Matrix Reloaded Reviews and Discussions - WARNING! SPOILERS!

[Chris D]

Note: I will try to keep my first post in this thread free of significant plot spoilers for the sake of those who haven't seen the movie yet. But further discussion may get more detailed.

Okay, I just got back from seeing an advance showing of the Matrix Reloaded. Anyone else? The theater here in Tacoma, WA was only about 80% full, only showing on one screen. I was very surprised, but that was even better than the first showings of X2 in the same location.

Overall, I liked the movie. Not quite as good as the first, but that one was a hard one to top. The first one can stand as its own movie, with a complete plot and resolution of the main story, only hinting at more. The second can not, only telling the first half of a 5 hour, two-part movie. I am very glad I only have to wait until Nov. for Revolutions.

The first had a good flow to it, drawing me immediately into the story and keeping me there, captivating my interest. Scenes were all of good length and mixing of types (slow, dramatic, action, etc). This is the area I most feel Reloaded falls slightly short. The beginning stumbles a bit to draw you in, and I wasn't as engrossed in the story. Certain scenes seem to drag on, adding little to the story or mood. Surprisingly, the scenes I thought were most guilty of this were certain ones from Zion and certain fight/action scenes, both of which I had guessed before the movie were going to be highlights.

But fear not, there IS good action and story in the movie, and many will like it. One of the reasons the first movie was so successful is that people could watch and enjoy it from many angles, as an action flick, a sci-fi thriller, a philosophical thinker, or religious stimulant. I think those who only want a stand-alone action or sci-fi flick will be disappointed this time. But those (like me) that very much appreciated the DEEP, DEEP philosophical, literary, and religious allegories of the first movie will find a lot of substantive food for thought in the second as well. The movie this time focuses more on the meaning of life, man's purpose, and what it means to have a choice.

The manner in which the philosophy is presented or touched upon is not as smoothly integrated as the first movie, where a subtle line made you think "wait a minute, that raises an interesting question". In Reloaded, it is occasionally just flat out stated by characters, kind of a "try this one on for size".

One thing--numbers are becoming very significant. Look for the number "101" to show up many, many times in both the first and second movie (i.e. Neo's apartment number in the first). This seems to be an allegory to George Orwell's "1984" in which apartment 101 is important. But it could also be referring to the idea of an educational course, of which is perhaps the point of the Matrix movies, making us aware of basic philosophical principles and questions man has raised over time, much like Philosophy 101. But realize 101 is also the binary number for 5--keep that in mind as certain numerical items are talked about in the movies. (I won't say more right now) The number 303 does show up as well a few times, on a license plate in the first movie and one of the highways in the second.

Last thing that keeps running through my mind--watch in the second movie as the plot involves the ship "Nebucanezzar" (sp), named after the king of Babylon in the biblical book of Daniel. Morpheus utters the heavily emphasized line "I had a dream once... that dream is no more". This seems to be directly implying connections with the story of Daniel interpreting the king's dreams in the Bible, but I can't make out the actual meaning the writers were trying to show.

I'm sure more will come to mind, but that's it for now.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Chris D]

Ah, yes... my overall rating. I give it a B+

Worth going to see for all, except those like I mentioned who are looking only for a single stand-alone action or sci-fi movie, not interested in deeper storylines.

You may not be blown away, but I think you'll like a lot of it.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[David Meek]

Good post Chris. :T I've been banned from seeing Reloaded until Jen gets back to town, so maybe this Sunday. . . .

The religious and philosophical aspects of The Matrix have stuck with me much more thoroughly than the action - although Carrie Ann Moss in black leather stuck pretty well, too. :B We have a good friend, also named Chris, that is a practicing psychiatrist and also a minister of the Gnostic faith and we've had many discussions revolving around the fact that the storyline in The Matrix is (albeit simplified) an allegory of the Gnostic tenets. I'm very much interested in whether or not Reloaded continues in that vein and whether the philosophical question-raising continues also. Sounds like it does - Yeah! I'm sure I'll have more comments after seeing this much anticipated movie.

Oh, just for the record, I'm Presbyterian/Methodist, not Gnostic.




David - HTGuide flunky
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[John Holmes]

I saw this last night at a 10:50pm showing. Not used to those late nights anymore. :Z :B And at the theater here, all four screens were sold out!!! We (wife and I) got there an hour and ten minutes before the show. With pre-purchased tickets in hand, and still had to wait in a long line to get in.

