The Matrix Reloaded

Reality check: The world we live in is an interactive computer-generatedfantasy designed to enslave our minds while machines harvest our body heatfor survival. By now the story is familiar, the hype has been raging formonths and the wait is finally over. However, die-hard fans of the trilogymight be somewhat disappointed by the saga's middle chapter. For starters,no film can possibly live up to the media hype that precedes its release,i.e., Star Wars: Episode I. Fortunately for Matrix afficionados, thetalented Wachowski brothers have more respect for their audience andgeneral moviegoer's intelligence.

Six months after the events of the first film, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is tryingto come to grips with the meaning of being The One while haunted by arecurring nightmare of Trinity's (Carrie-Ann Moss) death. Much of Zion'spopulace questions his Messiah status and the Oracle (Gloria Foster),enigmatic as ever, warns him of an upcoming decision he will have to makeand the consequences that could result. She also tells him about a rogueprogram, known as The Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim), who is being held hostageby the Merovingian.

Zion has been placed in mortal danger by machines drilling down to thehuman stronghold and The Keymaker holds the -- no pun intended -- key toits salvation. Only 'The One' the Oracle prophesizes can save Zion and endthe war between man and machine. Or can he? As before, nothing and no oneis what it seems in the world of the Matrix. New characters have comeonboard, as well, some of whom are working for the humans and others forthe machines.

The problem with the new film isn't the special effects, of which there isno shortage. Nor is it a matter of there not being enough martial-artsfight scenes, stunts, or action sequences, all of which are visuallystunning. Even the storyline delivers much of what it should by exploringthe previous characters in more depth, as well as several new ones whopresent many an interesting and thought-provoking plot twist. So what isthe fatal flaw in the Matrix? It's just not the same the second timearound.

Granted, the Wachowskis had a tall order to fill by attempting to outdo or,at the very least, match a film that revolutionized the cyber thrillergenre and popularized bullet-time photography. In many respects, Reloadeddefinitely proves that they are up to most of the challenge -- themuch-talked-about chase scene that takes place on a freeway is worth theprice of admission alone. The special effects are just as dazzling and theMatrix universe has been expanded to allow a first look at the last humancity, Zion. Among the new kids on the block are -- the formidable Twins(Neil and Adrian Rayment) who can move through solid objects; The Keymaker,a megalomaniacal Merovingian (Lambert Wilson); and, The Architect -- rogueprograms with varying agendas. A number of new human characters also jointhe cast; the most intriguing of whom are two from the first film: Neo,a.k.a. The One and the Oracle. Both, it seems, are not who they were firstimplied to be. The question of fate evolves to that of purpose and choiceand leads to several intriguing plot twists and character-development arcs.

What's missing is the suspense and tension of Reloaded's predecessor. Thenarrative is more linear and the element of surprise and mystery is gone.The first hour tends to drag its feet; relatively unimportant charactersand conflicts receive too much emphasis while some of the more crucialplotlines such as the machines that are drilling down to Zion and AgentSmith's (Hugo Weaving) ability to copy himself, are swept to the wayside.Some of those subplots might receive more attention in the finalinstallment, which in itself leads to another, almost inescapable flaw ofany trilogy: the sophomore part plays out like a whole lot of middle withnot much resolution and a cliffhanger for a conclusion. However, it doeswhet the appetite for the eagerly-awaited third film that is due to bereleased in November. Despite its more disappointing aspects, Reloaded doesmaintain one of its predecessor's most important qualities; it leaves theaudiences thinking.Reality check: The world we live in is an interactive computer-generatedfantasy designed to enslave our minds while machines harvest our body heatfor survival. By now the story is familiar, the hype has been raging formonths and the wait is finally over. However, die-hard fans of the trilogymight be somewhat disappointed by the saga's middle chapter. For starters,no film can possibly live up to the media hype that precedes its release,i.e., Star Wars: Episode I. Fortunately for Matrix afficionados, thetalented Wachowski brothers have more respect for their audience andgeneral moviegoer's intelligence.

Six months after the events of the first film, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is tryingto come to grips with the meaning of being The One while haunted by arecurring nightmare of Trinity's (Carrie-Ann Moss) death. Much of Zion'spopulace questions his Messiah status and the Oracle (Gloria Foster),enigmatic as ever, warns him of an upcoming decision he will have to makeand the consequences that could result. She also tells him about a rogueprogram, known as The Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim), who is being held hostageby the Merovingian.

Zion has been placed in mortal danger by machines drilling down to thehuman stronghold and The Keymaker holds the -- no pun intended -- key toits salvation. Only 'The One' the Oracle prophesizes can save Zion and endthe war between man and machine. Or can he? As before, nothing and no oneis what it seems in the world of the Matrix. New characters have comeonboard, as well, some of whom are working for the humans and others forthe machines.

The problem with the new film isn't the special effects, of which there isno shortage. Nor is it a matter of there not being enough martial-artsfight scenes, stunts, or action sequences, all of which are visuallystunning. Even the storyline delivers much of what it should by exploringthe previous characters in more depth, as well as several new ones whopresent many an interesting and thought-provoking plot twist. So what isthe fatal flaw in the Matrix? It's just not the same the second timearound.

Granted, the Wachowskis had a tall order to fill by attempting to outdo or,at the very least, match a film that revolutionized the cyber thrillergenre and popularized bullet-time photography. In many respects, Reloadeddefinitely proves that they are up to most of the challenge -- themuch-talked-about chase scene that takes place on a freeway is worth theprice of admission alone. The special effects are just as dazzling and theMatrix universe has been expanded to allow a first look at the last humancity, Zion. Among the new kids on the block are -- the formidable Twins(Neil and Adrian Rayment) who can move through solid objects; The Keymaker,a megalomaniacal Merovingian (Lambert Wilson); and, The Architect -- rogueprograms with varying agendas. A number of new human characters also jointhe cast; the most intriguing of whom are two from the first film: Neo,a.k.a. The One and the Oracle. Both, it seems, are not who they were firstimplied to be. The question of fate evolves to that of purpose and choiceand leads to several intriguing plot twists and character-development arcs.

What's missing is the suspense and tension of Reloaded's predecessor. Thenarrative is more linear and the element of surprise and mystery is gone.The first hour tends to drag its feet; relatively unimportant charactersand conflicts receive too much emphasis while some of the more crucialplotlines such as the machines that are drilling down to Zion and AgentSmith's (Hugo Weaving) ability to copy himself, are swept to the wayside.Some of those subplots might receive more attention in the finalinstallment, which in itself leads to another, almost inescapable flaw ofany trilogy: the sophomore part plays out like a whole lot of middle withnot much resolution and a cliffhanger for a conclusion. However, it doeswhet the appetite for the eagerly-awaited third film that is due to bereleased in November. Despite its more disappointing aspects, Reloaded doesmaintain one of its predecessor's most important qualities; it leaves theaudiences thinking.