In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Sunday 29 September 2013

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The lofty concepts got loftier and consequently the relatable human story got somewhat buried, which is ironic because it’s the fate of humanity that’s at stake. Upping the philosophical concepts necessitated some hefty exposition from some new players that upsets the narrative flow.
Beneath the clumsy pacing and obligatory fights is the tale of Neo, the reluctant messianic figure. The secondary characters’ two-dimensionality can then be explained away as them representing challenges and fake ideals that Neo must overcome. It’s not the best way of looking at things, but it’s credible.
Reloaded forms a necessary bridge between Part I and Part III and, while it does eventually justify its incompleteness as far as story goes, it’s problematic as a standalone film because it’s essentially one half of an extended coda with an ambition that overwhelms its execution.

3 purposeful punches out of 5

3 comments:

cuckoo said...

I was initially very disappointed with this one...but it grew on me after a couple of viewings. Not as great as the first and not as horrible as the third.

It's obvious by now that this is Hugo's show.

3 twins out of 5

Dr Faustus said...

I felt the same. I went to see it on the big screen and left underwhelmed by most of it. Neg helped me see certain things in a new light, and I can appreciate more now what they tried to do.

I think it would've made a better novel than it does a film, though.
The heavy concepts could've fit more easily into the framework and not been forced to exist alongside the action scenes.
The Merovingian might not have seemed such a prick without that stupid accent.
And the Architect scene, the best part of the film, could've been expanded to give insight into Neo’s thoughts, making it feel less like a lecture.

Neg said...

Getting into my wheelhouse, whooo~ If you want actual discussion feel free to engage in hot and sweaty PM'age.

Talk/action/talk/action/talk/action/talk/action/Neg Special

5 Albino Rastafarians out of 5