I think Chris summed this film up pretty well. I'll just add. I love action. And still found that some of these scenes lasted way too long. Not that it wasn't some of the best action scenes to date. Just a little over done. As if they felt a need to make the sequel stand on it's own merit as oppose to being part of a trilogy.

The designer of the fight scences, should receive a ton of recognition for this. Lot's of originality in this one. Those with FPTV are going to get a real treat when this comes to dvd. As this is one of those films that's impact is best realized on the big screen. The outstanding vision of camera angles, puts you right in the middle of the action. My 32" will never do it justice.

If you have not scene the first movie, there will be a ton of holes in this one. So see the first, then beat feet to see the sequel. :45:




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Gordon Moore]

I pretty much agree with Chris. In a way I enjoyed the dialogue more than the action. I like where this is going (especially when the architect had his say).

Did they hit it out of the park...no...well...maybe. This is truly part 1 of 2.

I will say that some of the fighting seemed rather contrived. The music in this movie seems "out of place" at times and for a couple of the fight scenes adds nothing...in fact it gets in the way.

The movie is farily tight but not as tight as the original, especially the events leading up to the end seemed rushed and thrown together...almost out of place with the rest of the movie...weird.

The effects are quite good but for some reason or another didn't "pull me in" the way it was intended. It WAS pretty much seemless...highly inventive...maybe it was overkill...I dunno. This is my early take and I have to digest it more. The freeway chase has to be experienced :T

I wouldn't mind seeing this a few more times b4 Revolutions as there are quite a few key dialogue moments that seem to slip your mind even an hour or so after you've seen it and I would like to go into the 3rd refreshed.

The DVD potential is HUGE visually and sonically.

If you don't know...stick around to the very end of the credits to see the Revolutions teaser. I was surprised to see only about 30 people stick around for this...I guess the word wasn't out yet.

Solid B ...funny, I thought I'd enjoy the Matrix over X-Men but I have to admit that the X-men is a better balanced movie (IMO). I'm a bigger fan of movies that stand on their own and reloaded really doesn't...I disagree with the people that say it does...I don't see how...it is a means to an end.

You've already chosen to see Revolutions...you just have to figure out why




"A RONSTER!"

[Chris D]

Gordon- Yeah, I forgot to mention the soundtrack. I was pretty disappointed. The dojo training scene in the first movie was one of my favorite scenes of the whole flick. I love how the music really brought the action together and gave it a groovy feel. Not nearly as well done this time, not only in action scenes, but throughout the whole movie.

I also stuck around through the (long) credits, since I got the pointer beforehand. Some interesting stuff there, but nothing overwhelming.

Another thing--the virus twins. Based on teasers and ads, I would have thought they would have a MUCH bigger role in the movie. But only one action scene string! (from the mansion to the highway) I was surprised about the underdevelopment of this character, even more so than I felt about Darth Maul in TPM.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Gordon Moore]

storyline in The Matrix is (albeit simplified) an allegory of the Gnostic tenets.

Interesting, although I'm not up on the whole Gnostic thing so maybe you can elaborate...I thought Gnostic was something to the effect that the path to God occurs at a higher level of learning or consciousness. Sort of an not everyone will get an audience unless they do their homework type thing. And Agnostic is acknowledgement that God or a higher power is remotely possible but not probable or something like that (more open to the freewill concept, "I'm in control") :?


Spoilersvill and discussion:

Neo stopping the sentinels definately suggests a Matrix within a Matrix. Possibly the architects attempt to appease the 1% that don't accept the Matrix versions 1 - 7. The programming would probably sense their unacceptance of each version and creates Zion while the Matrix generates the necessary upgrades for the next version of the Matrix. When Zion is destroyed, the Matrix Reloads and Zion waits for people to load into it. This time around it took 100 years to re-code the next version of the matrix, As the system discovers annomilies (Morpheus, Neo etc...) it just plunked them into the Zion sub-program. Destroying the old Matrix Code and Zion is only a 24 hour process. The one is a farce...the prophecy is given to a few of the really strong ones to give them belief and hope and keep them somewhat at bay so they don't figure out that Zion ain't real either.

Haven't quite figured out Smith yet...he definately is a rogue program screwing around, and the Architect wouldn't give Neo every answer...that would be silly so he hasn't mentioned Smith. Smith is either a Judas or an Anti-Christ something like that.

The Oracle was referred to as a machine or a program becasue I believe that she is actually a program, definately not a phyiscal machine.

People may be very dissatisfied with the ending of Revolutions because I'm going to bet that we are left with more questions than answers...just a guess no basis of fact to back it up.




