Wow. I have seen this movie in four theatres a total of five times and I am still blown away by some of the special effects and choreography. I went into The Matrix Reloaded (M2) not having seen the first Matrix (M1) movie in a theatre. This made my M2 movie going experience all the more positive. I liked a lot of things about this movie and I tolerated a few others.
The acting is superb... especially by the supporting cast. Obviously Neo, Morpheus and Trinity continue on the unemotional acting path however, it fits the movie perfectly. The tradition of the classic one-liner, which was ever-present in The Matrix, is carried on in M2. Lines from M1 like Neo: I know Kung Fu. and Trinity: Dodge this. are complemented in M2 by Neo: Hiya, fellas. and Seraph: You never truly know someone until you fight them. M2 starts quick with dream sequence involving a gunfight between Trinity and an agent and ends abruptly with well, I won't spoil it for you!
The story is very intriguing and well told. Strong philosophical and religious themes have already caused M2 to be banned in Egypt. M2 will struggle to stand-alone because it is one part of a three-part story however, if you do watch it without having seen M1 you will still enjoy it.
On to the thing I had to tolerate most in M2. Hmm how about gratuitous use of CGI to render the people of M2 specifically, Neo? A couple of scenes would have benefited had they used less full CGI person rendering and more CGI/real person integration. Enough said.
Overall, I loved this movie; in fact, this movie is now my all time favorite even topping M1. It is stylish, fun, explosive, sexy, fast, philosophically intense, action-packed and much, much more. I plan on Reloading in the IMAX this weekend. I will write a short review on that experience as well.
Where did I rank this movie? Click here.
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