atrix Reloaded”” is unfortunately cursed with being the Jan Brady of the “”Matrix”” trilogy: It delivers and it’s not a bad film, but it doesn’t pack the punch of its predecessor. There’s a third film, meaning a large part of “”Reloaded”” is a two-hour setup for the grand finale in November. Nevertheless, “”Reloaded”” pushes the boundaries of computer graphics as no film has done before, but don’t expect to be shocked and awed like the first film did.
With a mix of sci-fi, action, Western, Japanese anime, religion and philosophy, “”Reloaded”” ups the ante by including more fights, drama and twists than the original. Those additions don’t necessarily make for a better film, though. Trying to show that they can improve upon the original, “”The Matrix,”” directors Andy and Larry Wachowki added more violence, sexuality and philosophical ponderings into this two-hour movie. The movie tries too hard to escape the middle-child syndrome and consequently, it lacks the originality and escapism fanfare of the original.
In order to understand the events that happen in “”Reloaded,”” watching the first film is a must. The machine world is plotting the destruction of the last humans on earth, who are located in a subterranean city known as Zion. As the machines are encroaching toward the city walls, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is seen in the eyes of some as The One, the savior that will lead them toward triumph over the machines.
Supporting Neo is his lover Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and mentor Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), as they try a last-minute effort, based on a prophecy, to end the war immediately. The three heroes embark on a journey that will lead them to new places, new characters and obviously, some of the best fight scenes that have appeared on screen.
Neo encounters Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), who is now a free agent/program that is unconstrained within the Matrix. Agent Smith now has the ability to clone himself, setting up for a battle between Neo and 100 Agent Smiths. The fights in “”Reloaded”” show a new level of computer-generated sophistication that shatters any previous films.
At times, the movie tries to showcase its technological prowess and neglects the storyline and pacing of the film. The fight scenes are overextended and unnecessarily long, after the audience gets the point of seeing Neo battling his way through his enemies. After several minutes of repetitious martial arts, Neo flies away from the pack of Agent Smiths with his “”Superman thing;”” you wonder, couldn’t he do this in the beginning?
Several new, interesting characters appear in “”Reloaded,”” including the bourgeois Merovinigan (Lambert Wilson), who has the best line in the film in comparing cursing in French to “”wiping his ass in silk,”” and his bodyguards, the Twins. It’s too bad that more time was spent on the action sequences than on character development; it would have made for a more enriching experience.
Where the Wachoswkis shine is their ability to choreograph and plan elaborate scenes. “”Reloaded”” has what is sure to be one of the best, if not the best, car chase sequence in cinematic history. Going on a 14-minute chase, Trinity and Morpheus drive through a freeway while being chased by the twins and the authorities. More than just a chase, characters fly through car roofs, windshields and just about anything that is moving. With some computer-generated assistance, the camera shoots up close and personal, giving the audience an up close view as if they were actually being pursued.
There is a cliffhanger, but the ending is muddled and anti-climactic. The sequel seems more of a setup for the next film more than existing as a film in itself.
“”Matrix Reloaded”” has an inferiority complex; it tries to pull out all the bells and whistles in an attempt to outdo the first film. This leads to more action and less story, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but you leave the theater more with a whimper than a bang, unlike the original “”Matrix.””
Matrix Reloaded
***
Starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne
In theaters May 15
Rated R
