The Matrix Reloaded (R, 2003)

common sense media says

Electrifying but still violent 2nd in trilogy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie has intense and prolonged violence and peril including guns and martial arts. Characters are killed (sometimes more than once). There are a few four-letter words. There is a deeply romantic sexual encounter (briefly graphic) and brief nudity. Minority and women characters are strong, brave, loyal, and intelligent.

Positive role models: Brave, strong, intelligent women and minority characters.
Violence: Violence, characters killed, some gross effects. Extreme peril.
Sex: One sexual encounter, bare breasts.
Language: Some strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Matrix Reloaded

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about some of the character's comments about destiny and choice. Is choice "an illusion created by those with power?" Humans, who created the machines, are now trying to wrest back control from the machines. Whose choices led to that conflict? Is Neo "the one" and what does that mean? Who or what is the Oracle?

What's the story?

What's the story?
No refreshers to bring us back into the world of the original Matrix -- this second installment literally starts with a bang as a woman in black breaks into some sort of secured facility and fights off the guards. We are back in the world where the machines use humans for fuel, lulling the humans into thinking that they are living mundane lives so that they will not realize that they are merely an energy source. Only a few humans know the truth, and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) believe that one of them, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is "the one" who will defeat the machines. The scenes shift back and forth between Zion, the city where the humans who resist the machines live and the illusory "city" maintained by the computers called The Matrix.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
And the answer is -- Yes! This is the movie the fans of the original Matrix were hoping it would be, and it's the bridge between the chapter that sets up the conflict and the chapter that resolves it. This movie has electrifying fight scenes, an audaciously dystopic vision, zillions of explosions and car crashes, a steamy love scene, and visual effects that raise the bar from the first one as much as the first one raised it from everything that had gone before.

The action sequences will knock your socks off. Episode One's Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has learned how to multiply, and Neo has to fight a hundred Smiths, each with its own version of Weaving's magnificently cocked eyebrow. Real-life twins (and black belt karate instructors) Adrien and Neil Rayment play dredlocked albinos who can turn themselves into ghost-like wraiths out to destroy our heroes. And then there is a heart-stopping 14-minute chase and crash scene on a freeway. Still, just as with the first one, the most powerful scene doesn't have fancy special effects or explosions. It's the conversation between Neo and the Oracle, played with endless warmth, wit, and spirit by the late Gloria Foster. The movie also taps into epic questions of destiny, causality, identity, and choice.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Cast: Carrie-Anne Moss, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 138 minutes
Theatrical release: May 15, 2003
DVD release: October 6, 2003
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sci-fi violence and some sexuality

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

 
visually stunning
The boys did it again. I went and saw this at a sold out matinee and was not disappointed. The usually talkative locals were struck silent by the images on the screen, a pleasant suprise. Some parents brought their older children, and they did not seem overly disturbed by the scenes on the screen. I personally would not take anyone under 13 to the movie, but I am very selective about the images portrayed to my child. For adults and those over 13 who have had the "talk", by all means, GO! Don't expect a deep story, but do expect a serious visual assault that will leave you wanting more. Stay for the credits and the after-credits treat.

Trinity507
teen, 17 years old
 
Not as good as the first but more fun to watch
First and foremost, this movie isn't quite as mind-blowing as its predecessor: but personally, I think it's a lot more fun to watch. Carrie-Anne Moss really comes into her own in the role of Trinity - I was very happy to see that character portrayed as strong in her own right as well as in her relationship with Neo (a refreshing break from the regrettable helplessness of Bella Swan in the Twilight saga). I was also pleased that "the scene" between Trinity and Neo was treated as romantic instead of simply a hook for teens. Minority characters are given strong roles, which was also awesome to see. The special effects are dazzling (this movie contains my favorite car chase EVER!), the story and script are acceptable (if not quite up to the standards of the first), the dialogue can be painfully cheesy but still raises many interesting questions, and all in all, this is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Archanos
teen, 16 years old
 
Ok for pre-teens and up
When I first saw the matrix was twelve, and I fell in love with the entire trilogy. The violence isn't too bad. Sure there's blood but the more violent parts are brief. As fore the one sexual scene. Nothing is shown except for male buttocks and that's only for a few seconds. The matrix is great for a short while, but frankly it depends slightly too much on rich sci-fi ideas and fight scenes. Neo (the main character) is emotionless as possible through at the entire movie. However, I still love and watch it today.

