In 1999 I said, "The Matrix" is an organic piece of movie magic that never sacrifices the story for the hardware." I can’t say the same for "The Matrix Reloaded." Whatever substance the movie may possess is drowning in a tidal wave of special effects. Yeah! The fight scene between Anderson and a sea of Agent Smiths is way-cool - like in a video game - not a movie. Complaints about ‘wasn’t he (Agent Smith) killed off in the first "Matrix"?’ are ill founded when you realize he’s a program and a program can be replicated. Do it once and you get the message. Do it twice and you’ve seen it before. Do it again and it can get awfully boring. By the time the movie got to the big car chase that is supposed to be the highlight of "Reloaded," I was numb.

In "The Matrix," Anderson, Trinity, Morpheus, and the other Rebels were flesh and blood creatures with a biblical mission to save the world. The Brothers Wachosky mixed Eastern Mysticism with Biblical References and delivered it with a pop cultural sensibility. They carry this sensibility forward with references to the lexicon of movie history. What is the Architect of The Matrix if not a futuristic Wizard of Oz daring Anderson to find his own way home - or create a home by stamping out the power source of the Matrix? - by finding the key to the virtual back door! - but first he has to find the Key maker - who reminded me of the creator of the replicants in "Blade Runner." But first he has to get past the French corporate style gang lord who, though human - I mean a program resembling a human - is not unlike Jabba the Hut from the Star Wars Saga with his minions to carry out his will. These are nice touches but they seem more like doorways to the next level of difficulty in a video game.

We’re supposed to feel for Anderson because he has these recurring nightmares about Trinity falling from a skyscraper to her death. He’s sure there’s something to his dream as are we. But it feels too much like a set for the eventual "E.T"-like resolution. It’s just one more plot point to be checked off while Neo flys, talks, walks, and fights his way through the Matrix looking for a way into the mainframe to shut it down and save the world. Back at Zion, home to the Rebel forces, the head council prepares for a confrontation with the machines. A Judas walks among them but his character is never fleshed out. We have to wait for the sequel to find out what he’s about. There is much breast beating about who’s going to save who and who will stay behind to guard the homestead. A battle takes place - but off screen. It’s all on par with the conventions of the post Apocalyptic B sci-fi stories that used to show up on USA Up All Night. The true dramatic few highpoints actually are devoid of action: the meeting between Neo and the Architect - the meeting between Neo and The Oracle - any scene with Trinity - and any time Laurence Fishburne delivers his lines as Morpheus - and anytime Hugo Weaving sneers as Agent Smith. m

The bottom line is, "The Matrix Reloaded" comes across like a retooled fairly tale for The Game Boy Generation. What this feature length Game Boy game needed was a soul for it’s new machinery. Watching it, I felt like my energy was being sapped like the soulless comatose miscreants used to power the Matrix.

Copyright 2003

"Dark City" (1998) - A neglected gem about stolen memories and mind manipulation. Someone, or something wants to find out what it’s like to be human. With Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, and Keifer Sutherland.

"Strange Days" (1995) - Ralph Fiennes pirates other people’s experiences on pre-recorded discs. It’s sex, love, and death on CD!

"Johnny Mnemonic" (1995) - OK! So it bombed! Keeanu Reeves’ did his best as a guy who stores and transports critical data in his mental vortex. Corporations will kill to that information.

"They Live" (1988) - Dumb, but lots of fun. With former wrestler Roddy Piper as the hero who uncovers a plot by aliens to take over the world. The eyes have it when it comes to subliminal messages. Written (under a pseudonym) and directed by John Carpenter.

"The Terminator" (1984) - James Cameron’ s classic about a robot from a future world ruled by machines, who goes back in time to kill the woman who will give birth to the one who will threaten his existence in his time. With Arnold Schwarzeneger as the robot.

"Videodrome" (1983) - James Woods gets hooked on an alternate reality beamed from a late night cable show that transforms him into something quite unique. From horror maven, writer/director David Cronenberg.

"Blade Runner" (1982) - This raised the bar for modern set design for all the bleak futuristic movies to follow. "The Matrix" is no exception. From director Ridley Scott with Harrison Ford as a good cop.

"Soylent Green" (1973) - Just what is that stuff that feeds the human race? With Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson.

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) - Invading Pods turn humans into drones, in this classic from director Don Siegel. Intended as a McCarthy Era parable with Kevin McCarthy. It works as top notch sci-fi too! "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) - More sci-fi than McCarthy. Ditto.

"Metropolis" (1926) - The German silent classic from Fritz Lang by which all films about futuristic societies are measured. A Messiah for the working class becomes the catalyst that frees the oppressed laborers. The movie was an eerie foreshadowing of the rise of the Nazism and the use of slave labor to support their industry. Recently remastered in its most complete version by Kino Video.