Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continue their fight against the machines and the dreaded Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). With new threats arising seemingly every minute, their journey becomes more tumultuous with each passing moment. The Matrix Reloaded is the sequel to the 1999 hit The Matrix–and this film follows our heroes as they do what they can to save their people and bring balance to the twisted world in which they live. With time working against them, they must come together and help The One fulfill the prophecy of The Oracle (Gloria Foster) before it’s too late.
It’s no secret that The Matrix relied heavily on new and groundbreaking visuals, and viewers expect the same thing of The Matrix Reloaded; that’s certainly what they get. However, there’s a shift in the visuals that viewers receive throughout The Matrix Reloaded, and it’s surprising.
The Matrix Reloaded is far more sexual in nature than its predecessor, and while that change appeals to one of the most basic human needs it alters the series in a bad way. It loses the luster of the intimacy of action and the narrative that The Wachowskis presented viewers with in the past, and it transitions to something more gimmicky. Early in The Matrix Reloaded, as the slew of new and old characters gather and prepare for the inevitable attack that will soon come to be, a scene that lasts more than five minutes focuses nearly entirely on sex, the human form, and the role that sex plays in our everyday lives. I understand that there’s a deeper meaning(s) that exist in these moments, but the reality is that this focus drowns out the other intricacies of what the Wachowskis offered viewers in the first installment of this franchise.
Two aspects of the previous film that I unfortunately didn’t get to touch on, but remain as beautiful as ever in The Matrix Reloaded, are the soundtrack and the choreography. There’s no doubt that composer Don Davis has developed a masterpiece in each of the soundtracks present in this universe, but what is it about those soundtracks that make them so riveting, so entertaining? There are times when the songs of a film’s soundtrack can adhere to one theme, one genre, or one idea–and while that cohesion bodes well for the films in which they exist, Davis veers from that to a degree. The soundtrack to The Matrix Reloaded doesn’t restrict itself to one genre and transcends the world of music. Rock, pop, techno, etc. all marry together to create something brilliantly endearing and vibrant. Davis’ soundtrack acts as another character in the grand scheme of The Matrix Reloaded, and it helps to deliver both the good and the bad of the groundbreaking sequel.
Part of the aforementioned visuals is the choreography. Without the incredible action sequences developed by Charles Moulton and his team, The Matrix Reloaded fails, and viewers fail to see the merit in what the Wachowskis bring to the table. For those of you that have seen the film, you know which scene on which I’m about to speak, for those of you that have yet to see this spectacular film, buckle your seatbelts and enter the Matrix, because you’re missing out on one of the greatest spectacles of all time. The scene in question is the fight sequence between Neo and the many Smiths. With literally dozens of characters on screen at the same time it seems impossible that flawless choreography may be able to exist, but it does. Every second of this breathtaking fight bleeds perfection and engages audiences like only a handful of scenes in cinema have ever been able.
Action films don’t always appeal to the masses due to the fact that their mere concepts or cinematography may be lacking, but The Matrix Reloaded is one of a kind and a cinephile’s dream. There’s one major shift in the narrative from the previous film to The Matrix Reloaded, and that is sex. Sure, sexual undertones existed in the previous installment of the franchise, but nothing to the extent that viewers see here in The Matrix Reloaded. Without that shift I truly believe that the Wachowskis would have produced a sequel superior to their first film of the franchise. Regardless, however, The Matrix Reloaded stands out as a spectacular cinematic spectacle that is sure to please viewers around the world and fans of the action genre. Between the sophisticated soundtrack and the brilliance of what Moulton brings to the table in terms of cinematography, The Matrix Reloaded is bound to be successful–as the Wachowskis have done it again.
Written & Directed by Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) & Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers).
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Ian Bliss, Collin Chou, Gloria Foster, Roy Jones Jr., Randall Duk Kim, Harry Lennix, Harold Perrineau, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrian Rayment, Neil Rayment, Shane C. Rodrigo, Gina Torres, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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