The one & only Matrix: Reloaded thread

[Guest Nanks]

That's just because you're an X-Men fanboy. But "I want my money back" don't be absurd.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

My take on this one, with obvious peripheral spoilers:

 

A very different film from the first. The action sequences, while still kinda cool, weren't as exciting and immediately awe-inspiring. Didn't really expect them to be, but oh well. Unfortunate blowing of the awesome-load very early in the film, as the Smiths/Neo fight was definitely my favorite action sequence, but oh well. No biggie.

 

What I did love, however, was an intense focus on story and character. Those first forty minutes just exploring Zion and the people in it were fantastic. Same goes for the general scheme of the Architect and what-not, as well as learning more about the machines, programs, and everything in the Matrix. The new characters, the Merovingian in particular, were delightful additions, and the fellow that Smith took over and sent back into Zion is obviously going to be a huge part of the third movie. Altogether, I really, really liked this, because it felt like the Wachowskis gave some serious thought to fleshing out their universe and really building up the momentum of the story. If you stuck around through the credits to see the brief trailer for Revolutions, you're probably as interested as I am to see how it all comes together.

 

Very good stuff--now, let's hope that, come November, the mind-blowing action and great sci-fi world come together for a great conclusion. I'm excited.

[Guest PORNFAQ]

The third installment is pretty much gonna make or break it for me.

 

If they come up with good answers for all the questions they've raised, it's classic. If they pussy out or or do something stupid (it can happen) it'll be the biggest letdown since Victoria Principle woke up and found Patrick Duffy in the shower on Dallas.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

They should stop the kung-fu in the 3rd one... the Neo/Smith fight in the rain should have very few kicks and punches and a whole lot of matrix manipulating.

[The Dames 0]

it'll be the biggest letdown since Victoria Principle woke up and found Patrick Duffy in the shower on Dallas.

Oh....

 

NOW I get the joke from Family Guy!

 

Dames

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

Whoa when did we stop using spoiler tags in this thread?? Some people are giving things away.

[Guest razazteca]

Neo vs Smith in the 3rd one should involve kung fu but not Wire-fu.

[Guest Flyboy]

That's just because you're an X-Men fanboy.

And you're owning this thread like a Matrix fanboy.

 

I didn't even like the first X-Men movie.. and "the Matrix was art" is fucking hilarious. I understood the movie completely, and I still didn't like. Just because I have a different opinion than the rest of the majority, does not mean you have to get on the rag.

[Guest SP-1]

Nothing against you, Flyboy, but I don't think it's possible that you understood the movie completely. It's baffling fucking everyone that's not a philosophy/world religions double major, and it was intended to. There aren't answers to some of the questions available until 3, so understanding it completely just isn't possible, in my opinion.

 

And I'd rather the Waichowski's lose 75% of their audience by NOT spoon-feeding the story than retain it by dumbing it down to an absurdly simple level. I'd rather have to think about it and find satisfaction in piecing it together and anticipating the true answers than be treated like an average dumbass.

[Guest cabbageboy]

I've never been that into the Matrix, even after watching it again and understanding it better. I just think the premise is bizarre: plugging into some virtual reality land and fighting the Men in Black. You know what I mean? You see Neo fighting and then a quick cut and he's really just laying in a chair. It's like it kills the suspension of disbelief in a way, and I've just never quite warmed up to it.

[Guest SP-1]

I would think that it hurts it for you because you're used to ABC storytelling. The story isn't about plugging into virtual reality and fighting MIB's. It's about a Savior realizing who he is. And Reloaded is about Him coming into his own, amidst the chaos he is here to fight against.

 

And I don't use "Savior" there in a Christ-like way, though there are certain parallels there. It's his role in the story.

[Guest Flyboy]

I would think that it hurts it for you because you're used to ABC storytelling. The story isn't about plugging into virtual reality and fighting MIB's.

In a way, it is.

 

Zion is the only 'safe city' in a wasteland. Neo and the crew get plugged in and enter "our world" to try to protect their city since they cannot save the other cities. Mr. Smith and agents get in their way because they want Zion to be destroyed and become a wasteland as well. If you watch all the Matrix movies they have (can't remember the site), but it really goes into detail of how the whole thing started.

[Guest SP-1]

Yeah I've been keeping up with the Animatrix. My point still stands. That's the setting, that's the action, but the motives, where the heart of the story is, are yet to be truly laid out. The Waichowskis aren't making it child-like, they're making people think and holding back everything. That's the art of storytelling. Simplicity is overrated. Layers are much better.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I understand that people don't like the Matrix. What I don't understand is how people can love the first one and hate Reloaded. It is basically the same thing, only bigger.

