The film is set about 6 months after the events in The Matrix. The Machines are becoming more of a menace to the rebels and it soon becomes clear that they are planning a direct assault on Zion, the last human city. Morpheus is convinced that this attack heralds the fulfilment of the prophecy when the One will destroy the Matrix and free those still enslaved. Neo remains unconvinced and finds himself plagued by nightmares foretelling Trinity’s death. As the invasion draws near will he follow the Oracle’s guidance and fulfil the prophecy?

Aside from the aforementioned attractions Reloaded has a few other things going for it. Link provides some welcome comic relief, Morpheus proves to be madder than a bag of weasels and Reeves ups his acting performance to at least that of Kevin Bacon. And on second (and third) viewing the film has grown on me.

However, I still have issues. Neo Vs. the Smiths (I’d pay to see that one, especially if Morrissey got kicked in the head) is a great concept and Hugo Weaving is beautifully sinister but the fight itself, though meticulously choreographed, is let down by some of it’s effects. At times the much touted ‘virtual cinematography’ leaves the actors looking more like the Anime characters that inspired the films than real people. I also have a whole bundle of issues with the gathering in Zion. While I understand it was important to confirm Morpheus as a prophetic figure did they have to have a rave afterwards? On the plus side the wordy scenes with the Merovingian and the Architect are clarified on second viewing and. While I now see how the confrontation between Neo and the Architect is masterful, I still think the Merovingian babbles a lot.

DVD Extras
I remember (excuse my reminiscence) when The Matrix came out on DVD. Review magazines used it to test new DVD players and it became a benchmark which other DVDs aspired to. Reloaded hasn’t aspired enough. While featuring some 3 hours of extras about 2 ½ are wasted. The dissection of the freeway chase is interesting, everything else is perfunctory with all the interviews clearly showing the cuts where some Revolutions info might have leaked. Call me a cynic but I can’t help feeling that when the time comes to release Revolutions the two films will be joined and then we’ll have a proper DVD.

Considered something of a cinematic failure by people who can only think in 6 figure sums Matrix Reloaded is a much better film for this release, it’s just a pity this release wasn’t a bit better.

cormac donnelly