The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition) (2003)

When I first saw the film, well, I didn't like it too much. It seemed to be over-packed with CGI Fight scenes and a storyline that didn't really mean anything. While Zion is under attack, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus must find the keymaster to unlock the doors to the mainframe and end the war, thus freeing Zion.

This entire storyline, to me, seemed contrived, making the fight scenes seem meeningless, their overzealous and sometimes long running effects just becoming tiresome.

But, then I got it. Weeks after seeing it, it finally clicked.

They symbolism of these films is much deeper than the average action-movie viewer is usually given. Yes -- the entire "The One-Saves the world" storyline is meaningless, and that's the point. While paying too much attention to events within the computer-generated fantasy world of the Matrix, the real world, and Zion, fall into greater danger.

We are introduced to two 'french' characters, programs, which exist simply to experience life. While they are among the long list of villians in this piece, they are also the key to the story. They describe the situation in as much in the film, seeing our heroes as mere puppets in a meaningless plot, which, in fact, they are.

While are main characters are engaged in a meaningless task, struggling to achieve goal after goal in a virtual world, events of the real world are dire, and, just perhaps, if more attention were paid to the real-world events, perhaps the situation would not be so dire.

It is not until Neo discovers that his existance as 'the one' is simply another level of control set in place by the machines, that the entire struggle within the virtual world of the Matrix has no real meaning, only then does the truth come to light, just in time for this second chapter to come to a close.

Think about it, how many people do you know who obsess on politics, or sports, or their favorite television show, or even the Matrix itself? We engage in meaningless struggles to achieve goals that, in the end, really have no meaning but to feed our own ego.

A very profound statement to be made by an action film, that is, if the third and final installment draws this observation out.

As I see it, the value of this second episode is entirely dependent upon the content of the third chapter, but the potential is much greater than most people give it credit for.

Thank you for your time.

That being said, I loved this movie. The freeway chase was the most exciting chase seen I've seen. The albino twins were great to watch and Zion was truly impressive. I was instantly won over by Morpheus' new operator: Link. He acts as a kind of fellow viewer, pulling for Neo and the others along with the audience.

Finally, the Neo flight scenes were visually stunning. No Superman movie will be able to compare with Neo's final flight in the movie.

My advice is, if you haven't seen the movie yet, to go and watch it with no preconceptions. Don't worry about the special effects being better than the first movie. Don't wait for the "meaning" of the film to be laid bare at the end. Just watch it and actually listen while it begins a tale that will end in Matrix: Revelations. If you do this, you will enjoy the movie immensely.

Zion: Why do people hate these scenes so much? No doubt many had already formed a picture in their mind of what the city would look like, and it probably just didn't fit in with their image. Ultimately, I think their visit to Zion was necessary though. You need to actually see the people that these characters are fighting to save. On the whole though? The Zion scenes take up so little time in the whole of the movie, who cares really?

The fight scenes: The Burly Brawl IS a bit over the top...but that's what it's supposed to be. Admittedly, I was ready for it to be over, but it was still a special effects feat. Everything else is very much in keeping with the first movie.

The car chase: Some people thought it dragged on...I thought it was mezmerizing. The effects were truly extraordinary and the concept of why the freeway is so dangerous to our heroes make it all that much more exciting. What's a true action movie without a big car chase? This one puts all others to shame.

The big "talk": Ah yes, Neo's infamous conversation with the architect of the Matrix. Is it dry? Like a desert. Is it completely confusing the first time through? Completely. Is the rhetoric a bit puffed-up and imposing? Definitely. Is it helpful to watch the DVD with the subtitles on? Absolutely. I've watched it multiple times and I still feel like I'm missing something. I guess you either get it or you don't.

You cannot take a movie like this too seriously. If you do, it suddenly becomes pretentious and annoying. But it IS just a movie, and should be taken as such. Sure, there's some potentially serious philosophical points, namely the power of choice and the power of love. And heck, that makes for some good conversation fodder. But lets get right down to it: this movie is pure eye candy, that happens to have a decent storyline and an attractive, talented cast to boot. As a side note, the second DVD has some worthy extras, especially the documentary about the making of the big car chase, and the MTV Movie Awards snippet is hysterical as well.

Bottom line: If you're looking for more of the first movie, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Viewing for pure entertaiment? Watch on!