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Writer's pictureThe Owl's Eyes

The Matrix Reloaded: Not Choosing is a Choice

Updated: Feb 13, 2023


Reviews by:

  • @the_owlseyes

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Do you feel like you have a choice? Do you feel like every action has a consequence or like everything is prearranged and you're just a cog in a big machine? I doubt that knowing the nature of your choices would change your approach to reality, because it won't change anything. So, why do we have to think about that? Maybe because the ability to choose makes us different from any other species, but this what would think a person with a limited amount of knowledge. Does it matter? It could but it doesn't change the fact that everything starts with you and our life isn't in the end of another being of machine. It's possible that we live in a simulation of a simulation but what you're going to do? Are you going to roll in the mud lamenting your situation or you'll try to use this knowledge to be a better person. Maybe we're inconsequential but this is why you should understand that this is the best thing which could happen to us. It means that everything doesn't matter and that we decide what matters.


What matters for you?


PLOT

"Freedom fighters Neo, Trinity and Morpheus continue to lead the revolt against the Machine Army, unleashing their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation" or "


SCRIPT

Here we have an interesting concept but the execution is a bit bad because it's unfocused. A lot of scenes aren't necessary and could've been cut off, especially sex and orgy scenes, which are a bit cringy and unuseful. There are a lot of characters and it doesn't help to focus on the main ones, which aren't analyzed as well as in the first movie. The villains are a bit generic and it seems like a copy and paste of the previous movie. I like the themes which are choice, fate and love. The point is that the movie becomes self-indulgent in the climax and amps up the exposition, which destroys the flow. This is a typical case of plot over character and here is badly done. It's hard to consider it a good script only because the idea is groundbreaking. I'm disappointed.


Script: 5/10


ACTING

As the first movie, this one has mixed performances. Keanu Reeves delivers a better performance, as well as Lawrence Fishburn. I like the fact that Reeves does his own stunts. I don't like the acting of Carrie-Ann Moss and Jada Pinkett-Smith because it's a bit off. I can say the same about Monica Bellucci, who is there just to add a femme fatale to the mixer. I like Lambert Wilson for his quirky an weird performance, even though he's there for a few minutes. Overall the acting is mediocre and it isn't special. Thanks to Hugo Weaving, the movie is able to stay afloat and doesn't come out as a B-movie.


Acting: 6/10


PHOTOGRAPHY

It works but it doesn't have the nuances of the first movie. Light is used in a competent way and there's the same chromatic simbolysm as the first one. Colours are used to differentiate the Matrix, Zion and the real world, which are defined by shades of green, blue and green. There're some genuinely stunning scenes but I don't find all of them particularly remarkable.


Photography: 8/10


EDITING

I don't like the use of slow motion because it's overused and after a while it becomes comedic. Nonetheless there're a lot of good shots and it's highly noticeable. I think that the editing is original because it has a lot of dynamism and it's inventive. The Wachowskis are able to make simple scenes seem cool and action scenes awesome. It mantains the editing quality present in the first one, even though the slow motions becomes a weakness of this movie.


Editing: 7/10


SPECIAL EFFECTS

Well, it isn't the best. Even though it's a 2003 flick, it didn't age well. The point is that the movie is overconfident with its cgi and it hurts. Sure, the VFX is a bit clumsy, but an action scene is still in my mind: the freeway chase scene. Considering that to pull it off, the production has built an entire road only to shoot the movie, it impressive. This is incredible. I think that this scene is what makes this movie special, even though the cgi is flawed.


Special Effects: 7/10


SOUNDTRACK

It's great but I don't think that is better than the first one. The music style synchronizes perfectly with the movie and it's beautiful because it's a blend of techno and classical music. Some scene are elevated by the soundtrack and I think that most of this movie quality is determined by this section. Sure the music doesn't have a role in the plot but it helps at conveying the right amount of tension and adrenaline. It could be considered the soul of this movie.


Soundtrack: 8/10


COSTUMES

What made the first one iconic, here seems to be repetitive. Sure, we're introduced to the Zion's style but there's nothing interesting in it. Leather coats becomes a staple of the Matrix Universe and, unfortunately, it becomes unoriginal. Although the costumes are still able to define part of the movie's style.


Costumes: 6/10


CONCLUSION

Script: 5/10

Acting: 6/10

Photography: 8/10

Editing: 7/10

Special Effects: 7/10

Soundtrack: 8/10

Costumes: 6/10

AVERAGE: 6,71


A great concept with a great production but it isn't on the same level as the first one, because it has a poor script. It expands the Matrix Universe but it doesn't let his character grow because there'is a multitude of them. I think that you should see it only because it's a competent movie with flaws and explores interesting ideas. Don't skip it.


Director: The Wachowskis

Screenplay: The Wachowskis

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gloria Foster

Soundtrack: Don Davis

Cinematography: Bill Pope

Running Time: 138 minutes

Budget: $135 million


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