MATRIX RELOADED review
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 5:53 pm
If you've not seen Matrix Reloaded rent it now because this launches straight in making no concessions to those who haven't seen it and even if you have it takes a little while to remember what happened at the end last time round.
So what's good about it? Very little frankly. There's a giant battle to protect Zion from the sentinels which impressive as it is I've seen better notably, the Helms Deep battle in The Two Towers. And the climatic battle between Neo and Agent Smith is something and nothing althought the rain looks good - and that's not saying much really. The production design is as impressive as ever and at least there is no long philosophical guff as in Reloaded but instead launches straight into the story without taking as long to get started as reloaded. And if S&M is your thing then check out the Hell club scene - outfits that I 've never seen before - not surprising since one of the Wachowski brothers (the thin one) is allegedly into that type of thing.
Surprisingly there is no 'bullet time' either probably because it's so commonplace now and also because this story takes place in the real world rather than in the Matrix.
However owing to the law of diminishing returns I found this the most disappointing of the three. There was little imagery here as memorable as reloaded or sequences as stunning as the original. And I found none of the set pieces exciting - even reloaded had the freeway car chase!
Despite assurances from the Producer (Joel Silver) the ending is even left open for a possible 4th part. Mr Silver , a request, no thank you.
I know I'm down on a lot of these blockbusters but perhaps the one saving grace this year will be the final part of Lord of the rings. I certainly hope so!
See it if you must but to be honest if this had been made first I doubt if there would be any other Matrix films made.
MINOR SPOILER ALERT And even the character that dies I found I just didn't care. Not in the slightest bit moving.
So what's good about it? Very little frankly. There's a giant battle to protect Zion from the sentinels which impressive as it is I've seen better notably, the Helms Deep battle in The Two Towers. And the climatic battle between Neo and Agent Smith is something and nothing althought the rain looks good - and that's not saying much really. The production design is as impressive as ever and at least there is no long philosophical guff as in Reloaded but instead launches straight into the story without taking as long to get started as reloaded. And if S&M is your thing then check out the Hell club scene - outfits that I 've never seen before - not surprising since one of the Wachowski brothers (the thin one) is allegedly into that type of thing.
Surprisingly there is no 'bullet time' either probably because it's so commonplace now and also because this story takes place in the real world rather than in the Matrix.
However owing to the law of diminishing returns I found this the most disappointing of the three. There was little imagery here as memorable as reloaded or sequences as stunning as the original. And I found none of the set pieces exciting - even reloaded had the freeway car chase!
Despite assurances from the Producer (Joel Silver) the ending is even left open for a possible 4th part. Mr Silver , a request, no thank you.
I know I'm down on a lot of these blockbusters but perhaps the one saving grace this year will be the final part of Lord of the rings. I certainly hope so!
See it if you must but to be honest if this had been made first I doubt if there would be any other Matrix films made.
MINOR SPOILER ALERT And even the character that dies I found I just didn't care. Not in the slightest bit moving.