[color=#000000:post_uid0]My post has no real spoilers. Beware of others though.

.
.
.
Who saw it? This is the first movie I've seen opening night (not midnight, as the theatre didn't have any, so 10:00 instead), and I must say I enjoyed it.

The action was incredible. Seriously, I'll never look at tractor trailers the same way again.

The plot was eh until the end. I was skeptic that they'd pull it off, and now I still am.... Still, I eagerly await [i:post_uid0]Revolutions[/i:post_uid0].[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I saw it tonight. I loved it, better than I expected. The Highway scene blew me away. *wonders if they will make a video game based on the highway scene* That would be awesome!![/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]They are doing some car-based sections in the game, I know that much.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]*Small Spoiler Ahead*

Ive been playing the game, and its awesome. It seems to follow the movie, but in the point of view from Niobe and Ghost. Since she was in the highway scene, I bet its in the game too.

Now to prosose a theory for Matrix: Resolutions

My mom just proposed this theory to me. After seeing Neo being able to stop the machines at the end of the movie in the "real world", my mom thinks its a matrix inside a matrix, and that Neo is a real person in our world. And with Zion being destroyed 5 other times like it has, it suggests that he is playing, by being plugged into the matrix, a RPG game trying to save Zion. Agent Smith is a virus in the game that is keeping Neo stuck in it. In Resolutions, he beats the game by saving Zion and escapes. It made sense to me when my mom told me.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I saw a piece in the newspaper that said that they had written, what was it, a [i:post_uid0]244-page script[/i:post_uid0] for the *game*. :O

By the way, it was a sidebar to a larger article that basically [spoilers -->][color=white:post_uid0]wrote off the plot to the movie as being nonexistent or nonsensical[/color:post_uid0].[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]According to [i:post_uid0]OPS2[/i:post_uid0] magazine, the whole thing was carefully planned to fit in with the film as much as possible, which is kinda cool. It's almost like an interactive add-on to the events of the movie, as opposed to every other movie tie-in game on the market which just capitalise on the film hype and turn out to be utter garbage.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Pretty damn big spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm not a huge fan of having a Matrix within a Matrix idea. It just doesn't feel right....

My theory is that Neo himself is not human. Think about it; his role in the movies is not much different than that of the Oracle or the Keymaker; he's there to serve a purpose. This, coupled with the fact that each incarnation of Neo looks like Keanu Reaves, coupled with the fact that Neo has some power in the real world, leads me to believe he's not human. I like this idea better.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
End pretty damn big spoilers[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'm hoping to see it for me b-day tomorrow. :)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]i watched it the day before. cool effects... plotwise... gah? i just sat there looking stumped. still do not get it. matrix within matrix theory is waaaaaay over my head. am too stupid to get anything.

loved the movie.

(as can tell, brain still recovering from the experience. should have called movie matrix overloaded.) :D[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]< spoilers >

















Well, you have two choices, Neo is either not human, or it's a matrix in a matrix :D I kid, I kid. I'm actually a fan of the matrix inside a matrix bit. It would be like a failsafe - like the power system failsafe might have foreshadowed to - perhaps.

The ending was like the ending you'd expect in an episode of [i:post_uid0]Captain Proton[/i:post_uid0].

The "philosophy" was definatly clumsy and jaunting. It made you think, but there was no work in finding it. The same questions were proposed over and over; cliche after cliche. Even though at times the Christian religious iconery was a little much to bear - they were coupled with plenty of Eastern concepts, like karma and reincarnation that balenced things out quite nicely. But, it was still done slopily. Of course, a script is never finished, it's just due - however, a longer deadline might have been better to fit in some more revisions.

The new dogma of the matrix realm took a bit to digest, but it's starting to settle - it sertinly made matters complicated, but after the meeting with the architect, things started to make sense. It was like a second disillusionment.

AWEXOME ACTION! Whoo! WHOO!!!

And... did anyone stick around and catch the teaser for the third film at the end?

















</ spoilers >[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Yes, I stayed to watch :)

As for the Matrix in a Matrix idea, I am a fan of that idea too. Another idea could be that Neo is still inside the Matrix, but I doubt that.

