WEB PAGE TOOLS ~ Print this article ~ E-mail your opinion on this article OTHER A & E STORIES ~ Come to the Cabaret! ~ Sam Hamill's American voice - Poet, translator and founder of "Poets Against the War" speaks on campus ~ Arts and Entertainment Briefs Matrix Reloaded: If you can make it past the first 30 minutes you'll be pleased Brian Kerin Ebbtide Reporter After much fan anticipation, the Wachowski brothers have finally given us the second installment in the "Matrix" saga. The reviews are mixed. The gossip has mainly centered on the growing relationship between the movie's protagonists, Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and the awkward love scenes that accompanied this added plotline in an already jumbled story. It's only fitting that a couple of directors, known mainly for their action sequences and fight scenes, would fuddle up almost every love scene. I mean, we all forgave George Lucas for his atrocious and boring love sequences in "Episode II," knowing that his strong points can be found elsewhere. Photo courtesy of www.thematrix.com Morpheus and Agent Smith battle over a lucrative sunglasses endorsement contract. Likewise, my qualm with the Wachowski's lays elsewhere: Why is it that I had to sit through a scene with the all-too-cool Morpheus (Lawrence Fishbourne) giving a pep talk to the free peoples of Zion with corny, inspirational music in the background and enough lame camera shots to impress Michael Bay? After a decent latter half, I walked away from "Matrix: Reloaded" with a good feeling in my stomach. Some of the better aspects of the film were, of course, the wonderfully choreographed fight and action scenes. Also, the introduction of the last refuge of the free people in earth, Zion, gave the Matrix world a whole new setting and an answer to all those questions left over from the first film. The addition of a whole array of new characters also gave the film a new and fresh feeling. Harold Perrineau as Link, the pilot/operator to Morpheus' ship, is great as comic relief. Jada Pinkett Smith as ship captain Niobi, and Morpheus' past love interest, also adds to the growing Matrix world. The villains also received an upgrade (no pun intended) with the addition of the Twins (Adrian and Neil Rayment), a couple of dredlocked albinos who can materialize in and out of human form. Also, the all-too memorable Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is back with an upgrade of his own; he can reproduce himself simply by touching anyone he comes in contact with. This especially is interesting in a fight scene between Neo and too-many-to-count "Smiths." Overall, "Matrix Reloaded" is a great film and, like all sequels, has upped the ante from the first film. But, I'm sorry to say, some unsavory aspects of the film will take away the cult-like status the Wachowski brothers have been awarded since the first "Matrix" reached its pinnacle of popularity. If it's any consolation for any of the fanatics out there, they do have one film left to either completely ruin the phenomenon or take it right back into epic standings. If you sit all the way through the green Matrix-like credits at the end of the movie, you will be treated to a short teaser for "Matrix: Revolutions." Even if it was too short for satisfaction, I still don't know if I can wait until November when the last and final film is set to make its appearance on the big screen. © 2003 Shoreline Community College™