Book + Movie List

The Matrix Reloaded
Julie Gephart Some theater 17 May 2003

I love a good action film, and this is undoubtedly a good action film. The philosophizing was a little longer and more obtuse than the first movie, and the action was longer and faster and more extreme. All in all, it was a movie that barely gave time to breathe, let alone reflect on what was happening. I'd say it didn't quite have the magic of the first one, but it was still a mighty fine movie in its own right.

The Matrix Reloaded
A Bennett AMC Newport-on-the-Levee They serve Coke. 18 May 2003

Dear Official Print and Media Critics of Reloaded: SHUT *UP*. Your reviews are so tired, and so overly critical, as if The Matrix franchise had set out to cure cancer and had somehow let you down. So there’s some soliloquizing, so there’s a pastiche of some philosophy that you may or may not understand or care about. So there’s nothing new under the sun. So you think Keanu Reeves is an impassive actor whose talent (or lack thereof) you’ve never felt certain of. So what? Neo whines 600% less than Luke Skywalker. And he’s prettier. And, he has a girlfriend that’s not his sister…This film gave me a giddy feeling, like someone had shaken up a bottle of champagne and was waiting to uncork its fizzy goodness. And this feeling lasted hours (perhaps even days) after the credits rolled. I had forgotten how much Trinity ROCKS THE FREE WORLD. Just when I had decided they were relegating her to second place in this film, she TEARS THAT BUILDING DOWN. I loved grumpy Neo with his greatest fan, I was afraid for Morpheus on the freeway, happy to see the Oracle again, enjoyed the new characters and glitches that were introduced. People laughed together in the theatre, and when Morpheus gave a speech to the people of Zion, I wanted to stand up and cheer along with them. And I cannot wait for more Jada Pinkett Smith in the next film. If that makes me shallow, if that makes me the fan of a film that’s flawed, if that makes me a poor critical thinker: please, never tell me so to my face—I’ll probably just smile blithely back at you and recite something dialectic about the problem of free will, the root of causality, and the fact that Trinity? She kicks *high*.

The Matrix Reloaded
Mike Gadd Martinsburg Regal Cinema 27 May 2003

Okay. Fine. There didn't need to be so many 'ergo's' and 'concordantly's'. I'll need to see it again to get a better grasp of what they were trying to say. But so what. It kicked butt. The things that went well were better than anything that's been done before. It's funny how it takes an hour or two to get the buzz out of your head when the movie is over and to realize that driving home on the freeway is probably perfectly safe. The guy in the car next to you isn't looking to turn you into swiss cheese and there won't be any kung fu fighting on top of that 18 wheeler. Special kudos to Agent Smith, the Twins, and the Keymaker. More! Bring back Dozer, too, while you're at it. And lose the Dell computer kid chasing after Neo. I'll miss the Oracle, as she died during filming. Jada Pinkett Smith filled in nicely too. I loved the 6th iteration concept; it throws in a nice wrinkle. Bring on November!

The Matrix Reloaded
Steve Gadd Reston Town Center 15 June 2003

After the "burly brawl" punch-fest, how can you take any of the later fight scenes seriously? Just a bunch of blurry forearms. And by now the philosophical pretense has been sidelined by the mind-blowing special effects. I am in favor of the cool explosions, I just get a little bored waiting for them. The Gigeresque sets of the underworld were cool.

The Matrix Reloaded
Jeff Gadd Movie cinema 15 June 2003

Okay, for the 2nd. But very hard to follow. To Many MR. SMITHS in the fight scene. The car chase's are cool though. Think to SEE # 3 too?