The Matrix Re-Loaded

[poliphilo]

The Matrix is a film that didn't need sequels. Neo's arc is complete when he explodes Agent Smith from within and goes soaring up into the sky. He is now invincible and the salvation of Zion is a done deal.

The Matrix Reloaded has very little story to it. Nothing of consequence happens except that Neo's super powers become even more super. Our heroes are sent off on a quest that turns out to be a wild goose chase and end up almost exactly where they were at the end of the first movie. The action sequences are breathtaking and more elaborate than before. The Merovingian is a fun new character- and has a delicious speech about how much he likes insulting people in French. The passages of exposition are hard to comprehend at a single viewing.

My memory of The Matrix Revolutions is that it's pretty dreadful but I plan to watch it anyway. If I don't post a review it will because I've seen no reason to change my mind.

Comments

[sovay]

The Merovingian is a fun new character- and has a delicious speech about how much he likes insulting people in French.

I remember liking the handling of the underworld allusions surrounding Persephone, the wife of the owner of Club Hel, whose life has become such a half-life or even an unlife that she can feel nothing unless she takes it from her living visitors; that was effective and otherworldly. It's one of the few pieces of that movie I remember vividly. You could believe her some kind of digital goddess of the dead. The rest was just special effects.

[poliphilo]

Her begging a kiss off Neo was a moment of real tension- and had a mythic quality. Somewhere, buried in all the hyper activity, were a few neat little ideas that someone like Cocteau might have developed and had fun with...