It's finally here! Four years after the original was released, The Matrix 
Reloaded opened last night in movie theatres across the country and 
yours truly was one of the many that made their way to the local theatre 
to check it out. 

But it was not all fun and games, I brought along my little pen and 
notebook just so I could take notes and provide ya'll [the many readers 
of Nicademiks…lol] with a review, because we know how entertaining 
these reviews can be, but I digress. 

The Matrix Reloaded is the high-flying, kung fu, action-saturated film we 
were all hoping for. If you enjoyed the action sequences of the first 
installment, you will definitely enjoy those found in this version.

However, the first version posted a more solid scorecard. While the first 
film was perfectly balanced between action and philosophy, the sequel 
tends to lean towards the action end, leaving the philosophy as an 
interesting yet essential side note. In this first Matrix, the philosophy 
underlying the action sequences is what keeps the movie flowing, 
leaving you wondering what is just around the corner; in The Matrix 
Reloaded, the action sequences are what keep the movie flowing, 
while the philosophy serves best as fillers between actions sequences. 

But before I bore you any further, lets do this review the Nicademiks 
way…lets bust out the lists.        

10 Things I liked about The Matrix Reloaded [in no particular order]

1. The fight scenes, of course: There are three major fight sequences, 
    which are all fun to watch and are well choreographed. These fight 
    scenes include Merovingian's Palace, the Freeway sequence 
    [filmed in Alameda], 
    and the Burly Brawl. 
    In my opinion, the 
    Burly Brawl was the 
    most enjoyable fight 
    sequence. This 
    sequence is where 
    we see Neo battle 
    many Agent Smiths'. 

    The Burly Brawl was 
    fun to watch because of 
    the sheer choreography, mixing both human elements and computer 
    generated ones. The interactions between Agent Smith and Neo are 
    always fun to watch and this sequence is no different. Although some 
    parts of the sequence leave you feeling like you are watching the 
    princess fight sequence in Shrek because of its computer-animated 
    look, it is still fun to watch. And the end of the scene is pretty funny. 

2. Neo and Trinity's relationship: The relationship between Neo and Trinity 
    in the first movie has developed into a deeply passionate love. Really, 
    watching them two so deeply in love was inspiring. What guy doesn't 
    secretly want a ride-or-die-chick that can do flips, fight, all while in a 
    leather cat suit. 

3. The concept of upgrades as a way to provide balance to Neo's new 
    found powers: Neo has many new found abilities in this version, his 
powers are impressive. Without the 
concept of upgrades, there would be 
no real resistance to Neo's powers. 
The fact that upgrades are available, 
such as The Twins and Agent Smith,
gives the world the of The Matrix more 
depth and complexity. 

4. Neo's flying ability: At first, I did not like 
    the idea of Neo flying, the concept grew 
    on me once I saw that it was a 
                                                  necessary element to Neo's quest. 

5. The tension between Persephone / Trinity / Neo: This scene works 
    best to show the amount of love and passion Trinity has for Neo…
    it's funny to watch her reaction in this scene. 

6. The philosophy: An underlying element in the film is the contrasting 
    ideas of predestination v. free will. It is fun to consider what is truly 
    predestined and what is choice. Is choice a consequence of a 
    predetermined set of circumstances, or can we really choose. 

7. The cycle of The Matrix: I really like the 
    possibility that the Matrix has been created 
    6 times over as a result of the chosen one 
    making the choices the "Architect" 
    predicted. This leaves us with this question…
    will this cycle be any different ? Personally, 
    I think they took this concept, of time cylces, 
    from Mesoamerican culture…but hey, 
    maybe I'm just being hyper-ethno-conscious. 

8. The idea that Neo himself is an upgrade: It is becoming more and more 
    evident why he may be the chosen one, not just among humans but 
    among versions of himself. 

9. Human/Machine interdependence: It is an interesting idea that both 
    humans and machines need one another. This concept is interlaced 
    in both in the world of The Matrix and outside of it. 

10. How the movie comes full circle [almost]: It starts with Trinity's 
      sequence and also ends with it…kinda.         


Just A Few Things I Did Not Like About The Matrix Reloaded

1.  The Neo-Trinity Sex Scene:  I'm no puritan [okay, so maybe I am], 
     but I thought that the whole Neo-Trinity sex scene was unneccessary.
     I get it...they are in passionately in love and have had no time alone
     until now...but I don't know, it seemed unneccessary for us to see it.
     I'm willing to change my mind if in the upcoming film she gives birth
     to a completely human baby, without the input sockets...because 
     that would somehow give that scene some actual significance.

2.  Morpheus' speech and the Rave that followed:  The whole rave made 
     me feel dirty...like that sorry Christina Aguilera video.  Throw on top 
     of that the fact Trinity and Neo were having sex, it was just too much.  
     I like Morpheus, but write a brotha' a better speech, will ya!  

3. The Philosophy:  Okay, so how can I have the philosophy in both 
     what I liked and what I didn't like.  Well this is why: I enjoyed the
     overall philosophy underlying the film, but I though it could have 
     been articulated better through more coherent script writing.

3.  The ending...lets face it, the best it can do is set us up for the 
     next one.



GRADE: 3 Nacatamales out of a possible 4.         

- May 16, 2003

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