 

Either they are letting nostalgia get in the way of the first one, or they are super-geeks who hate that everything they have been studying for four years is flushed down the toilet in a 5 minute conversation between Neo and the Architect.

 

If you didn't like the Matrix (Or didn't see it, in which case you shouldn't be seeing this one first anyways), then you won't like Reloaded either. But otherwise it is a huge improvement over Matrix 1.

 

I'm sure if Empire Strikes Back came out today, all the fanboys from Star Wars would rip it apart too.

[Guest Flyboy]

I understand that people don't like the Matrix. What I don't understand is how people can love the first one and hate Reloaded. It is basically the same thing, only bigger.

That's the thing.

 

I didn't love the first one. I didn't blow my load all over it like the majority did.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I understand that people don't like the Matrix.  What I don't understand is how people can love the first one and hate Reloaded.  It is basically the same thing, only bigger. 

That's the thing.

 

I didn't love the first one. I didn't blow my load all over it like the majority did.

Then that's fine. People should stop bugging you.

[Guest Nanks]

That's fine Flyboy, if you didn't like the first one and therefore didn't enjoy the sequel then that's fine. But saying, "I want my money back", is another matter all together.

[Guest DrTom]

It's baffling fucking everyone that's not a philosophy/world religions double major, and it was intended to.

It is?

 

I know the cast was required to read some philosophy, but really, the philosophy in the movies is pretty thin. It's basically pop psychology with a dystopian twist and a general theme of empowerment vis-a-vis the "one man can make a difference" motif. If you read the people who inspired the original themes and ideas, the philosophy can get pretty deep, but as presented in the movies, I find it pretty shallow. Engaging, yes, and thought-provoking at times, but ultimately shallow. It's the kind of philosophy black-tweeded college students will discuss at Starbucks to sound worldly.

[Guest PORNFAQ]

Tom pretty much beat me to it but sounded a lot better and more tactful than I would've put it.

[Guest PORNFAQ]

Whoa when did we stop using spoiler tags in this thread?? Some people are giving things away.

Spoiler (Highlight to Read):

In the CBS series "Dallas" Patrick Duffy's character, Bobby Ewing, died. Lots of things happened afterwards (mostly bad storytelling) that turned their core audience off to the show. To rectify this, the writers came up with the ingeneous idea of having all the "bad" seasons after Bobby's death just be a "bad dream" for his wife. So in the season finale, a cliffhanger, Victoria Principle wakes up when she hears someone showering in her bathroom. She pulls back the curtain and there stands Patrick Duffy in all his naked glory. He just says "Good morning" or something to that effect (like "wash my back, bitch!") and acts as if nothing's wrong.   Finally, Dallas fans had something to talk about during the off-season and thousands of theories were formulated as to how Bobby could come back from the grave. Was it an evil doppleganger? A long-lost twin brother? Did he have amnesia? Well, ultimately everyone was let down when the ensuing season began and it was explained that everything they believed to be true and canon for the past year or so was basically a "nightmare." Fucking Brilliant, eh? And it's gonna sound vaguely familiar if "Revolutions" disappoints.   Having this *SPOILER* tagged is extreme sarcasm just to fuck with LaParkaYourCar, btw. Heh.

 

NOW I get the joke from Family Guy!

You're so wacky (and young), Dames.

[The Dames 0]

Well, for someone who never saw Dallas and only knew of the "Who shot J.R." storyline due to it's popularity, I didn't understand it at all.

 

Basically, there's an episode of Family Guy called Da Boom where the Y2K problem actually causes a nuclear meltdown and lots of shit happens. At the end of the episode, (I assume that's her) Victoria Principle wakes up, goes to the shower and there's Patrick Duffy and he says "Good Morning". She tells him that she was having a terrible dream about Family Guy. He says...."What's Family Guy?" and they stare into the screen for the credits.

 

Dames

[Guest PORNFAQ]

Yeah, I've seen the episode. Just didn't realize how many people don't get some of the older pop culture references in the show. Not hatin' on ya, Dames. Just foolin' wit LaParka.

[Guest Mik at Cornell]

Just got back from my second screening. Things make more sense now. Pretty much no need for spoiler tags as I'm not gonna go into detail, all I can say is that I noticed a lot more details the second time through and I recommend it for everyone else as well.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Since we've been bubbling about the philosophy of the Matrix, here's an interesting assessment of the movie's approach to thought, control, and what-not.

 

Salon also has a couple good articles on the end of Buffy and this season of 24. Also highly recommended.

[Guest SP-1]

Dammit, Tom, you know what I meant. ::shakes fist:: It's not spoon-fed connect the dots storytelling.