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):
- 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.
- 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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