It's the second coming of Neo.

The Matrix Reloaded is the first sequel to 1999's insanely popular The Matrix. Unfortunately, this film isn't as tightly wrangled as the original. The 1999 film moved at a quick and steady pace. Even when Neo was having a huge chuck of philosophy whipped on him, the film didn't slow. This film has pacing problems. Either it is in high gear or it's idling in neutral.

The Matrix Reloaded picks up a little after the 1999 film. Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity we learn really are soldiers in the war against the machines. They have a command structure they must answer to. There is friction between Morpheus and his superior. But let's face it, we've seen that a million times movies. The human city Zion is being threatened. The machines are tunneling towards it rapidly. The big debate is what should be done to fight them off.

This is a vehicle for two things, philosophy (mostly eastern), and kick ass fight scenes. The philosophy is actually quite welcome. Very few movies these days have anything to say. The trouble is the film grinds to a halt when it's time for these ideas.

The fight scenes are a problem. The special effects wizards have perfected a method of visual sampling. Now the actors do very little of the fight. The scenes look more and more like video games. Perhaps that is one of the points of the film. Nothing is real. But I found it distracting, and I kept remembering that I as watching a movie. A good movie never would allow this to happen.

I do have to say this film has been perfectly targeting to the computer geek audience. Imagine explaining many of the base ideas of philosophy with computer metaphors. Even the hallway of backdoors was an impressive thought for a summer film.

If you liked The Matrix you should see this film. But be warned, there is no ending. The end of this film arrives in theaters in six months. But look in the bright side, it's not Star Wars where you have to wait yet another three years for some answers.