I thought that they were perhaps a bit too much in love with the “ooooo look it’s slo-mo!!!” technique; but otherwise it was good. Even introduced the Buddhist concept “everything in moderation” - the humans need the machines to maintain a certain level of survival, same with the machines. Which will end up as the dominant life form in this story isn’t breached, just the concept that each needs the other. I’ve got an entire theory about Zion as well (a rave with a taiko-drum soundtrack. Coolth.) but will keep it out of the non-spoilers zone.

I thought it was okay. I had no expectations at all so I wasn’t really disappointed. Word on Hugo Weaving.  He rawks!  Give that man an Oscar (tm)!

Just got back from a showing- and I seem to be in the minority who found the movie largely disappointing.  I went into it with high expectations after downloading and watching the movie trailer several times in amazement.  It turns out most of the big effects scenes were revealed in that trailer (go figure). 

I was extremely frustrated by the rave-like pre-war partially clothed dance party interspersed with a Neo/Trinity sex scene.  I’ve read some arguments on this. . . some people feel that the scene served to illustrate the difference between humans and machines.  Well that’s fine. . . but I’m not sure such a deliniation was necessary- and even so, I’d have to agree with another critic who pointed out that of all the human characteristics to glorify, lust was a weak choice.  A more intellectual interaction of friendship or family would have been much more powerful in getting that point across. 

But you know- I can forgive the party scene.  It’s easy for me to overlook, because apart from being annoying, it didn’t HURT my feelings about the characters or the story line.  What I CANNOT forgive. . .  is the speech given by Morpheus.  In the first movie, he was quiet. . . reserved. . . a silent force, both mysterious and eminently wise.  Now, he’s more like a football coach in a locker room hyping the players before the big game.  This scene completely contradicted my previous impression of Morpheus as a sophisticated, all-knowing presence.

And finally- “the spoon”.  I hated the spoon in
the first movie. . . not because of the meaningful (albeit cliché) demonstration of bending it- but rather because of that ridiculous one-liner where Neo stops action and thinks aloud to himself “There is no spoon” before plumeting down an elevator shaft.  Please.  And now this damn spoon has become a recuring theme in the form of a gift from the gifted child.  I’m a fan of subtilty in metaphor- and nothing about this film (including the love story) is subtile. 

The special effects WERE engaging. . . and some of the new characters were interesting and enjoyable- but none of this was enough to bring this movie around for me.  I need more substance and less ‘high-school love’ style drama.  I hope the final movie in the trilogy will up the level of the intellectual bar. . . .

Me, I loved it. I’d read the mixed reviews, too, and went in expecting less. When it delivered more, I was pleased (see my mini-review, as well).

The Burly Brawl was mind-blowing.

“Miiiister Anderson...”