The Matrix: Reloaded Reflections
Written May 18, 2003

What is the Matrix?

This simple question was the singular driving force behind the intentionally vague advertising campaign for the film The Matrix. Viewers were not told what the Matrix was, merely given this query and the generous option to pay 15 bucks to get the answer as well by watching the movie. They ended up going in the millions and for the most part were equally generous enough to recommend the film to others.

The Wachowski brothers, fledgling directors of The Matrix, had created a science fiction phenomenon that combined the ‘depth’ of dorm-room pothead philosophizing (“Is this world even real, dudes?”) with enough ass-kicking and eye candy to make it appealing to everyone else. Countless parodies and shameless copies were made of the film’s cinematography, ushering in a new millennium that was peppered with imagery of slow-motion bullet dodging and overblown jump kicks. The Matrix had indelibly left its stamp on North American culture.

Four years later Matrix: Reloaded is left with the insurmountable task of filling the shoes of its predecessor, unhappily situated amidst a deafening roar of hype and impossibly high expectations and advertised with a level of flash and glamour that the original film didn’t need. As the second part of a planned trilogy to be concluded by Matrix: Revolutions in November, Matrix: Reloaded continues the jolly exploits of dark-clad heroes Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie Anne Moss) as they attempt to free humanity from Evil Sentient Machines that use people for energy while their minds doze, trapped in a simulated reality.

It’s fairly obvious that the Wachowski brothers were constantly thinking “Bigger, Better, Faster” as they constructed this film. Climatic one-on-one confrontations between various Matrix-escapees and the sinister Agents are replaced by giant brawls that border on ludicrous as Neo bashes hundreds of Agent Smith clones in the face with a metal pole and bounces around on their heads Crouching Tiger-style. Slow-motion camera rotation effects are back and, as expected, liberally rotate slowly around a variety of cool visuals. It’s exactly the progression that you would expect from a second Matrix movie and yet lacks the sense of cinematic revolution that the first film brought to the table. Sure it rules, but it’s just a more overblown version of what we’ve seen before.

Wedged haphazardly amongst the jaw-dropping action sequences, the plot progression of Matrix: Reloaded seems less integral to the experience than it should. Neo is now a demigod with the power to fly like Superman and resurrect like Jesus, his invulnerability removing a great deal of the tension and suspense that drove the original film forward relentlessly. Amusing new characters like the Merovingian, a pompous stereotypical Frenchie who has the dirty ability to program unsuspecting women to give him BJs in the ladies room, provide a suitable level of defiance but ultimately fade into the background to make room for the next bad guy.

And maybe that’s the problem. Matrix: Reloaded adds so much to the mix that it frequently forgets to stop and fully explore the characters and concepts it introduces. The protagonists rush from locale to locale, savagely beating anyone that gets in their way as they follow their cues in a desperate attempt to save their real-world city Zion from being eaten for breakfast by the machines. It’s a given that any serious character development or philosophical discussion will be quickly interrupted by an opponent kung-fu kicking through a window…or wall…or whatever else is available.

For every strong new addition to the Matrix universe, there is an equalizing detractor. Well portrayed villains Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and the Merovigian (Lambert Wilson) are weakened by their frustratingly ambiguous place within the plot. The incredible action sequences are balanced by an unnecessarily lengthy rave in Zion and a simultaneously terrible sex scene involving the equally unemotional Neo and Trinity. As both characters sport a variety of electronic plugs and holes on their bodies, this part of the film reminded me more of a disgusting fetish porno than a passionate union of souls. The surprising twist ending is negated by the annoyingly anticlimactic “To be concluded” that rips any sense of resolution from your desperately grasping fingers.

Hardcore Matrix fanboys will feverishly tell you that the film’s loose ends are meant to be that way, that Matrix: Reloaded is merely the first half of what the Wachowski brothers intended to be a complete five hour masterpiece.

And they may be right. As much as I convey my disappointment in this review, Matrix: Reloaded still stands head and shoulders above the majority of modern science fiction and martial arts movies combined. The franchise’s level of sheer cultural popularity and influence makes it a must-see flick, regardless of inherent weaknesses in this specific iteration of the saga. Plot ambiguities can be partially explained away by watching the Animatrix series of short films available on the internet and soon to be released on DVD.

What is The Matrix? Simple: one of the most influential films for the masses in recent memory. What is Matrix: Reloaded? A promise, wedged amongst overwhelming usage of sensationalistic, wicked-awesome-rad special effects and action scenes, of a satisfactory conclusion to be delivered shortly, and transference of hype and anticipation to Matrix: Revolutions for providing the ultimate thrill. Let’s hope the Wachowski brothers can deliver.

Too bad the trilogy ended up being a huge disappointment. My skepticism is justified!