My mom thinks its all a game that Neo is playing and is stuck in it until he beats it.[/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="NeoMatrix"][color=#000000:post_uid0]My mom thinks its all a game that Neo is playing and is stuck in it until he beats it.[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]I think I finally understand the Matrix inside a Matrix idea. (Yep, brain has recovered from overload) Positively cool, like one of those mental curveballs they were throwing in the original movie.

I like it.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][quote:post_uid0="NeoMatrix"]My mom thinks its all a game that Neo is playing and is stuck in it until he beats it.[/quote:post_uid0]
I seem to recall a corny-looking movie (but then, I came in at the climax) that had that plot. A one-word title, the good guys zip around in some levitating shuttle inside the computer, love triangle, the hero's chucking Frisbees around... can't think of the title though.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][b:post_uid0]Homer:[/b:post_uid0] Uh...it's like...did anyone see the movie "Tron"?
[b:post_uid0]Hibbert:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Lisa:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Marge:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Wiggum:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Bart:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Patty:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Wiggum:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Ned:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Selma:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Frink:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Lovejoy:[/b:post_uid0] No.
[b:post_uid0]Wiggum:[/b:post_uid0] Yes. I mean -- um, I mean, no. No, heh.[/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="Saxamaphone"][color=#000000:post_uid0][b:post_uid0]Homer:[/b:post_uid0] Uh...it's like...did anyone see the movie "Tron"?[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]Strangeness. I've never watched "Tron". Is it good?[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I happen to think it's quite good, but others may not agree with me.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][quote:post_uid0]I've never watched "Tron". Is it good?[/quote:post_uid0]

It's got Bruce Boxleitner in it. Shall I go on? *g*

Basically, it's the grandaddy of all inside-the-machine movies. This is the time when computers were big clunky things with mainframes the size of small cars, 5 1/4" floppy drives, bright- green- or eye-watering-orange-on-black screens (like my ICQ colour scheme <g>).

The special effects look like something from the early 80s, which oddly enough was when the movie was made.

And I just saw Reloaded today, so I can finally read this thread.[/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="Sa'ar Chasm"][color=#000000:post_uid0]It's got Bruce Boxleitner in it. Shall I go on? *g*[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]I take that as a 'no'? LoL. Hmm. Must go look for movie sometime. And make own judgement.

Hmm 1980s. Was that before or during the cyberpunk era? Cannot remember. Must go do more research.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I maintain that [i:post_uid0]The American President[/i:post_uid0] has Bruce Boxleitner in it. I know it's Michael Douglas, but darn it, he's got to be either Boxleitner or his long-lost twin.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Spoilers, but not too much more than has already been posted.











At this point I've seen it twice, and I think it's way better the second time. I must admit, the first time through much of the plot struck me as contrived and kinda cheesy. I was disappointed right up until the scene with the Archetect (spelling, anyone?) . But after seeing that scene, the whole movie makes a lot more sense and seems a lot less cheesified. In fact, after the second time I've decided it's quite brilliant, and I really wasn't expecting that. Not only did it have enormous potential apon conclusio (November, hurry up now), it was very good as a stand alone movie. If you think about it, everything after the climax can be considered exposition for Revolutions anyway, and most of the story before the climax wrapped itself up quite nicely. This is why I'm not even bothering to try an figure out the deal with Neo and the sentinels; it's really only a teaser for Revolutions anyway, and I don't claim to be able to predict the Wachowskis. It also took the basic theme of Matrix (love) and was able to elaborate and show that it was going somewhere, something which I think many critics of the movie who gave it bad reviews may not have picked up upon.
The main difference between Matrix and Reloaded just the general feel; Matrix was much more mysterious, an option that was obviously not available to Reloaded. As a result, Reloaded needed to obtain much more of it's effect through plot and epic, as opposed to concept and event. This makes Reloaded a very different movie, but IMO still a great movie. My only real beef is the fight music; they could've used better techno at least. I personally prefer Don Davis's score, but I can see how it'd be less appropriate in these circumstances.
Also, despite Reloaded's greatness, I still think it had nothing on the lobby scene. That scene will live forever.











End[/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="Kosst"][color=#000000:post_uid0]Also, despite Reloaded's greatness, I still think it had nothing on the lobby scene. That scene will live forever.[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]The lobby scene from the original Matrix? That's the one part of the movie I can't stand. It was just so much gratuitous violence. All the rest of the violence felt like it had a purpose, but that scene was just empty.