"A RONSTER!"

[Gordon Moore]

And another possiblity
The beginning of the film was actually the end of the 5th reboot because in Neo's dream she hits the car, suggesting he has taken door #1 every other time.But in Matrix ver 6.0 he races like hell and catches her and for the first time takes door #2. The Oracle is perhaps an Oracle because she's seen this all before 5 or 6 other versions of the same fate doomed to repeat itself (but the other rogue programs would have as well and therefore have the same sight, hmmm).
The Architect suggesting to Neo about repopulating Zion does suggest a Matrix within because why would the machines want to rebuild a resistance? I think the outer Matrix wants 100% control and will not accept the 1% or so because a machine is unrelenting and has no ability to give up unless it is programmed to do so, so it continually adapts much like a virus. The Matrix may be one big virus in some form or another...course that's a stretch.




"A RONSTER!"

[Chris D]

One of the things I find so interesting hearing peoples' interpretations of the Matrix is how many different theories and belief systems fit the story. I see many allegories to the Christian faith (my own belief) and I don't know how anyone could not see it. The topics of a "rebirth", a "saviour", heaven/zion, free-will vs. fate, etc. Obviously the movie could only serve as allegory comparisons, as you really can't make a direct comparison of earthly situations and people to God. (well, you could, but then you're really crossing the line)

But I've read reviews from people who rave about how it explains their beliefs of Gnosticism, Buddhism, Eastern Mysticism, etc. Strange.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Gordon Moore]

Actually, why is it soooo strange???? It just better drives home the fact that most religions (although different in approach) are pretty much the same or working towards the same goal.

And since we are throwing our belief systems out there...I'm Roman Catholic...you know the religion that puts the G'ug in guilt :LOL:




"A RONSTER!"

[Gordon Moore]

Also, anyone have a take on ...
who that dude was that was being hustled out of the resturant when N, T and M go to Merovingian (sp) to find that keymaker??? It was fairly subtle but the bros. focused on him long enough to make me think he was relevant. At first I thought that was the keymaker but after they found the keymaker it was obvious he wasn't. He was never brought to light again for the rest of the film, but I can't help thinking that's not the last we've seen or heard. Otherwise, why turn the camera in his direction at all?




"A RONSTER!"

[efarstad]

Anyone else find the long and too drawn out sex/orgy-like/dance/rave scene out of place and missing a point? And what's with the "Chocolate Cake" scene too? Why put in these two sexually driven scenes in the movie? To me it ruined the story line and was totally unecessary for the script/story to continue. The first movie had no such "elaborate" scenes...perhaps they felt they needed to try and excite the mostly male audiences? :roll:

But for my wife and I it ruined the movie for us...it was good if you remove those two scenes IMHO. I'm by no means a prude, for we watch movies with some nudity in it...but what's the point here?

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[Chris D]

E: Funny, Jen and I were just talking about that last night. Zion in some ways has allegories to Heaven or to the Biblical City of Jerusalem, much talked about in Revelations. Even the scene of Neo entering the city of Zion, met by the masses begging for his help was reminiscent of Jesus' entrance into Jersusalem. But I too was surprised the way it was portrayed in the movie. I was watching the scene, going back and forth between the lovemaking and the dancing rave, and the sole thought in my head was, "Their city of Zion is Hedonism?" That threw me off, coupled with the references to the resistance leaders' speeches to the Zion masses as a "prayer". That I didn't get at all.

There are so many references to faith, especially with Morpheus! The first movie let me to think that there were rebels outside the Matrix who still believed in God. But the second has me thinking that all demonstrated faiths, beliefs, and powers of characters are claimed to be in, of, and from their fellow man and men's thoughts. Even Morpheus' strong faith and insistence of the prophecies of the Oracle, although allegorical to Godly prophecy and powers, only seem to be the mystical fortune-telling of a man/program's story of other men's powers.

Is this the direction the Wachowskis are going, down a path to state that all religion and higher beliefs are really only based on man's power, man's knowledge, and man's ability to save himself? Is it humanism at heart?

As for the sex itself and the moderately erotic scenes with the chocolate cake and later Merovingian's wife kissing Neo, I think the directors are also trying to show the power of love. It definitely is becoming a theme of sorts, since the Architect boils down Neo's choice to two principles: Love (of Trinity), or Duty (to free humanity from the Matrix). Carrie Ann-Moss was on a PBS talk show, and made the statement that love is definitely more of a player in the final two films.