JWMQuan
adult
 
there's one scene with Trinity and Neo doing sex and they're naked.

 
The original was better, but still, quite a ride!
The Matrix reloaded is a sequel that seems to know what was popular in the original. The Matrix (1999) was a Sci-fi movie that seemed go down the same brilliant route that Star Wars took by adding fun action to timeless mythology. The Matrix was 75% Socrates and 25% John Woo. However The Matrix Reloaded however was 25% Plato and 75% Jet Li. I can see why Writer/Directors the Washouski brothers would take this route as the action scenes were what got 90% of the attention in the original but still I can't quite envision this being remembered as a classic the way the first will no doubt be remembered.

potatoes
teen, 15 years old
 
GOOD
This movie was pretty good. It had very intense action scenes mostly in the car chase. Some blood and brief language but overall good.

manay_4511
teen, 14 years old
 
perfect for teens and adults!
this movie has alot of violence, i hope teens are gonna handle watching this also!

4Spice
adult
 
awesome movie 15 and over
damm this is a great movie the truth is it has mild nudity in it 15 and over lots of action worth watching

SeanWeb.com
teen, 17 years old
 
Electrifying Sequel Still Keeps The Matrix Experience Alive
Great sequel. Still doesn't disappoint. There's a lot more action and a whole lot more going on that just can't be fit into one movie. The action is still great and is taken to the next level with "The Matrix Reloaded". Though it is a little more violent than the first one, it's not by much. But there is one sexual scene that even I had to cover my eyes for (take note, it's not as bad as it could have been. I just hate sex scenes all together). But overall, I still enjoyed the story. After the movie ends, it leaves you with "to be continued", that's what really gets you worked up for the next movie. So if you enjoyed the first film, you'll enjoy the second film as well.

Shinjo
adult
 
This movie is a total repeat of "The Matrix".
This movie is just the same special effects and everything like the first one. If you really were hoping for a good sequel, it's not your lucky day. I would say don't even see this movie, because it's like seeing a twisted Matrix again. I don't like it because, IT'S A TOTAL REPEAT!

jaredfaux
parent of 10 year old
 
very good for devoted movie fans
not a good movie. , , and very dark plot line.

slim shady rocks
teen, 18 years old
 
this is fine its an little wose than matrix 1 this was a good movie but 1 was better

Plague
parent
 
The Matrix Reloaded
If this is your first time watching the Matrix I recommend you watch the first one before this. Reloaded has an amazing plot and epic fights that should be appropriate for all viewers.

BeyondBD
teen, 16 years old
 
not as good as the first
The continuation of the Matrix… Now before any of you hate me, I LOVED the first Matrix. But this one falls WAAAAAAY too short from the previous movie. It was confusing and had a sex scene lasting 5 minuets. I did NOT want to see that! I mean, talk about nerdy! No offense to all those nerds out there, I am one. Also, there were a ton of other suggestive sexual things. And trust me; I understood every one of the things this movie was hinting on. The action was pretty good. Kick butt moments. But it will not make up for this movie. The story was not as good as the first ether. It lacked the astonishing awesomeness of the first. I suggest if you’re a die hard fan of the first, go ahead and see this; most likely you’ll like it. But for me, I was disappointed.

 
better than the original
Good social commentary, great action and a real love making scene with emtion and tenderness. Too many fight scenes, some lasted several minutes to the point of boredom....give us more content, but overall it was very good, entertaining and worth full price.

cheese-process
teen, 15 years old
 
Not as good as the first.
Half of the time I didn't know what was going on, and some of the scenes were pretty cool, yet pretty stupid at the same time. The special effects were awesome, but a bit overdone. I really felt like I was playing a video game, rather than watching a movie, though. That's not really a good sign. But the movie was fun and good, (just like the sex scene, tee-hee), but many things could have been better.

perfectionist
teen, 15 years old
 
okay movie.
Pretty good movie; not as good as the first.

luke3854
teen, 18 years old
 
Good action type movie
good movie some violence and language but not too bad

mentorso1
teen, 16 years old
 
hmm...
I sadly cannot say that I was pleased with this movie. There is much dialogue which runs on, trying to impress you, but bores you instead. There is also good action, a highlight in a disappointing movie. There are only two instances of gore and many of violence. There is a long sexual scene. Some language. There were too many one liner (or one page) wannabes.

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