The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Reloaded in a nutshell: One incredibly cool, gravity-defying, CGI-aided, swirling-camera kung-fu melee; one jaw-dropping, 100-mph, against-traffic motorcycle fight/freeway chase; and way, way too much longwinded, self-important, pseudo-philosophical yappity-yappity-yap. Writer-directors the Wachowski Brothers lay on endless prattle while toiling to buttress metaphysical undertones and a confusing plot--and as a result, this sequel feels hollow and meaningless. Much of the story takes place in a sci-fi version of a ‘50s biblical epic (complete with women carrying breadbaskets and other walking clichés) where the last free humans are preparing for an attack by the machine race that has enslaved mankind in the Matrix, that virtual reality program we think is the real world. Meanwhile, cyber-Messianic hero Neo (Keanu Reeves) attempts to destroy the Matrix mainframe from inside the program, where slithery, dangerous sentient program Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has replicated himself like a virus. Burdened by atmospheric sequences that serve no purpose (a sex scene/Burning Man-styled rave) and telltale soft-focus CGI effects, Reloaded isn't worth sitting through for those two cool action scenes when the other super-kung-fu fights don't even measure up to the original. Libraries will likely want to purchase to meet demand, but this is one disappointing follow-up. [Note: Available in both widescreen and full screen editions, DVD extras include a 22-minute “Preload” behind-the-scenes featurettes, a 30-minute segment on the ins and outs of “The Freeway Chase” sequence, a 28-minute featurette on the making-of the “Enter the Matrix” video game, the 10-minute featurette “Get Me an Exit” on the extensive design/advertising campaign, a 10-minute “The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded” spoof (featuring Justin Timberlake, Seann William Scott, and Will Ferrell), the five-minute featurette “The Matrix Unfolds” on the popularity of the sci-fi trilogy, a trailer for The Animatrix, and weblinks. Bottom line: a rather unimpressive collection of standard featurettes and ads for a rather unimpressive sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)