The Matrix Reloaded Review
by George Bailey (isearch98 AT yahoo DOT com)May 19th, 2003
THE MATRIX: RELOADED - An efficient movie.
One of the main things that struck me as I waited through the credits to see the brief teaser for Matrix Revolutions is that Reloaded does not waste many frames. Neither does it waste much dialogue. This is one every efficient two and a half-hour movie.
The movie is a true sequel, building directly on the events and revelations of The Matrix, adding layers and opening doors to new understanding. So I highly recommend seeing the first part "the Matrix" before viewing "Reloaded".
Being the second of three parts also means that viewers should not expect to many things to be resolved by the end of "Reloaded". It is, in fact "to be concluded" in Matrix Revolutions. Don't expect Reloaded to have the philosophical depth or mystique of the original Matrix.
That being said, those looking for eye candy and "how-the-heck-did-they-do-that" action sequences will not be disappointed. Visually, the movie combines frantically high energy with balletic grace to produce almost glamorous fight and chase scenes. I think very little is wasted, the length of the scenes serving to display the ways in which the main characters have grown in confidence and resulting capability since their 1999 debut.
Those of us who understand the profundities of the saga will not be disappointed either. The action is nicely paced with quietly tense stretches of dialogue that explore the deeper side of the Trilogy, and not a single word is wasted, even when the dialogue seems to be for comic effect. Keep in mind when you next see this movie - each of these conversations provides some understanding of the Matrix. It's a movie you do have to listen to. It is in this way that "The Matrix: Reloaded" quietly accomplishes it's mission of bridging the first and final parts of this trilogy.
(At this point I have to voice my utter contempt for those "reviewers" and "critics" who don't understand the Trilogy and dismiss the philosophical aspect of the movie as ‘little more than window dressing' (as one particularly vacuous fellow put it.). A word of advice to critics: if you think the Matrix is just about action and special effects, be intellectually honest, admit that you just don't get it, and tell your Editor you can't review it.
It's been a source of great amusement to read so many reviewers verbally tripping over themselves as they try to pontificate on something they so not comprehend. This has affected even into obvious things which they should have gotten right. One reviewer even referred to Trinity as (of all things) "androgynously" sexy. One wonders whether he really watched the movie :-) )
The Trilogy's basic message is: dig deep for the Truth, things are not at all what they seem. To paraphrase Morpheus: don't allow the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you to the Truth. Reality exists separate and apart from our own perceptions and beliefs, and we need to free our minds and look reality in the face. Then and only then will we be free to fight the real fight for freedom.
Most people will miss the significance of several revelations sprinkled throughout the film. These help flesh out what the Matrix is, and will help the discerning to figure out the deeper purpose of characters like the Oracle and Agent Smith.
The most significant event is the crossing of the man-machine boundary, but this too, will go largely unnoticed.
Tantalizing clues are given throughout the movie to show that the rabbit hole goes even deeper than these first two parts show, and Matrix Revolutions will prove to be well worth waiting for. See you in November!
CODA: Remember that the word "matrix" also means 'womb'.
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