Returning to the Matrix Reloaded

So the other day, I decided to go back to one of my favorite movies of 2003 -- The Matrix Reloaded.

 

For some reason -- and I'm not sure why this is -- the movie got a bad rap when in the theaters. I think people were expecting another Matrix, just as they were expecting another Raiders, Star Wars, Last Picture Show or Back to the Future (well, that one's a bad example).

 

Anyway, I had a hankering to see this mostly because of the unbelievable action scenes -- and b/c I hadn't seen Reloaded in at least 18 months.

 

And you know what?

 

I love this movie.

 

Rather than hash out a long and overrun review, here's a clearing house of some general thoughts I had while watching Reloaded:

 

1.) I love the Architect scene, probably the best written scene (save the Construct explanation in Matrix I) in the trilogy.

 

2.) The scene in the Marovingian's hallway where Neo goes nuts on all of those thugs must be watched again and again; there's just so much going on. Makes you wonder, it must have taken at least a month to film. But it probably took two months to film . . .

 

3.) The car chase, arguably one of the best ever, save Ronin and the French Connection (which isn't that HOT by today's standards but very cool for its time). John would say Bullit has the best car chase ever. My #1 would be Ronin, oh, #2 would be Bourne Supremancy and #3 would be Reloaded.

 

4.) Zion. We get to see Zion. I never really thought the Brothers would show us Zion after Matrix I, but I applaud them for living up to the expectations -- especially the very original docking bay and control station. Nice not to have yet another Enterprise or Blade Runner rip-off. ALTHOUGH -- those who have seen The Blood of Heroes will see some lifting from the vertical housing.

 

5.) The Keymaker and the Twins. I've always thought that John and I could be a poor man's version of the Twins for Halloween (especially after a successful outing as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce a few years ago). Then every time I see Reloaded, I think I'd love to be the Keymaker for Halloween -- if nothing more than for the fact that nobody has, I'm sure, ever ever ever been the Keymaker. Points for originality.

 

6.) Seraph. A matrix-like vision of Buddah. The continual combined religous undertones reminded me of a book called "the Philosophy of the Matrix" or something like that I lent to a friend a couple of years ago. This friend reads this blog occasionaly, and knows who they are. The book is still in your totebag! Return that sucker! Santa is watching!

 

7.) Hugo Weaving. Did anyone in the past 7 years have a cooler combination of roles than Hugo Weaving? Matrix and LOTR trilogy. Appearances in all 6 movies. Well, Bruce Spence was in all three Big Trilogies -- Star Wars, Matrix and LOTR. Can you name his roles in each? That's right! Thursday is Geek Day!

 

8.) Morpheus. I'm not the biggest fan of Morpheus in 2. He was pretty cool in I, but I always felt like he was phoning in 2 and 3. Not sure why. Maybe he was distracted by the slumping overseas numbers of Boyz N The Hood or Higher Learning.

 

9.) The Real World is just another Matrix. Cool.

 

10.) The council, save Cornell West (no reason whatsoever to feel obligated to include a Harvard professor in your kick ass sci fi movie, but we'll ignore that part). Seeing Cornell West in a movie reminds you that you're seeing Cornell West in a movie and not watching Zion and not caring about whether or not the sentinels attack -- rather you're just still thinking about the fact that they really did put Cornell West in their movie. Whatever.

 

But check-out the Matrix Reloaded, nevertheless. You've seen Matrix I about five times, and, admit it, you watch it when it's on TBS on Sundays at 2. Put Reloaded on your Netflix and give it another shot.

 

It's a lot better than you remember.

 

 

Thanks for Reading,

SM.

 

Done