Matrix Too Little
by Michael Flanagan

Solid

I was never one of the biggest fans of the original Matrix, and this sequel meets that level of expectation.  I never saw the first film in the theatre, and when I did finally see it, months after its famous DVD release, I fell asleep out of sheer boredom.  It was not until, due to various movie-gatherings and urgings from friends to try it again (and again) that I began to enjoy its various philosophies and repetitive-though-exciting action sequences.  And now, when I think of The Matrix, I think of that scene with the helicopter.  When I look back on The Matrix Reloaded, I think of the car chase.  Aside from that, there's not a whole lot to recommend.

The problem I have with this sequel is that, once I was able to get over any and all flaws I had with the original films, I expected the sequel to continue where the original left off; instead, it took a major step backward.  The first film spends its two hours asking to to accept this philosophy, this world, which includes accepting Neo as "The One," a supreme being at one with the technology that gives him god-like powers, the ability to transcend any challenge that comes his way by circumventing the reality set up by the Matrix, and create his own way of existing, as leader both by example and force.  Reloaded opens with Neo as he is during most of the latter part of the first film.  He is unsure of what he is supposed to do, or how to do it.  Gone are the transcendental abilities we thought must have been a part of him, and some that we knew were, such as his ability to destroy programs with the force of his will.  What's left?  He can fly.  He can stop bullets.  He can see code.  He can sense a presence approaching.  It may seem like a lot, but go back to the first movie's ending, listen to that last phone call he makes at the end after rising from the dead, and tell me his Reloaded persona isn't a let-down.  Not only that, but Keanu never mutters one single "Whoa."

Aside from that, which is enough of a major problem in storytelling to warrant a high Solid, the first 45 minutes of the movie is dull.  Not counting the 2 action sequences that bookend that time, the opening to this movie is full of poorly done speeches (Fishburne's Morpheus Cave Rant), unnecessary and dull philosophy (the elder's admission of having no point proves mine), and senseless family scenes and characters (Link's family--who cares.  The kid--who is he?).  Zion, the mystery city only discussed in the first movie, is as big a disappointment to me as the truth about Santa when I was 8.  Okay, maybe that's overstatement.

The Wachowski Brothers' magnificent accomplishments with the Matrix turned out to be what was unseen.  The aftermath of Neo's phone call.  The only living city of Zion.  The truth about the Oracle.  The number of Neos.  In attempting to answer these questions, they have only disappointed.  Some things are better left to the imagination, as has been directed at George Lucas over his Star Wars prequels ever since the premiere of 1999's box office blockbuster The Phantom Menace.  I disagree with the notion that he has failed, but there are many who don't.  Perhaps the best solution is to leave these worlds of intrigue and magic to our imaginations.  To just one movie.  Or to Peter Jackson.

But it's got a helluva good car chase.

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