Anyway, finally saw Reloaded today and so I am now reading this thread. ([b:post_uid0]and posting spoilers[/b:post_uid0])

I thought the movie wasn't that bad, but since I had heard many, many people pan the movie, I was not expecting anything wonderful.

likes:
- everything from the destruction of the power plant on
- the freeway scene (okay, okay, I just ranted about the lobby scene from the first one and here I am liking the freeway scene in this one. So sue me. I have no idea why I liked one and disliked the other.)

dislikes:
- Most of the shots of Zion, but especially the temple scene with Morpheus's speech followed by a massive celebration while Trinity and Neo have sex. Was there even a point to it? The whole time I was watching the scene I thought "Will this ever end? Why didn't they edit this out?" Perhaps Revolutions will bring it some meaning....
- Any monologue by any person other than the Architect; the french guy had a line or two worth hearing, but the speech as a whole was bland.

about the matrix in a matrix thing: Not a bad theory. To an extent, it would explain the tinting and Neo's powers, but I've heard enough about parallels between [i:post_uid0]The Matrix[/i:post_uid0] and [i:post_uid0]The Thirteenth Floor[/i:post_uid0]. No need to add to them.

My brother watched the movie with me and he complained about how Neo was so invulnerable. At no point did he seem in any real danger and even his blood drops made no difference. I said that it pretty much had to be that way. Either Neo stays as invulnerable as he was in the first Matrix (maintaining continuity, but removing any element of danger), or he becomes vulnerable somehow (robbing the first Matrix of its meaning, but adding tension and danger), or they get to him in the real world (which they seemed to mainly stay out of, and when they did show him in the real world, he was able to use his Q powers there too).

Anyway, not a bad movie. I wouldn't mind seeing it again and I look forward to Revolutions.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]*spoilers - LOTS of spoilers*
.
.
.
.
The matrix-within-the-matrix seemed to be the point, I thought. What else could the Architect have been talking about, regarding an option to cover the last 1%, and Neo having a purpose, and the machines already having destroyed Zion five times? And why else would Neo be able to stop the machines in the real world, just like in the Matrix ("I can... feel them...").

My guess is that there are at least three Matrixes (Matrices? Matrixi?). The second one we've just been exposed to. But if that Matrix-within-a-Matrix is the final one - why on Earth do the machines need the One, why assign him a purpose? They could just start the whole world over again every hundred years or so. The One doesn't need to select the Zion refugees - certainly the machines can do that. It would work like this -

The Lower Matrix is for the common person, simulating "normal life."
Then there is the Middle Matrix, for the "1%" - the rebellious and dissatisfied, who would otherwise cause trouble in the lower Matrix. Instead, they are led to believe that they are freedom fighters, fighting for the human race; in fact, they are still in the hands of the machines.
And then there is the Upper Matrix. This is for people like Neo - people so phenomonal, supermen who could not possibly be content without his incredible struggle. And if Neo needs to be a superhero, he needs plot twists, because otherwise (for example - if he wins), he stops being special. So the Upper Matrix fulfills that need - allowing Neo to realize he is still in the Matrix (the Middle Matrix now), but still keeping him in the machines' clutches. The choice at the end is a wonderful example - the machines know by now that risking the entire human race to save Trinity, out of love, is *exactly* the kind of thing that Neo needs to be doing in order to retain his self-image.

Of course, if the "Real World" is really still the Matrix, all bets are off. We don't know *who* the controllers are - they could be machines, they could be humans, they could be three-legged orangutangs from Alpha Centauri. This could make for a very surprising ending.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie a lot... very different from the original, of course. Now that Neo's beliefs about the nature of reality have been shaken up again, it is possible that the third movie will have more of the original's mysterious flavor.

The action scenes did begin to get tiresome after a while, though. I mean, practically Neo's [i:post_uid0]definition[/i:post_uid0] as the One is that he wins all the fights. So what's the point? The Morpheus and Trinity ones, on the other hand, had a bit more suspense. A bit.

What the movie *did* focus on, though you can really only see this in retrospect, is a casual examination of the way the Matrix works. It makes sense - last movie was mysterious, till the answers are revealed; now, we can explore some of the details. So we had all the programs - the Oracle, the Keymaker, and the rest. We had the remenants of previous versions of the Matrix - the Twins and werewolves and whatnot, providing explanation of the Matrix and the paranormal (great stuff for RPGs, btw). And the corridor of back doors. And so on.

