Just when I think I have had the worst misfortunes in the history of internet, I find another who can top it. One 9/11, two deaths, two bankruptcies and 3 starborn injuries later The Matrix Reloaded finally hits the big screen in mid May. And taking no chances on any further mishaps, the third was filmed back-to-back, due out in August. Frankly, I didn't notice any delays on these films, but producers had every intention to bring these to fans sooner.

Reloaded begins where The Matrix left audiences, the newest recruit from human imprisonment as a "battery" unit for the evil machines struggles to fulfill his destiny as "The One" who will eventually defeat the bots and free all of mankind. Neo, played by Keanu Reeves (Dracula, Freaked, Johnny Mnemonic, The Gift and due to play the occult comic hero, Constantine, next year) spends his time super flying about the fantasy world the machines have created for us, looking to kungfuey the crapola outta any agent the machines throw at them. His mentor, Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Cherry 200, and Event Horizon), has found out the machines have discovered the location of the last free human refuge, deep underground, and recalls Neo to help before the army of Sentinels burrow their way down to Zion. Neo is still torn between his destiny as the savior of all mankind, and his own dark vision to the fate of his love, Trinity, played by Carrie-Anne Moss (Red Planet and next year's thriller, Suspect Zero).

But Neo has his hands full, as the machines have thrown a few loops into the Matrix. For example, Agent Smith, played by Hugo Weaving (Elrond of the Lord of the Rings trilogy), has upgraded to 2.0 and can do all sorts of nifty things like multiply into hundreds of himself. And as the team gathers together to find The Keymaker, they have to get past a pair of twin guardians, sporting blond dreadlocks, with a few new tricks of their own. But as they struggle to bring out the man holding the keys to all the matrix doors, they are aided by a few folks, including: Kain, working furiously behind the keyboard - Harold Perrineau Jr. (the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet in the best Mercutio performance I have ever seen), and Niobe, Morphius's ex-lover played by Jada Pinkett Smith (Tales from the Crypt's Demon Knight, Scream 2 and yes, MIB's Will Smith's wife).

While The Matrix Reloaded will inevitably leave us with a naughty cliffhanger, it's so chock full of nifty new FX that it shouldn't frustrate audiences. Besides the mega million dollar freeway battle and numerous slowmo bullet evading scenes, we'll finally get to see the infamous underground city of Zion. And plenty of surprises, such as the machines own internal conflict with their upgraded spawn of new programs. Even a cameo with middleweight, super middleweight, light heavy AND heavyweight boxing champ, Roy Jones Jr.

Release Date: May 15th, 2003

Check out all The Matrix trilogy goodies at the official web site:
http://www.whatisthematrix.com/

 Also, read Samuel Walters review of The Matrix Reloaded film, at the Dauntless Media website:

http://dauntlessmedia.net/matrix/reloaded-film-review.html