Just to kick off this review, I’m going to sum up this movie in a word – “wow.” I’ve been a huge fan of The Matrix since it first came out in 1999, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the sequel for the four years since the first. I was lucky enough to see the first showing on the first night it was showing. I saw it last night, Wednesday. I found out that the rule is if the movie ends on the opening date, it can start on the day before. So last night I went to the 10:10pm show with my friends Neal and Zarah. Neal is also a Matrix freak so we were endlessly discussing what might happen in the movie and how it would be presented. Once the line started moving, the conversation abruptly ended and our only objective was to get into the theater and find good seats. We ended up in around the 5th row, so we were pretty damn close to the screen, but it made the move much more immersive.
Ok, the movie itself. If you haven’t seen it, you can still read this because I’m not going to spoil anything, and I’ll only mention things in the previews. The plot was at times, a bit confusing, but all was cleared up with a few moments of reflection on what was just said – especially at the end! The love story between Neo and Trinity was well played out, echoed the first movie well, and actually had a few good moments of laughter. The minimal points of comedy in the movie were quick and pulled off without getting goofy – they each had a dark, Matrix feel – perfect execution. The whole movie was about choice, destiny, power, and control. It’s obvious that the producers have done their religious and philosophical readings. Ok, onto the stunts and effects.
The fight scenes were absolutely ridiculous. They were long, fast, and brilliantly choreographed – some using bold, amazing special effects, and some using subtle, aerobatic stunts that are so seamless it looks like they didn’t practice or use wires. The more produced fight scenes were so overwhelming they were almost excessive. Several times during the 4 minute long double-time fight scenes I thought to myself, “Holy crap, is this ever gonna end?” Trust me, this didn’t detract from the fight scenes at all, but I think another minute added to each one and you might not be able to take it all in. The fight against the Smiths was seemingly neverending. They just kept multiplying and multiplying, and Neo just kept on kicking ass. And kick ass he did – not with the exact ease as he did at the end of the first movie, but nonetheless he was amazing. Trinity and Morpheus laid their usual beat-downs upon the candy asses of security guards and agents alike(well, the agents were a lot tougher).
The freeway scene. It just wouldn’t end. It kept going on and on and topping itself over and over with a cooler effect every few seconds. The ending of the freeway scene was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s just because I was 9 feet from the screen, hehe.
I will admit that I was giddy in my seat several times during the movie. I’m no stranger to great special effects and brilliant cinematography, but my jaw dropped at least 3 times while watching The Matrix Reloaded. Go see it. Go now. Wear all black and sunglasses. Ok maybe not that one. Just go experience it.