Arnold
CibbuanoThe Matrix Reloaded
September 13th 2006 07:09
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
This was (with the possible exception of 'Lord of the Rings') my most anticipated film for a good four years. That I had to wait four days or so after it came out to finally see it was almost torture. I set about trying to avoid any sort of discussion of the film and refused knowledge of all reviews. I didn't even want to know what other people thought of it (!) until I had seen it myself.
'The Matrix Reloaded' picks up a short while after the first film, I'm unclear on how much time has passed but it's obvious that it's been at least a few months. The film jumps right into the action, setting up much larger and more complex developments unforseen in the first movie. We get to see Zion, the last human city, and we're introduced to a whole array of new characters, both within and outside of the Matrix.
The directors (the Wachowski brothers) had intended to release 'The Matrix Reloaded' two weeks apart from it's follow-up ‘The Matrix Revolutions’, which made it easier for them to make a much bigger story, setting events in motion that they could afford to leave unresolved in this chapter of the 'Matrix' trilogy. Unfortunately, the third film couldn't be released in tandem with 'The Matrix Reloaded' and it was at least a six-month wait until the third and final film in the trilogy came out, which left more than a few people scratching their bonces over the content of this film.
Me? Well, I loved it. It completely smashed all my expectations (which were already pretty high) and it's safe to say that the bar for special-effects and action was risen again. I couldn’t imagine at the time how the Wachowski brothers would raise it again for 'The Matrix Revolutions', but after ‘Reloaded’ I had faith that they'd be able to do it.
The cast is big, and some characters are only introduced and left open for further development in the next film (see above on why this is a no-no! I’m not saying it can’t be done, but how it was done here was inadequate). Hugo Weaving once again steals the screen whenever he appears, and the role of his character is one of the film's central intrigues. The original cast are all up to scratch, and there isn't anyone particularly embarrassing (which is always a good thing). The visuals are amazing, especially Zion, which is set apart from the sterilised world of the Matrix in a great tribal/sexual scene - highlighting the Wachowski brothers' directorial skill as far more than just special-effects and martial arts wizardry.
I don't want to go on about this any longer. When I first saw this I thought it was brilliant, more than just a 'follow-up', and that it went a long way to establishing 'The Matrix Trilogy' as a modern mythology for the 21st century. Obviously, I thought all this without seeing ‘The Matrix Revolutions’…
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch out for some footage of 'evil human history', featuring a glimpse of George W. Bush (!). Also, more Aussies abound - Steve Bastoni, Christine Anu, and that annoying Lee guy from Antonia Kidman's movie-promotion show (who is probably more well-known now for his starring role in ‘Saw’).
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I thought the sequel, Matrix Reloaded was much fresher, original and more interesting film than the first one. The third one was abismal.
Not quite good enough to have in my collection but stil an entertaining excursion.
For the record I do rank The Animatrix above all of the live action films, and this one does sit on my shelf.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I never saw the Animatrix.
I don't dig all the tie-in stuff franchise films do now.
I hated the fact that Lucas licensed all these animated series and crap like that to fill in the gaps between the films... what ever happened to films just being entertaining in themselves? Why does everything have to go forever and ever?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im a massive fan of Anime and all the Directors of the Animatrix were atthe top of their game. More importantly the stories were stimulating and enriching to this non fan of the live action trilogy.
I absolutely worshipped the animated Clone Wars by the creator of Dexters Lab and Samurai jack.
In fact I would say they were as good on par with Revenge of The Sith.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that Walk the Line got released as three different versions.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Then so many great gems either come out vanilla or in pan n scan or worse still, not at all (Point Blank ,Seconds, Le Samourai etc)
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I've been waiting for a couple of years now for Mean Streets to get an Australian release. (To my knowledge it's only been released over here as part of that $200 Scorcese boxed set)