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  • The Matrix Reloaded (2003): ***½

    Directed by The Wachowski Brothers

    I know that a lot of people were really disappointed by this film. But when I hear that, all I can think is, "What did they expect this film would be like?" This film is pretty much exactly what I was hoping it would be like. It's still a brilliant, fantastic film that is leaps and bounds above most other films out there. I almost gave it four stars. Almost. Here's why I didn't (and keep in mind that I'm desperately trying not to include spoilers here):

    1. Middle-Child Syndrome: This really isn't the film's fault. It's the middle movie of a trilogy, so there are many things that are introduced in this film and then not completely dealt with. I have faith that the brothers will bring everything together in the final film with brilliant and probably very surprising satisfaction, but it was still frustrating sometimes.
    2. Unnecessary Action: There's one scene where Neo has to fight someone (Seraph) before he can see the Oracle. Why? For No Good Freakin' Reason! This action scene (while being the favorite fight of many of my friends) has absolutely no point. It doesn't advance the story. It doesn't even decide anything. It doesn't even really end. Seraph just kind of says, "Okay, that's enough," and then it's over. Boom. The First Matrix movie did a much better job of having a good, sound, plot-driven reason for its action sequences. In this movie they just seem to pop up at random for no real reason. They also tend to go on just a little too long.

    Um... those are really the only problems I can think of. Some people thought it was too talky, but I found all of the talk really entertaining. The CGI fight scene (Neo vs Smiths) was almost there, but still the hands and some of the movements weren't quite right. It was still pretty badass.

    Um, jeez, I have a lot to say about this movie, but it all gives important stuff away, so I guess that's about it. I didn't like it as much as the first one because it isn't a "perfect" film like the first one. I have a feeling that it's a bridge between two "perfect" films, and I for one am just fine with that.

    -Christopher Grant Harris


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