5/16/2003
Matrix Reloaded stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith, Gloria Foster as The Oracle, Randall Duk Kim as The Keymaker, Helmut Bakaitis as The Architect, Adrian Rayment as Twin #2, Neil Rayment as Twin #1, Roy Jones Jr. as Ballard, Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, Valerie Berry as Priestess, Steve Bastoni as Soren, Don Battee as Vector, Monica Bellucci as Persephone, Christine Anu as Kali, Ian Bliss as Bane, Kelly Butler as Ice, Sing Ngai as Seraph, Paul Cotter as Corrupt, Essie Davis as Maggie, Terrell Dixon as Wurm, Nona M. Gaye as Zee, Malcolm Kennard as Abel, Christopher Kirby as Mauser, Peter Lamb as Colt, Nathaniel Lees as Mifune, Harry J. Lennix as Commander Lock, Robert Mammone as AK, Robyn Nevin as Councillor Dillard, David No as Cain, and a cast of thousands.
The Matrix Reloaded is the second installment of the Matrix series. This one has three times the special effects and characters of the first. The story, if you can call it that, continues from the first film. We have more of the same but this time there is more depth, maybe not depth, but we get a longer explanation, to each of the characters/programs in the matrix. New program metaphors are introduced, Ghosts, Werewolves, and Vampires. For computer geeks this film plows fertile ground. For us the real programmers, it is just another sci-fi effort for the wanna-bes. There is a lot of "How can you trust me", " You knew what you were going to do anyway", and "It's all about control". After that it is a special effects, kung fu extravaganza! We have the traditional kung fu circle of bad guys going after the good guy. If Bruce Lee was a live he would be Neo.
As a boxing fan, I have to mention Roy Jones Jr. as Captain Ballard. He has speaking parts in this film and he should stick to boxing, because there he is a Star! Unfortunately I can box as well as he can act.
Oh, yes, you have to stay for the gruelling credits, it was filmed in two countries so it has double of everything, to see the next matrix preview. This film is for sci-fi/special effects geeks. If you are looking for a story with depth, The Matrix Reloaded is not for you.
I give it 3 out of 5 controls: 