The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2003
	Director: The Wachowski Brothers (Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending)
	Actors: Keanu Reeves (Speed, 47 Ronin), Laurence Fishburne (Contagion), Carrie-Anne Moss (Memento, Red Planet), Hugo Weaving (The Lord of the Rings), Harold Perrineau (Sons of Anarchy TV-series)
	Country: USA
	Genre: SF
	Conditions of visioning: 10.05.2015, Blu-ray, Home cinema
Synopsis: Neo (Reeves) and his friends continue to fight their enemies (old and new) in and out of the Matrix.
Review: Shot at the same time, the two sequels Reloaded and Revolutions to the cult The Matrix generated so much anticipation that they could only disappoint the fans of the first movie. Not because the movies are poorly done or lack ideas but because they show the audience many things they have been imagining for four years and the vision of the Wachowski cannot fit the imagination of all on every topic. As much as I appreciate many scenes in Reloaded, I cannot hide that I was disturbed by some other ones, like showing Zion which was only mentioned up to now and turned out different from what I expected, especially filled with thousands of people which for me diminished the intensity of having a small rebellion against the huge machines. In the same line, the dance/party scene in the cases seems out of place. There are also the hovercraft scenes in the sewers, and the final explanation of the role of the One. Something that bothered me as well is the false philosophical questions that are too often left open-ended, especially from the Oracle: "Why me?" > "You know why", "I have to choose" > "You have already made a choice", or "Why are you here" > "Because I have to". All of those drowning the few good ones like "We are not here because we are free, we are here because we are not free". So I think what disappointed people is that the movie was finally showing them something different than they had imagined, and this is why I wrote in my review of The Matrix that a valid choice is to watch it in stand-alone. This feeling of over-explanation can be found in other sequels, the one coming to my mind being the second Star Wars trilogy (OK not exactly a movie sequel but rather a trilogy prequel) that demystified too much the legend by showing many Jedis, Yodi in his prime (but hey, what would you have expected?) and what disturbed me most: the future Darth Vader carrying a backpack or a suitcase like a mundane Earthling. Past this impression, I quite like the movie thanks to an improved score, a constant action and good Kung Fu scenes. Reloaded contains the best action scene of the trilogy for me, which lasts half an hour from the visit to the Merovingian to the impressive car chase on the Freeway. Everything converges to make a fantastic action scene: fast-paced music, innovative camera angles and special effects, the stakes of a high-speed pursuit in the Matrix and of Morpheus fighting an agent... it doesn't let you catch your breath for thirty minutes. However I found that the digital doubles used for Neo or Smith in some scenes look bad as they are shown from too close. This is a pity because the trilogy is otherwise on the forefront of digital effects while at the same time not hesitating is using good old mechanical effects, cables and miniatures, as I was reminded when looking at a few making-of documentaries.
Rating: 7 /10