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I’m sure I’ve said it before. Sequels make me nervous. So while I waited impatiently for four years, eagerly anticipating the next movie in the Matrix trilogy, I was still a little nervous. You know how sequels go. Often, filmmakers take what was successful and copy it -- the same old jokes, the same old tricks, the same old story. And it’s never quite as good the second time around.
The Matrix Reloaded isn’t the same old thing. In fact, it’s surprisingly different. Don’t worry -- the spectacular action is still there (in fact, you hardly have time to catch your breath between action scenes) and it’s even better than before. The visual effects are mind-boggling. And the plot is just as intricate and pleasantly perplexing as before.
As in the movie, I’m not going to summarize the plot of the first movie. If you haven’t seen it -- or you need a refresher -- quickly read through my review. In The Matrix Reloaded, viewers learn more about the world of the future. They meet new characters. They learn more about how the Matrix works (thanks to a mind-spinning conversation between Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, and the architect who designed the Matrix). And they actually get to see Zion -- the last human city, buried under ground, near the center of Earth. But Zion is in danger. Machines are quickly drilling toward the city, intent on destroying Earth’s “free” humans, and in 72 hours, Zion will be destroyed. Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), however, is convinced that the rescue of Zion and the end of the war between humans and machines lie in Neo, who he believes to be “The One.” At the same time, Neo (who, incidentally, has learned some fun Superman-like tricks since the first movie), is forced to battle a new-and-improved Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), all the while losing sleep over dreams of Trinity’s (Carrie-Anne Moss) death.
It doesn’t get any more intense than this. It took at least an hour for my breathing to return to normal after I walked out of the theater. The action never ends -- in fact, at times it felt like there was a little too much action. And the cast did an excellent job -- even Keanu Reeves, who, if you’ll recall, I found to be a bit questionable in the previous film.
The story just keeps getting more complex. Just when you thought you had the first movie figured out, the Matrix throws you a few more mind-blowing curves. I’m still trying to put all the pieces together.
Be warned, though. This movie is rated R for a reason. The Matrix Reloaded is shockingly sensual -- and I’m sure that the parents whose kids were seated around me yesterday had a lot of explaining to do when it was all over.
So leave the kids at home -- but definitely go and check this one out. It’s worth every penny. And, fortunately, you won’t have to wait another four years for the trilogy’s conclusion. It hits theaters in November.
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