Review of The Matrix Reloaded (2003) by Kai82 — 01 Jun 2021

This movie is divisive for me and others. The characters, action, fights, style and visuals are excellent. However the story is not as good as before, has some lengths, a cliffhanger ending and the answers to some question are weakening the experience.

Over the years I often read that the Wachowskis brothers were surprised by the success of the Matrix and had no plan for a sequel at hand. Because by Hollywood rules a sequel must be made if a movie is successful they had no choice but to do it anyway.

For clarification: The Matrix did an amazing job in explaining things but also keep up mysteries for certain things for you to fill. This works well and makes a medium more immersive and enjoyable. However it is also a trap for the writers as you have to deliver satisfying answers.

Negative examples were the conclusion for Lost or the X-Files in TV or the ending of Mass Effect 3 or Samus Arans more flashed out character in Metroid Other M (The later is viewed as character assassination by fans).

In short Matrix Reloaded explained more but the extensions to the lore and world are not satisfying enough (Some can be viewed as deconstruction). Also in hindsight there is a lot in the plot that has not that much purpose.

Story: Shortly after the events of the prequel Neo struggles with his newfound powers and purpose as chosen one / savior of mankind. Meanwhile the machines have located the city of Zion where the human resistance live.

It is only a matter of time before a devastating attack starts. Neo starts an odyssey inside the Matrix to find a way to stop the attack while another threat thought to be eliminated rises to stop him.

On paper it sounds amazing and parts of it truly are. Sadly there is skipable material in the movie too or lets say it has it lengths. The cliffhanger ending is no surprise as it was know that they filmed 2 movies at once.

It is however still a disappointment. The characters again deliver a great performance with Keanu Reeves as Neo, Carrie Anne Moss as Trinity and Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus. These 3 resume their roles and again are as awesome as stylish.

The antagonist I wont spoil is equally great. Far more menacing than Agent Smith from the prequel ;-). I also like the Merowinger played by Lambert Wilson, the twins played by Adrian / Neil Rayment and the Keymaker played by Randall Duk Kim.

However I ask myself what they actually deliver except for extending the movie and adding some not that important challenges (Who have awesome fights nd scenes to be fair). The rest of the cast is fine and the overall performance is quite good.

Visually they kept the unique style and impressive effects. Nothing to criticize here. The action and fight scenes are amazing and a strength of the movie. Without these far more people would have complained.

Overall it could not redo the experience that was the Matrix. It is a weaker sequel and did not win me over. It is the set up for the final movie. Bonus knowledge: There is an interesting fan theory about the Matrix that makes strangely far more sense that the sequel movies story.

The real world is fake too and the human resistance is still trapped inside the Matrix. It is just another layer and safety measure. The machines knew that not all humans could be convinced that the Matrix is the real life / reality.

For those they created the real world simulation to give them something they wont doubt. It is logical, feasible and explains how Neo can do some stuff at the end of the movie that he should not be able to do even as chosen one (I am vague to avoid spoilers).