So I'm looking forward to Revolutions... I particularly want to see what they do with the Agent Smiths (I'm a die-hard fan of clones and doubles). I hope it's something more interesting then "try to kill Neo."

Signing out, folks.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Just saw it.

My 8 word/concept review:

Really loved it. Bring on #3! Woo!

~Nan[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]That's only 7 words.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Not if you count "#". Especially if you read it out loud.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]For all with the capability/will to do so, you should be playing the game. It's entertaining enough, but there are certain plot points which help out (though certain others manage to irritate), and it gives a little bit better a picture of what the third film will be like.

Also, it would make a nice addition to the 5MVG page :)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][quote:post_uid0]dislikes:
- Most of the shots of Zion, but especially the temple scene with Morpheus's speech followed by a massive celebration while Trinity and Neo have sex. Was there even a point to it? The whole time I was watching the scene I thought "Will this ever end? Why didn't they edit this out?" Perhaps Revolutions will bring it some meaning....[/quote:post_uid0]
I really hate any sex/sexual scenes thrown into a movie with no purpose, however, I really thought this one fit. I may be way off, but I got a lot out of this scene. The big thing it said to me is "We are humans! We are not machines! We are not being controlled and we are free! We are alive!" Especially for people like Neo and Trinity that spend a lot of time in the Matrix, the need to feel alive and real has got to be overwhelming. Also, the desire to lose oneself in sex or music or dancing and just be, not thinking about all the problems. I felt the same as you when I first started watching this scene, but as I thought about it, it really made sense. I would agree that the scene was perhaps a tad long, but it made a solid impact that way.

The thing I disliked most about the movie was the scenes with their new operater (can't even remember his name which shows how much I didn't care about his character). I wish they had either left them out or done more with it because I really didn't care about him and the scenes with him and his woman seemed pointless to me (though funny). I cared more about that hanger-on guy that kept bugging Neo and crew.

The most confusing scenes were the ones where our heros were getting ready to get Neo into the core. They kept cutting back and forth from scenes that weren't happening at the same time, though I imagine a second viewing will make it a little easier.

Absolutely loved all the action scenes, when Neo was fighting the million Smiths it was just hilarious. I could see the directors planning that scene out. The architect scene was great as others have mentioned. The oracle was hilarious again, I love her character. This one also had more laugh-out-loud lines in it for me than the first one.

I can't wait to see who is lying, who is telling the truth, who is on who's side, what the heck is the guy who I think has Smith in him going to do, what happened to Neo, what is going on with the guy protecting the oracle, will we see the french guy again, and a million other questions. Thank goodness I don't have to wait a year![/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="Quinalla"][color=#000000:post_uid0]Especially for people like Neo and Trinity that spend a lot of time in the Matrix, the need to feel alive and real has got to be overwhelming. Also, the desire to lose oneself in sex or music or dancing and just be, not thinking about all the problems. I felt the same as you when I first started watching this scene, but as I thought about it, it really made sense. I would agree that the scene was perhaps a tad long, but it made a solid impact that way.[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]Alright. From now on I'm taking you to the movies with me. That's a great analysis and it makes a lot more sense in that context. I still think it was long, but your explanation does make it more understandable. I just wish there would've been some sort of statement that underscored that theme while I was watching the movie. Then again, maybe it was mentioned in Morpheus's speech. I didn't find it compelling enough to listen to. I like Morpheus as the calm, subdued guy who speaks slowly and clearly rather than the shirtless fanatic who yells at a crowd on the verge of an orgy.

[quote:post_uid0]The thing I disliked most about the movie was the scenes with their new operater (can't even remember his name which shows how much I didn't care about his character). I wish they had either left them out or done more with it because I really didn't care about him and the scenes with him and his woman seemed pointless to me (though funny). I cared more about that hanger-on guy that kept bugging Neo and crew.[/quote:post_uid0]
Link is his name, if you care. I basically agree with you that it was pretty unexciting. In my opinion, so was the kid who hero-worshipped Neo. But neither of them raised any strong dislike from me either.

Did you hear that the actor who played Tank is suing the Wachowski Brothers for not rehiring him? They offered him a role, but when he asked for more money, they turned him down and hired Link. Stupid lawsuit-happy society.