Not all my hope is lost, either about issues of faith, or love! On the contrary, I definitely appreciate the complex thought-provoking issues the directors are putting in the movie. Although the Matrix was in no way definitive, I thought it more clear on issues raised than the second. I can only hope that things inserted into Reloaded are there for a purpose and will become more clear in Revolutions, not gratuitous.

going to bed now... (whew) :roll:




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[David Meek]

Be warned, there are small spoilers all through this post. Read at your own risk.

Most excellent (tip of the hat to an "earlier" Keanu) and thought provoking posts everyone! Jen and I (no, my Jen not Chris') caught Reloaded last night and I can read this thread now. Also, NOW I get the Reloaded reference in the title, and with that, the Revolutions title of the third movie gives me an uncomfortable feeling about how the story may end. Think about it. . . .

Going in, I knew this wasn't REALLY a stand-alone movie - it's the first half of a 4+ hour production, so the dangling story-lines didn't bother me. Well, other than the fact that I've got 6 months to wait for the resolutions (revolutions? ). Gordon, I haven't talked to "our" Chris about the ties to Gnosticism in Reloaded yet, so I can't give you any more insider thoughts on that, yet.

I think the underlying message in all of the Zion scenes is about humanity and all of the feelings and emotions inherently wrapped up in us. Love, desire, hope, fear, anger, even the survival instinct are all a part of the human condition. Zion and its inhabitants are the focus of all of that as the central part of the 1% anomalistic grouping that is required for the Matrix to function without failing - the pop-off valve, if you will. The Zion scenes directly contrast with the almost cardboard-like representations of humanity in the Matrix itself. The dance/lovemaking scene is the penultimate moment showing us as beautiful, erotic, physical beings grounded in the physical moment as a blatant and direct denial of the aims of the Matrix. There is a distinct sub-thread in this movie about the distinction between sexuality and love - the very deep and binding love between Neo and Trinity, the love of Morpheus for the Nebucanezzar, the deep feelings Link and his wife share vs. the blatant physicality of the dance, the orgasmic chocolate cake (recipe?), and Merovingian's sexual predator actions (in front of his wife, no less).

The architect is a hoot - I LIKE him/her/it. I like Helmut Bakaitis' representation of it. I wonder how many non-technical (non-computer type) viewers will keep up with his dialog on systems, modelling, anomalous behavior and programmatic iterations? I glanced around and saw a couple of MEGO expressions (My Eyes Glaze Over) in the audience. . . Oh, I also liked the literal representation of programmers' backdoors. Hahahahaha.

Gordon, good catch on the Matrix-within-the-Matrix angle. I couldn't quite make Neo's destruction of the Sentinels work out without turning him into a truly omniscient being.

Chris, could Morpheus' line about "the dream is no more" simply be a reference to his love of his ship? I've seen the bond that can form between a person and a ship and it's almost religious or transcendent at times. I came away thinking there's more to it than that, but I can't see where it would go in the storyline, either.

The only fight scene I had a problem with was the "Smith" scene at the playground. WAAAAYYYYYY over the top, and this is the only scene the CGI was not up to par in. You could easily tell the Neo and the Smiths (sounds like a pop band) were generated at times just due to the facial distortions. Speaking of Smith (one of my all-time favorite villians), I still don't see where he fits in now. Rogue? Yes. Assimilating other programs? Yes. But, is he now anti-Matrix? His operations don't move in concert with the Matrix's - ie. taking over the agent. He wants Neo dead, and obviously the Architect wanted Neo exclusively to re-start the program cycle. Hmmmm, gonna have to think on this one a bit longer.

A couple (three maybe?) of characters that I enjoyed were Seraph (the Oracle's bodyguard) "you never really know someone until you fight them", and the Twins - reality-shifting, telepathically-linked vampires - too cool. Hopefully, we'll see more of them in the final. "We are getting aggravated." "Yes, we are."

Visually and sonically, wow! Another knockout effort on the Wachowski brothers' part. There were some disjointed musical moments, but they didn't really impact much at the time. They may be more noticable on my next time through though. I'm drooling at the thought of this movie at home in Cinemeek. Yeah, baby! I'm also drooling at the thought of one poor guy having Carrie Anne Moss and Monica Bellucci both smooching on him. Whew. . . . :drool: :boobies: We didn't know about the Revolutions trailer. Darn. : Oh well, I'll catch it on the next viewing. I figure it'll take a couple of more to "assimilate" everything.

I'll come back with more a bit later after thinking on it. Bye for now.




