/* Review – “The Matrix Reloaded” */  By: Screamer Chaotix

	The first thing you think about when someone says “The Matrix” is an in-depth story that focuses on the questions that—oh bullshit, you think about mind blowing special effects that blast you through the back of the theater.  Fortunately, “The Matrix Reloaded” delivers, and then some.  Opening with a dream sequence, we find that Neo is searching for his purpose as “The One.”  With visions and dreams foretelling a future that does not sit well with him, he’s forced to seek out answers from The Oracle herself.  Her words provide nothing but more questions, and as the story unfolds, we begin to understand what being “The One” really means for Neo.  We see him face the emotions of humanity while simultaneously controlling a digital world where anything is possible.
	Reloaded will grab you by the stones and not let go.  The opening scene holds nothing back, it’s five minutes of pure, hardcore action.  Later scenes, including the famous “Neo VS. 100 Smiths” will have your jaw dropping with awe as you watch the impossible unfold before your eyes.  The highway scene is another one of those that you’ll want to watch over and over, because the sheer adrenaline rush is so amazing.  If action is what you want, Reloaded will blow you away guaranteed.
	But let’s not get too excited, no movie is perfect.  There are plenty of scenes were people just talk, and talk, and taaaaalk.  After a while you start losing interest, not because what they’re talking about is boring, but because it feels like the filmmakers are shoving the philosophy down your throat.  Also, kids…you might want to think twice before bringing your parents to this one.  The writers definitely need to calm down a little, the film is full of sexual innuendos and references.  The love scene between Neo and Trinity is just the start.  The people of Zion are barely clad, getting down and dirty, and don’t seem to have a single concern for common decency.  Sexual jokes abound, and while not nearly comparable to an NC-17 film, you may be wondering if the writers were penning this one with one hand.  (Anyone for cake?)
	Ok the action is what you want, but the philosophy is important too.  Part of the fun of the original was thinking about what you were seeing.  What is reality?  Can you trust the world around you?  What is existence?  Reloaded need not cover these as heavily, since the first film explored them so adequately.  Instead, you’re taken on a journey through the mind.  One scene in particular shows Neo surrounded by hundreds of monitors, all showing his face.  When spoken to, he reacts, but the images on the monitors react in numerous ways…all showing his (possible) emotions.  Humans, after all, are such complex machines.  Another thing to cook your noodle comes from The Oracle herself…can she be trusted?  Her origin is revealed, but her purpose remains a mystery…she does, however, give us more to think about.  Do we really decide what we want to do, or are our decisions made in advance?  If so, how did we reach them?  Think of it this way; when you leave the house, you already know your destination.  School, or the mall?  You pretend to consider, analyze, and weigh the differences…but in the end, you’re going to the mall.  Why?
	And now the moment you’ve been waiting for, the hacker content.  While we don’t get any scenes of Neo at a keyboard, we do hear a lot of references to computer programs.  Make no mistake, it’s well acknowledged that The Matrix is a computer…and a computer can be hacked.  Everything, including a piece of cake can be made to cause a women to do your every desire.  By simply modifying code we can create, or destroy, the world around us.  The moon in the sky, the wind through the trees…all pieces of code creating a whole.  In many ways, Neo is the ultimate hacker.  He’s able to manipulate the system in anyway he likes, I’d call that a hackers wet dream.
	Ending with the words “To Be Concluded”, “The Matrix Reloaded” is a feast for the senses.  I can’t say it surpasses the original, but there may very well be others who disagree.  See it on the big screen, you’ll be glad you did.

-screamer