada Pinkett Smith make for welcome new additions, and Monica Bellucci offers up an unforgettably sensual appearance. Larger than the original scale on every level, THE MATRIX RELOADED is a thoroughly entertaining sequel that will leave viewers eager for the trilogy's conclusion, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS.
If you liked the first matrix you will without a doubt like this one too.

So, what can you expect in a movie follow-up for one of the best, technologically advanced, special effects, sci-fi movies in recent memories? Matrix Reloaded is definitely a good movie, and even with more ground-breaking special effects than the original, it just did not get the job done as well as the first movie. I did not find myself quite as engaged, either. I still cared about the characters, but knowing that this movie was part two and a third one follows took the urgency away. The plot was fairly good, and decently played out as well. No matter how you turn it, though, it still plays in the shadows of the first movie. Do I recommend it? As long as the price it right.

smz...

The first movie, The Matrix, altered our reality forever. The second, Reloaded, has added a 'new dimention' to our understanding of the first.

The special effects are no less startling than those offered in The Matrix. From the moment that it begins until the last scene, to be continued.... this one is as intricately interwoven as the first.

Rarely is a sequel able to compete as well as this one. The visuals of the multi-Smiths to the riple effects or Neo-waves created each time Neo manipulates The Matrix.

This movie is NO LESS exciting than the first and certainly adds a more vivid understanding of the Matrix.

MEC

If you loved the first one, you have to see the second one. This movie is loaded with special effects that make the fighting scenes exciting to the viewer. Keanue Reeves was able to do more action stunts in the movie (The first Matrix movie Reeves had recently had back surgery and could not do as many action/leg movements). The music fits perfectly to the movie and gives you more of a jolt while you are watching it. While it leaves unanswered question (you have to see the last Matrix movie to get everything answered), it was just the perfect ending to leave you wanting more. The special features on the DVD are wonderful and I know I enjoyed them greatly (The MTV movie awards special feature is so funny)! I think this is a must see movie!

Although it has all the hallmarks of the first Matrix -- the same characters, slow-motion action sequences (in 'bullet time'), leather trenchcoats, and all that, the Matrix Reloaded is a distinct letdown after the first film in the series.

Although mayhem abounds, the story seems long-winded, unfocused, and fairly pointless; character development is close to nil; the 'philosophizing' is shallow and sometimes sophomoric ("for every effect, there is a cause" -- nah, I never would have guessed that on my own), and the only vaguely interesting spot in the film is Agent Smith, who -- ironically enough, since he is nothing but a machine -- seems like the only character with a personality and gets most of the humorous lines as well.

Worst of all is the blatant "we're not going to tell you what's going on, here's a cliffhanger" ending -- complete with a message of "To Be Continued." Crassness doesn't sink any lower than this; naturally, movie series leave something to be decided in a sequel, but each film is usually constructed so that there's some kind of resolution to the current plotlines. The Matrix Reloaded just cuts the plot off in mid-sentence, leaving it feeling not only bland and unfocused, but unfinished and unsatisfying as well.

The only reason to give this 2/5 rather than 1/5 is that Agent Smith brings a bit of ironic humor to a performance that's otherwise as limp and predictable as leftover broccoli.