David - HTGuide flunky
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[David Meek]

Jeez, my post brought this thread to a screeching halt! :? Either it was such a marvelous post it left everyone speechless, or it was a "this is soooo much bull**** I can't stand it" response, or what?




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[Brandon B]

I liked it quite a bit too. May go see it again this weekend. I was pleasantly surprised after all the not sohot reviews I saw.

And I got to see what was evidently the only 70mm print made, at the theater where they had the cast and crew premiere. Neener neener neener.

BB

[David Meek]

Neener neener neener.

:rofl:




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[Gordon Moore]

Anyone else find the long and too drawn out sex/orgy-like/dance/rave scene out of place and missing a point? And what's with the "Chocolate Cake" scene too? Why put in these two sexually driven scenes in the movie?

Actually no. I found that to be an expression of Zions freedom. Their last breath of individualism before the impending war with the matrix. The length didn't bother me as it was intercut with the Neo/Trinity love-making. It was sexually charged but not over the top and definately didn't show too much. Canadian and European attitudes towards this sort of thing definately differ from the U.S. market when it comes to sexuality so I dunno....from the friends I've talked to it wasn't a gripe issue.

The chocolate cake was an means to an end. It showed ,as David points out, the sexual predator that Merovigian (sp?) is and the straw that pushes his wife to help Neo and the gang. It was flirtatious but not necessarily out of step.

The sequels are moving less towards pointless/or pointed action and more towards the themes of love, the power of love and the power of choice. This will grow slightly out of step with the first movie because the first movie seemed to have such incredible balance between story and action. I do believe they are coming to a definate head, but they're not going to spoon feed it to anyone.

My take.




"A RONSTER!"

[Andrew Pratt]

I've been thinking more and more about this movies and one thing I noticed that I haven't seen talked about yet is when Neo meets the oracle she gives him a red candy...think there's any correlation to the red and blue pills morpheus gave neo in the first movie?

[Gordon Moore]

I don't think there was anything to the red candy other than a throw back to the red pill. It was dilberate, but I don't think it has any significance.... sort of like when the Oracle told him to have a cookie in the first movie.




"A RONSTER!"

[Chris D]

Wow, just got back from seeing the movie again, but in the IMAX theater. Something I'd recommend for everyone. I picked up on SO much more of the movie. Still, I'm going to have to see it 2-3 more times just to comprehend everything that is presented, especially the architect's speech, much less explore all the implications. Some more thoughts:

I'm glad that I played the computer game "Enter the Matrix" after seeing Reloaded, but before going to see it a second time. The game really does fill in some plot lines and background story from the movie, but to understand the nuances of the game you'd probably have to have seen the movie at least once. The extra stuff added by the game isn't earth shattering like it really changes the plot, but it adds some interesting things like the story of Nairobi and Ghost blowing up the nuclear electrical power plant. Some other cool stuff, too, like background information of Ghost being Trinity's bother, Nairobi and Morpheus and Lock, etc. I also picked up on a lot of the numbers visually seen in the movie (i.e. room numbers, license plates, road signs) as being codes for the end part of the computer game where you can "hack" into the game for extra features. Something I'll have to try more when I own the movie and can write them all down.

I liked the movie more the second time around, and didn't mind the pacing and "feel" of the movie nearly as much. I paid a lot more attention to the philisophical issues this time and was about to glean more.

In my previous comments, I didn't like parts of Zion and the sex scenes the first time around, seeming to be somewhat gratuitous and hedonistic. Erik had similar comments about the cake scene with the Merovingian. But this time around, I picked up a lot more on the theme of human desires. I think David's right in that the Zion and sex scenes are shown as part of the human condition, indeed, that throughout Neo is slowly described as different from the other five "ones", perhaps due mostly to his very human characteristics of love and desire, mostly for Trinity. (side issue here, but I think it's possible that Trinity will become pregnant in the third movie, completing the "trinity" between her, Neo, and the baby, who could be the NEXT one, if necessary, or something like that)

The machines' and programs' desires seem to be shown as being inappropriate, particularly the Merovingian's desire for other women, Persephone's desire to be kissed by Neo, a brief but superficial satisfaction in her heart to truly know what love is, and Agent Smith's wanting "like all other men of power, to have more power", like the Oracle says. The programs that seem to be good, such as the Oracle, Seraph, and the keymaker, seem to be void of desire or ambition, instead just supporting the humans.

