The Matrix Reloaded

DVD, The Matrix Reloaded (film, 2003)

It's got big problems, mainly from spewing out all kinds of philosophy and ideas, introducing a huge cast of characters none too effectively, and for making us wait for the action with longish talky scenes in between. If the first film was an almost perfect balance, and the third is geared towards the character and narrative side, this film definitely fills in for the superb action side of things, with escalating fight scenes and excellent car chases. It likes to think it's clever but really we just want to see the action!

There are moments that could have been better (in some of the fights you don't get the sensation the blows are heavy, more like a light tapping) and that one with all the Smith's is ridiculously funny and entertaining, rather than gripping. But it's a good film and it was an almost impossible job to follow the first classic, so it's faults are often a point of trying too hard to live up to that.

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