While a bit harder to follow than the original, The Matrix: Reloaded more than makes up for its flaws with jaw-dropping action and special effects.

Loaded with effects
The Matrix: Reloaded

Stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne. Rated M.
Reviewer: The Big Irish Git
I’m a little bit confused about some of the minor plot details in The Matrix: Reloaded.

For example, our heroes go to a lot of trouble to blow up a major power station and a backup system simultaneously in order to beat the security systems protecting the Matrix’s central computer of its power.

But wait a minute, doesn’t all the power come from the human battery farm – and if there are power stations and backups why do they need the human batteries in the first place?

Of course, if the power station blown up is inside the make-believe world of the Matrix, then that’s a different kettle of fish.

But then how can the central computer that generates that fantasy world be inside its own fantasy?
I might be missing something, of course.

Apart from that, though, the rest is pretty grouse. I like the big-picture plot twists introduced this time around.
Neo goes back to meet the Oracle again and, true to form, her revelations prove to be just as profound and equally upsetting as last time.

Then there’s the architect – the guy (or is he computer-generated as well?) who designed the whole program in the first place, flaws and all. Pay attention at this point or you’ll miss a truly sublime twist of fate.

I have seen and heard criticism of The Matrix: Reloaded about how it’s not as good as the first and all the usual sequel-knocking stuff. But, for my money, the jaw-dropping special effects, fight scenes, car/truck/motorbike chases and new characters almost make this a whole new and completely worthwhile movie experience in its own right. The two ghost-like characters are particularly well done.

I heard someone the other day voice an opinion that the car chase scene was too long. Surely that’s a bit like saying too much footy/cricket on the goggle box. How can you have too much of a good thing – especially when it’s this good?
And the best thing is, we only have to wait a mere five months for the next instalment.