The Matrix Reloaded

Submitted by on 29 May, 2003 - 12:00

Despite having watched the first Matrix film only three weeks before the release of Reloaded, I liked it enough to buy the DVD, visit the internet sites and embarrass myself attempting the flying kung fu. As a sort of fan, then, I was simultaneously engrossed and rather disappointed by the second instalment of the trilogy.

For the infinitesimal section of the population that still hasn't seen the first film, the gist is as follows. Computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) is inducted by what appears to be a terrorist cult - whose members reveal to him that the 'real world' of the late 20th century is in fact a computer-generated fantasy created in the late 21st century by intelligent machines which, having defeated humanity in a nuclear war, use the bodies of the millions plugged into this 'Matrix' as a power source.

Having been pulled out into the real world, Neo becomes part of the human resistance movement, learning to re-enter the Matrix and eventually bend it to his will. The result is some spectacular action scenes, with human rebels and Agents (incarnate computer programmes designed to police the system) battling it out.

The Matrix suffered from gaping plot holes, philosophical pretentiousness and political incoherence (the film was taken very seriously in some, chiefly undergraduate, quarters). Although it would be quite simple to give the film a left-wing gloss (explaining what the Matrix is, rebel leader Morpheus tells Neo: "You were born a slave - born into a prison that you cannot see or touch"), its politics are less Marxist than Bakuninist - the elite conspiratorial band acting to save humanity, with a comprehensive and often violent contempt for those they are supposedly fighting to liberate. Despite all this, those beautifully choreographed and realised fight scenes combined with striking design, memorable characters and a sharp if fairly minimalist script combine to let The Matrix rise above its limitations.

The Matrix Reloaded starts with a good twist on a familiar action premise: the rebels discover that they have 72 hours to save Zion, the last human city on earth, from a machine invasion (perhaps the bots are confused SWP members seeking to destroy the 'Zionist entity') - and the key to victory lies inside the Matrix. Yet somehow the charm of the original film has dimmed slightly, while the flaws have become more noticeable.

In particular, the creators' propensity for postmodernist beard-stroking has run riot, with awkward dialogues about the nature of 'choice' made all the more unbearable by Keanu Reeves' slow-motion acting (he has definitely got worse since 1999 and he was only ever very good when moving quickly through the air). There are also some lines which should never have made it anywhere near the finished script - mostly delivered, again, by the ligneous Mr Reeves.

Above all, some of the original's haunting atmosphere has dissipated - largely, perhaps, because the sequel is much more like an ordinary sci-fi film, with extended sequences set in the post-apocalyptic future world outside the Matrix.

Having said (all) that, I enjoyed Reloaded immensely. The fight scenes, making use of various complicated computer technologies, are really quite astonishing; most of the main actors (particularly Laurence Fishburne, who plays Morpheus, and Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays Neo's lover Trinity) are excellent; and even poor old Keanu is pretty damn likeable. The two hour 38 minute film never lags and it is still far more intelligent than your average blockbuster.

Make sure you see it, but, if you liked the original, prepare to be both thrilled and a little disappointed.

Reviewer: Sacha Ismail

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