beefjerky

When I say technically impressive, I'm putting most of the emphasis on CGI. That said, you mention CGI actors as one of the problems of Reloaded/Revolutions. Of course, we haven't gotten to the point where human CGI actors are completely believable, but CGI Neo and Smith looked far better than the CGI humans in LOTR. There were some horrible shots of CG Legolas that were far worse than the most awkward shots of Neo and Smith. The Superpunch in Revolutions achieved incredibly believable, photorealisitic detail with CG humans, which is a lot harder to pull off than CG creatures like Gollum.

I also think Revolutions and Reloaded did a better job at compositing shots. Actors blended in better with bluescreen backgrounds in Revolutions (I noticed more seem lines in LOTR than Matrix). The shot of Morpheus slicing the Escalade is also seamless. In terms of scale, Reloaded/Revolutions had larger and more complex virtual environments than LOTR. A single APU was more complex than a fighter in a LOTR battle when you consider that when each APU fired its gun, code dictated muzzle flash, smoke, and casing ejection and trajectory. There's also parts of the Battle for Zion where unique damage to the environment had to be created to simulate bullets hitting concrete.

After watching all the extensive documentaries on visual effects for LOTR and reading up on articles for visual effects in Reloaded/Revolutions, I think the Matrix is, technically, far surperior. However, LOTR did a lot of pretty things and made a lot of pretty miniatures (the miniatures in LOTR definately beat the Matrix's miniatures), and Gollum was impressive for not looking like ass (most of the time).

metaridley

I think Revolutions is a better movie when you realize that it's just the second half of Reloaded. Viewing both of the Matrix sequels as one movie really makes it more impressive and enjoyable, at least to me.

In terms of stand-alone films, Revolutions beats out Reloaded.

Dr. DVD

Agreed. The first third of Revolutions is really little more than a wrap-up of the Reloaded plotlines (i.e. Merovingian and co. ). If you look at the two as one big sequel to the first, then it is quite good. I must say that I think Reloaded ended to abruptly and Revolutions did likewise with its beginning.

bjh_18

That's what I thought upon my first viewing of Revolutions. But after watching Reloaded a few more times, I'd have to say that I disagree. Revolutions basically tossed out most of the philosophical elements to make a pure action movie. Although Reloaded focused too much on those issues at times, it did a much better job of keeping at least part (even if it's only an extremely small part) of the spirit of the first one.

But you were right that you have to look at the two as one movie, since they really are one movie.

Dazed

I will have to rent these to see if my perception of them will change. I hated reloaded when i saw it in cinema but I enjoyed Revolutions more (probably due my expections being very low after the 2nd one).

The acting was shocking, not since Starship troopers has there been so much wood on screen

In the cinema I saw it, most of the people were laughing hysterically at the scene where, which is probably not what the filmmakers wanted

nodeerforamonth

No it doesn't. It's the internet. People love to complain.

mblitch

I have a Mitsubishi 55" HDTV and am not sure if there is a problem with my Revolutions DVD, TV, player, or some combination. All the DVDs I've typically seen have a title menu that allows scene selection, language, etc. My Revolutions DVD goes through what seems to be the title intro a few times, and then directly into the movie. I cannot get to the top, or even any menu at all.

The picture, although enhanced for 16x9, seems to be larger than my screen in than whenever I select subtitles, it seems like half of the bottom line is cut off. Has anyone else noticed this or is this behavior unusual?

jaeufraser

You know, I've seen a lot of people rag on the acting in the sequels as being bad. Now, while I wouldn't call it horrible, I will admit that the films were never stellar acting achievements. But, was it really any different than the first film? I mean, these wooden performances were no different than they were in the first film, IMO, yet somehow there is supposedly a huge difference. Are opinions being skewed by the film, or am I just missing something? And was Trinity's death scene really that much cheesier than when she brought Neo back to life with a kiss in the first one?

I'm asking this seriously...I just don't see much of a difference acting wise between these films, nor do I think quality wise the difference is so large. I can understand story complaints (even though I don't agree) but on a dramatic level, Matrix has never been anything better than serviceable, imo. Save for Hugo Weaving...he's always been at the top of his game and did give a truly inspired and entertaining performance.

Original Desmond

no it sucks even harder, serious

Josh H

I watched this for the first time last night, and quite enjoyed it. I really don't get what all the bitching is about. It's a good deal better than Reloaded IMO, and I didn't think Reloaded was a bad flick.

mgbfan

Matrix: B
Reloaded: C-
Revolitons: D

mgbfan

All right, then. Explain to me the "people as energy" concept. Most absurd idea ever. You've got to put in a butt load more energy than you can get out.

And don't even get me started on the whole "kiss of the heroine brings the hero back from the dead" nonsense.
They are? Painting with a pretty broad brush there, aren't ya?
Funniest. Quote. Ever.

Dazed

Hugo Weaving was great. I also enjoyed the French guy whose name i cant remember. I think the reason i noticed the acting more is because I wasnt gripped by the story and was actually looking at my watch to see how much longer was left (during reloaded anyway).

Yes the first Matrix film was not an outstanding acting achievment and was very cheesy in parts, but these issues were overshadowed by an interesting story and great visuals.

jaeufraser

I agree with you there. I personally found the story in the sequels to be quite interesting, moreso than the original. But, the sequels are far more convoluted and less straightforward, at least storywise, which is what I like, but I imagine can turn off quite a few viewers.

But I was just commenting on the acting...most isn't really anything special, though you're right on the Merovingian also...he was delightfully entertaining also.

SeanValen

Reloaded and Revolutions is one film for me, I mean bascially it's one film split in half, how can anyone be satisfied from a cliffhanger in reloaded, Revolutions belongs to reloaded and vise versa, I think if they released both films under the title of just Revolutions, one film in the summer, it would be a huge epic sequel to the firsT!!wow, you know the feeling, in that sense, it's a great trilogy, matrix 1 could stand alone, but reloaded and revolutions are split up, they don't have the luxury of being complete without seeing the previous films etc.

Tafellappen

I was one of them!

Seriously, how long did that last? 20 minutes?

Arden

Quote:

Reloaded left me a little bumed, revolutions left me denying the existance of both.

Ditto on both comments.
Weak plot, shit from reloaded doesn’t get resolved, I stopped caring about the fate of the characters or the outcome about 30 minutes into the film.

Matrix: A
Reloaded: B-
Revolutions: F

JaxComet

Reloaded was the first film in many years that I was unable to get through. Beyond awful........

inri222

And then some.

Matrix: A
Reloaded: C
Revolutions: F

Lastblade

Matrix: A
Reloaded: B
Revolutions: C+
Animatrix: F

I am probably the only one who grades it this way

Dr. DVD

Didn't care for Animatrix eh?

I really wonder how Reloaded and Revolutions would have been reviewed if they were put out as one movie. Would the critics have been kinder or worse?

I would say worse. While I liked it, as one huge movie the argument that it is a sprawling mess of a movie could definitely be made.

wmansir

Matrix: A
Reloaded: C+
Revolutions: C and it changed
Reloaded: D

OldBoy

it's really not that bad. people are too critical. maybe it doesn't capture the magic like the first, but rarely do sequels. revolutions has some spectacular scenes and imagery and is leagues ahead than many movies.

Oraphus

revolutions was horrible.. all the sappy love cleches were used in this one... i thought i was watching the newer star wars for a while and had to slap myself to get me out of the half-asleep slumber state i was in after about half the movie. I could care less about the charactes and could not connect with any of them.. the best moment of the movie was when it ended.

fumanstan

Matrix: A
Reloaded: B
Revolutions: B+
Animatrix: B (only because there were a few i hated)