The Matrix: Reloaded

Come take a look at this summer's biggest movie. The Matrix: Reloaded is going to blow you away - we explain why in our special preview.

With an unprecedented flurry of comic-inspired action movies making their way back into the diet of film fans today, it must be brought to the table that the success of the first Matrix film had a heavy hand in leading the way to making comic style action stories sexy again.

The Matrix made such a leap having evolved the stylisation of previous sci-fi hero related films as well as delivering such a bold cinematic presence and accessibility to younger film fans today. It's thanks the great vision of directors such as the Wachowski brothers (as well as Singer and Raimi in their respective films) that has regenerated such a mainstream interest in films of this ilk again.

When we first found out about The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions (the final chapter scheduled for December 2003), like every other fan we gagged with anticipation as to where they would take the story, and moreso eager to see how they may in some way elevate the genus of sci-fi adventure again.

Whether it'll raise the already high standard of special effects and cinematics remains to be seen, but from what the studio has released so far is absolutely jaw-droppingly amazing to say the least.

Drooling aside... The story picks up from the original plot after Neo (Keanu Reeves) realises he is "The One" having confronted the agents in the matrix to save Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne),Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Tank (new actor to be confirmed).

With 72 hours to go, Neo and his rebels must face those behind the suppression before the 250,000 computer-controlled probes wipe out the remaining human survivors of Zion who have yet been enslaved by the machines. Neo not only has to make some choices that'll affect the survival of the human race after seeing the Oracle but in effect, face some of the deadliest digital warriors standing in the way of liberation.

From what's been seen so far as villains go, the agents (led by Agent Smith played by Hugo Weaving) are back and ostensibly craftier than before with the ability to create doppelgangers of themselves onto the rebel adversaries, posing both a confusing and very testing threat to the protagonists.

Reloaded plays host in introducing some key characters likely to be instrumental to the final instalment of the trilogy. There's Persephone (played by Monica Bellucci) an evil temptress, whose partner has the ability to wire the virtual world however he likes.

Then there are also the greatly hyped blond-dreadlocked virus twins (portrayed by Neil and Adrian Rayment) who are deleted programs offered free-roam back into the matrix to reign havoc. Interviews with the Rayment brothers have pointed to a scorcher of a fight between the virus twins, Morpheus and Trinity, as well as a two on one must-see sword face-off with Neo.

Audiences who have seen the trailer already will be familiar with what appears to be a mammoth car chase possibly as long as a 15 minute sequence! With multiple agents on the tail of Morpheus and Trinity as they flee from a motorway pursuit, we were promised in a recent interview by special effects guru, John Gaeta, that the new style of bullet-time will immerse audiences with the action thanks to a more fluid and mobile camera technique. Potentially, this could allow the cameras to circle any scene showing Neo and crew in flight and during mid-air martial arts antics as it kicks off, or skirt around the big car chase as it unfolds by weaving through exploding cars and traffic.

The Matrix Reloaded is essentially the must-watch film this summer! We can't help but liken the buzz of sky-high expectations pinned for this sequel to that of say, The Two Towers, Aliens or Terminator 2 and their predecessors... which in our eyes is a more favourable thing than to compare it to lesser acclaimed sequels such as The Lost Worlds. No doubt the Wachowski brothers will be locked in darkened post-production rooms right now with their editors to make the final touches. We wait with baited breath for more info leading up to the theatrical release of this film, so check back soon for more updates on Reloaded and Revolutions.

Transistor Sister