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Matrix Reloaded Has Some Sector Errors
By rickyjames, Section News
Posted on Thu May 15, 2003 at 10:11:53 AM PST
Movies No spoilers in this review of Matrix Reloaded...but then, I'm still trying to figure out what I just saw, so I'm not sure I could give away The Big Secret if I wanted to. First things first. Yes, it's remarkable; yes, it's worth seeing; yes, the Brothers have kept the faith with the Fans. Still, the critics are on to something when they talk about a slow first half dragging the movie down. I was thinking / hoping that MR was in reality a four hour movie of which we only got to see the first half (with the rest this Thanksgiving), so the slow buildup would be necessary exposition. Nope. The movie Matrix Revolution in six months may start five seconds after this one ends, but it's gonna be about a whole new ballgame...

Matrix Reloaded (both figuratively and in the Neo/Trinity love scene, literally) pulls the camera back to catch a panoramic view of its world . While this broader perspective is certainly epic and breathtaking, it's much more distant from the original story that was so engrossing. The (original) Matrix was about a lone individual questioning the nature of reality and discovering his personal destiny, with the help of close friends and a unique representation of evil opposition in a single Agent Smith. Matrix Reloaded is about the Final Battle in a really Big War and so seems much more impersonal. Individual villains are replaced by clone cannon fodder. Shoulder to shoulder unit combat has been replaced with the tactics and politics of a naval battle. Claustrophobic, up close battles have been replaced by roomy freeway ballets. There's more action and there are more people and there are more places and there are more opticals and there are more objects this time around...but last time around, we only really cared about The One.

Matrix Reloaded Has Some Sector Errors | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)

Additional Ruminations...No Spoilers (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by rickyjames on Fri May 16, 2003 at 12:54:44 AM PST
In the shower this morning (where I do my best thinking) I got to comparing Matrix Reloaded to Empire Strikes Back, which is my favorite Star Wars movie of them all, and which proves that a middle episode in a trilogy doesn't have to be a lull or dip in the series. I concluded that Empire suceeded brilliantly because it focused on the continued development and journey of self-discovery of Luke, and the intense ongoing battle in Empire remained a BACKDROP. In Matrix Reloaded, the battle is at the FOREFRONT. Neo is at the peak of his powers when he starts and is at the peak of his powers when he ends. He makes plenty of discoveries and decisions and choices, but they're all about the world in which he lives, not about his inner self or personality. Even his love of Trinity is depicted as full bloom, full throttle all the way - no character development, just what two people who loved each other totally would naturally do for each other. So....Matrix Reloaded, a hell of a sci-fi movie, but Empire still tops it by a lot as a middle installment. YMMV.

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A comparison with the first film (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Drog on Fri May 16, 2003 at 06:36:04 AM PST
I saw Reloaded yesterday too and while I thought it was awesome and well worth the money, I enjoyed it less than the first.

One aspect that I really enjoyed about the first film, was watching Neo's character develop and mature as he slowly learned what he was capable of. In Reloaded, Neo has virtually zero character development--he's already a superhero well accustomed to his powers.

Another aspect I enjoyed about the first film the puzzlement and challenge of trying to figure out what was really going on when seemingly impossible events (such as Neo's mouth suddenly being sealed shut) transpired--an "is this reality or not?" theme common to Philip K. Dick stories. Reloaded has a bit of this, particularly near the end, but never that much.

Finally there's the special effects, stunts and fight sequences. There's no denying that the Reloaded does a great job of trying to outdo the first film in these areas. But unfortunately, their revolutionary attempt at virtual cinematography, discussed here in a past SFT story, did not live up to the hype. It was amazing, but it was not indistinguishable from reality as the Wired article said. I could definitely tell exactly when it was being used because the texture and details suddenly dropped, creating a plastic look. I wouldn't have been disappointed in this if they hadn't said that it specifically wouldn't have a plastic look common to CGI. Still, it was great to see the first use of a new special effect technique that will undoubtedly improve in the coming years. I have no doubt that eventually it will become indistinguishable from reality.

So all in all, I enjoyed the first film more, but this movie is still well worth seeing, and I intend to see it several more times as well.

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SPOILER THREAD - Theories anyone? (3.00 / 1) (#5)
by Drog on Fri May 16, 2003 at 06:38:43 AM PST
For anyone who's seen the movie and wants to discuss their theories on what the ending means and how the next movie will play out, let's discuss it under this thread.

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Race Musings... No Spoilers (none / 0) (#8)
by Sweetwind on Sat May 17, 2003 at 01:20:16 PM PST
I have to admit I haven't seen the movie yet, but I read Roger Ebert's review and he mentioned that most of Zion (based on the extras shown in the Zion scenes) is black. At first I thought he meant African black like Morpheus, but then later it struck me that he might have meant dark-skinned-but-can't-quite-place-what-ancestry like Tank and his brother (Dozer? I forget the name) in the first movie. Can anyone clarify? The idea of the machines enforcing a racial Benneton-ad Matrix where everyone is of a clearly defined race, versus an utterly mixed-up racial hodgepodge in Zion, is an appealing notion.


Revolutions Trailer (none / 0) (#9)
by Drog on Sun May 18, 2003 at 01:32:10 AM PST
Just saw it again. This time, the audience was told in advance that after the credits is the trailer for The Matrix Revolutions, due out November 5. It looks good, but didn't give away much.

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Matrix Reloaded Has Some Sector Errors | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)

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