Review 133: The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Reloaded is a deeply flawed and at the end of the day an emotionally unsatisfying film, but as a whole it's a solid, stick to your ribs sequel to The Matrix.

Set six months after the events of first film, Freedom fighters Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continue to lead the revolt against the Machine Army, unleashing their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation. In their quest to save the human race from extinction, they gain greater insight into the construct of The Matrix and Neo's pivotal role in the fate of mankind.

By part 2, we are already at war with the machines, there is no more hiding and planning, the rebellion has officially begun, as usual we've been introduced to the world of The Matrix in the first film, the characters have been set up, now it's time to get our hands dirty. The machines are marching on the Zion, the last human city 
As a result the stakes are raised and the world and mythology is expanded upon which is always welcome in a sequel. 

We are also introduced to new characters such as Link (Harold Perrineau), the Nebs new pilot and operator, Commander Lock (Harry Lennix), the leader of the resistance, The Kid (Clayton Watson), a Zion-dwelling, self-substantined exile who befriends Neo, Councillor Hamann (Anthony Zerbe), Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) a Zion rebel, The Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) and his wife Persephone (Monica Bellucci), Seraph (Collin Chou)  as well as The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis). The film also introduces the Twins (Neil and Adrian Rayment), two "Exiles"/rogue programs from a previous itteration of the Matrix with the power of

Neo and Trinity have grown closer together in six months since the first film and have become lovers; their relationship has deepened. Neo has started to come into the fullness of his powers and is having visions - there are things that he doesn't understand. The individual has left his room and his personal contacts and he's starting to come out to a greater context of his community.

 

Laurence Fishburne Morpheus takes on the role of a general in the army of Zio  is confident that the war is nearing its end. Over the course of the film, Morpheus is forced to come to terms with certain revealations regarding the prophercy   As his world is crashing around him

 

Persephone is a beautiful but lonely woman stuck in a loveless marriage to, in her own words, a pompus prick who treats her like garbage and  She's board of her life inside the Matrix and is dissatisfied with her husband because of his infidelities.

 

Bakaitis brought a lot of gravitas to the role of The Architect. He's only in one scene, but it's of central importane and brings out the true horror of the Matrix. The Architect created the Matrix; an exceptionally brilliant, powerful and intelligent A.I. He's a pragmatist as well as analytical, logical and in that one scene, cold, calm, collected and views humanity and emotions with contempt.

Unfortunately, however, the world building is pretty sloppy on round 2. In the first movie, we were slowly introduced to the world of The Matrix through Neo's eyes as he was our audience surrogate. How do they expand the world in this film you might ask? Exposition dump as if The Wachowskis didn't trust our intelligence. There was a very “stop and start” sensation to The Matrix Reloaded’s pacing; every time the film delivered a cool, thrilling action sequence, there would be a scene where the film would pause so the characters can discuss the films various themes at great length and the momentum would start to drag. Particularly egregious is a huge Orgey party in Zion known as the Rave where hundreds of sweaty, dirty humans dance in a manner that’s supposed to be graceful and sensual but because of the slow motion it comes off as gratuitous. This scene goes on for 8 solid minutes and kills the pacing stone dead and does little to advance the plot.

It feels like a film with a two speed gear box, so you either get admittedly fascinating philosophical debates or jaw-dropping action, but the Wachowski's fail to strike the balance to make a cohesive whole. I'll freely admit that I had no idea why anything was happening throughout these scenes. There are plenty of new ideas, characters and locations that stick out to me but the story feels unbalanced - The Matrix Reloaded is so overwhelmed by a screenplay heavy with complicated exposition, by what are, in effect, big ambitious set pieces that never fully resonates.

But it's Neo's meeting with The Architect, in a cool symbolic room surrounded by TV monitors, that proves to be a real head-scratcher. What should have been the moment where the rug is pulled out from under our feet with a game-changing twist is instead delivered in yet another exposition dump that will more than likely leave audiences either board or confused rather than shocked.

The Wachowskis direction is outstanding, the cinematography is breathtaking, the action scenes are expertly staged, pulse pounding with astonishing choreography (with the Highway chase and the Chateux fight being a particular highlights. But it’s Neo’s climatic to save Trinity, the woman he loves, that really puts his nature as the One to the test), probably more so than this films script. The production design is spectacular; the City of Zion is a particularly noteworthy new location: a cavernous, underground location where the last  covered with staligmites and stalictights the costumes are   

When it was firing on all cylinders, The Matrix Reloaded met and times exceeded the first movie. The film continued to expand on the themes and world. Unfortunately, Reloaded wasn’t quite as consistent in its delivery as the first film and the ride had more than a few bumps than necessary, 3.5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.