The Matrix: Reloaded - Warner Bros.

I've only seen The Matrix: Reloaded once. I intended to see it a second time before writing my review, but circumstances conspired against me. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I caught the film Wednesday night, and upon exiting the theater stated that I thought it was very good, but inferior to the original by about a full point on a ten-point scale. By the time I got home and into bed that night, my mind was already rehashing the movie and thinking I might have under-estimated the film. Thursday I decided that Reloaded was actually probably the equal to the first film, though for different reasons and in a different way. Friday morning I had a few hours to kill while one of my vehicles was being repaired, so I spent the time on the phone with a couple of my brothers who had seen the movie Thursday night. After working up a hypothesis of things with one of them, I decided that Reloaded is in fact quite possibly a better film than the original.

Now I wish I could better remember my responses to the first film. I saw it in the theater, and I remember being awed by the special effects like everybody else. I'm not sure at exactly what point the philosophy of the film captivated me, but I suspect it wasn't the first day. Sure, it was interesting, but what intrigued me most of all was how it held up to scrutiny over time. I suspect the same it true for most people. Considered in 2003, the philosophical underpinnings of The Matrix are powerful, especially considered in relation to other films which tend to be based on a single point of a simple philosophy, and even that only accidentally. So considered in 2003, The Matrix is hard to beat. After all, what were ground-breaking special effects then are commonplace now. It's been four years! We've also had four years to think about the film, to consider the possibilities, to discuss things with our friends and family. We've barely had four days with the new film, and I think it will grow on people, given the chance.

What follows will contain spoilers. Major spoilers. I will tell you right now, do not read any further if you have not seen the film. I will ruin the film for you, giving away the twists and turns of the plot as well as laying down a possible explanation for everything in the film. I may be wrong, and I probably am, but I suspect that having read my view of events, it will be hard to watch the film without thinking of things in these terms.

Article Author: Phillip Winn

Phillip Winn was the Chief Geek for Blogcritics, and a blogger since 1995. He may currently be found and followed as @pwinn on Twitter.

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