After reading several comments from people about CGI falling short in the movie, especially the burly brawl scene (give them some credit, though, that's a tough scene to create) I did notice it here and there on the *huge* IMAX screen. A few times I'm pretty sure there were Agent Smiths in the background that didn't even have their faces copied over and still had the original stunt double's face.

As usual after seeing a Matrix movie, my wife and I launched into a HUGE philosophical discussion on the way home. It's amazing how these movies really get the mind churning.

The architect seems to say that the Oracle (he only says "she", as a program) created the final solution of the Matrix that works. Whoa... did the Oracle change and is now helping the humans? Or is she only leading them through the rituals gone over all 6 times in which it's necessary to destroy Zion and then have the One rebuild it?

Or is Agent Smith supposed to be the one that is the NEXT "One" for the next matrix, that has been exiled from the programmed world, the true anomaly?

Definitely a possibility for the Wach. brothers to turn this into a "Matrix within a Matrix" sort of thing, with two examples. First, being that Neo was able to stop the sentinels in the real world after abandoning the Nebuchadnezzar. The second one being that Agent Smith was able to travel out of the Matrix to the real world through the hard line telephone after replicating himself into Bain's mind. (the Judas that assassinates his crew and is laying on the table with Neo in the end shot) Or perhaps that first example was the Wach. bros way of demonstrating that Neo is different from the other five "ones", which was referred to repeatedly throughout the movie. I picked up on this when seeing the movie again and knowing about the 6 incarnations of Zion. Stuff like Smith saying "it's happening exactly the same way as last time... well, not exactly", and the Merovingian's various statements like "your predecessors were much more respectful" and "you're better than the last ones".

What's up with vampires being part of the Merovingian's henchmen, though? I don't get that one at ALL. It's almost like, "hey, let's throw in some aliens, mutants, or superheros while we're at it." Random? It's extremely subtle in the movie, with only tiny references like the movie that the henchmen are watching in the break room when Persephone enters her home, and immediately thereafter as she shoots one of them, asking, "how many people carry silver bullets in their gun?" (I thought this was for werewolves, though?) She makes a brief statement about the henchmen being early models in the Matrix that aren't very useful but are very loyal. Vampires are much more evident in the computer game, as you have to battle vampires all throughout the Merovingian's chateau.

Whew. Another long-winded post about these movies. They do get me going.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Brandon B]

I think the ones she shoots are supposed to be werewolves, hence the silver bullet remark. The oracle mentioned both, I thought. Only the pigmentally challenged milli vanilli pair are vampires.

BB

[Gordon Moore]

I'm glad that I played the computer game "Enter the Matrix" after seeing Reloaded, but before going to see it a second time. The game really does fill in some plot lines and background story from the movie, but to understand the nuances of the game you'd probably have to have seen the movie at least once.

In the end, that's where I have a problem. If Animatrix and video games help flesh out what they were trying to do in the movie then maybe I missed the boat. I think video games and novels etc should work off the groundwork that is laid, not help complete the story that the movie is working with.

I think that's where the matrix trilogy is starting to fall short. Star Wars (the first three anyway) are complete episodes (well....we thought they were complete ) The comics, video games, novelizations etc... run from inner points outward. The Matrix works in the opposite direction, where, to understand it all, you need to grab-at/hunt-for all these externals to arrive at the central theme and solve the riddle.

That's cool and all, but not for me.. The movie should stand on it's own, even a trilogy (LOTR TT squeaks by….barely). If I have to hunt for these other clues from all sorts of other sources then the movie failed IMO. The clues should be within the movie itself.

Yeah this is more a gripe than anything else but maybe that's why Reloaded fell a little short. I'm sure with repeated viewing my opinion will change but it wasn't good enough for me to part with $8.50 a second time. So I'll patiently wait until October.




"A RONSTER!"

[Chris D]

Brandon, you're right, the Oracle did make a statement along the lines of "every time you hear of something strange, a werewolf, vampire, alien... that's a program not doing what it was designed to do". It still seems a little random to me. Perhaps we should meld the Matrix and Blade movies!

Gordon- I agree that if the movie can't stand without the game plot, it should not have been designed like that. I personally didn't find anything in the game to be earth shattering where it made something in the movie clear or was vital to the plot. Instead, it was interesting back story. To continue the analogy to Star Wars, I would say it would be compared to if a Star Wars game/book were to describe how Chewbacca and Han Solo came to be partners, or shed some light onto Luke's Jedi mastering before appearing as a "bad a$$" at the beginning of Return of the Jedi. Not vital stuff, but interesting for those who like the story.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"