[quote:post_uid0]The most confusing scenes were the ones where our heros were getting ready to get Neo into the core. They kept cutting back and forth from scenes that weren't happening at the same time, though I imagine a second viewing will make it a little easier.[/quote:post_uid0]
That threw me at first also. But once I noticed the power station from the beginning of the movie, things suddenly clicked for me.

[quote:post_uid0]Absolutely loved all the action scenes, when Neo was fighting the million Smiths it was just hilarious. I could see the directors planning that scene out.[/quote:post_uid0]
Honestly the Smiths scene got a little long for me at the end. I think it got that way when it became obvious that neither Neo nor the Smiths were in any real danger, nor would inflict any premanent damage on the other.

[quote:post_uid0]The oracle was hilarious again, I love her character.[/quote:post_uid0]
Unfortunately, the actress playing her is dead. They had shot all the scenes they needed for Reloaded but not Revolutions so I wouldn't count on seeing her much in Revolutions.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]^They've got a new actress for the third movie and for the game (which is canon, btw). Explanation? The termination codes to her old shell were sold to the Merovingian by a couple of programs wishing to protect "the life of their child" (from the game).

...needless to say, we've got several months to wait for something more coherent.

Oh, and for those not in the know, The Animatrix releases this Tuesday (region 1 anyway). The anime shorts detail such things as the man/machine war and the creation of the matrix, the fate of the ship which discovered the sentinel army, and the story of "Kid" who followed Neo around Zion. What I've seen so far is quite good, so I for one plan to buy it.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I want to watch the Animatrix, I heard it was absolutely gorgeous. It IS going to be released on DVD, is it not? That's what I heard.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]There was just a commercial for it comming out on DVD on TV - so, I'd say that's a yes.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]this Tuesday, like I said ;)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Know what else is coming out on DVD this Tuesday? [b:post_uid0]DS9 Season 3[/b:post_uid0]! Woohoo!

Anyone know how much Animatrix run for?[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]The DVD box sets are waaaaaaay too expensive for me to buy. I'm just going to have to wait till DS9 gets out on TNN in 2004 to see them. ::major sigh:: Unless someone wants to get them for me! :)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][quote:post_uid0]Oh, and for those not in the know, The Animatrix releases this Tuesday (region 1 anyway). The anime shorts detail such things as the man/machine war and the creation of the matrix, the fate of the ship which discovered the sentinel army, and the story of "Kid" who followed Neo around Zion. What I've seen so far is quite good, so I for one plan to buy it.[/quote:post_uid0]

i've already seen animatrix. :D[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Channel 5 actually showed one of the [i:post_uid0]Animatrix[/i:post_uid0] shorts not that long ago - I think it was called [i:post_uid0]Last Flight of the Osiris[/i:post_uid0]. The quality was just superb. I definately would buy the DVD if I could.[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]And there's another one tonight: 12:30 - 12:40, on Ch5 again.[/color:post_uid0]

[quote:post_uid0="PointyHairedJedi"][color=#000000:post_uid0]Channel 5 actually showed one of the [i:post_uid0]Animatrix[/i:post_uid0] shorts not that long ago - I think it was called [i:post_uid0]Last Flight of the Osiris[/i:post_uid0]. The quality was just superb. I definately would buy the DVD if I could.[/color:post_uid0][/quote:post_uid0]
[color=#000000:post_uid0]It's called [i:post_uid0]Final Flight of the Osiris[/i:post_uid0], and it's definitely the best one of the episodes (both plot and animation). Too bad they weren't all that good. (though still good)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I haven't seen [i:post_uid0]Reloaded[/i:post_uid0], but I thought I'd drop by to greet our new members, [b:post_uid0]catalina_marina[/b:post_uid0] and [b:post_uid0]Kodu[/b:post_uid0]. Welcome to the boards, guys; hope you enjoy it here. (Well, Catalina clearly will... she's up to 21 posts in six days. Yowza.)[/color:post_uid0]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]tnx zeke! i really do enjoy :smile:

[quote:post_uid0]It's called Final Flight of the Osiris, and it's definitely the best one of the episodes (both plot and animation). Too bad they weren't all that good. (though still good)[/quote:post_uid0]

i totally agree :D too bad really, that they're so short.[/color:post_uid0]