mjmarkic

I really liked "The Matrix". The unique themes and perspectives were quite impressive. It had action, fantastic effects, and even some great things to think about.

Well...!! What Happened ???

It appears that Hollywood success got the best of everyone involved in this film. Some great sequences and still some good ideas but... Noisier, flashier, longer, is not necessarily better. The film is too long, and the drawn out action sequences get to the point of tedium. Those drawn out sequences only take away from the ideas and philosophies that many found rather unique and involving. There really is nothing that allows you to become involved, other than, when's the next shootout, and how will they get away this time.

The love scene was one of the least erotic scenes I've ever seen in an R-Rated film and the Quasi Rave, Disco celebration(?) in Zion, after Morpheus' unity speech was ridiculous. (I had to stop from laughing out loud). Don't use logic or reason to the, why(?), of the over long fighting sequences because that won't stand up to analysis, they only deaden some of the first films ideas.

I know this film will make tons of money. But now, it's all juvenile shoot-em' ups, and overly long drawn out fights. (Why did these fights go on forever, when they knew the agents & Smiths couldn't be killed…I guess it was for the non-thinkers and pubescent boys that really love that stuff…)

So much for some of the first films thought provoking ideas. This one really left me cold.

A touching look at life, human weaknesses, missed dreams, and opportunities.

Having read all of the posted reviews, what I find most interesting is the overall male consensus that the film portrays the husband as the guilty party for his wife's dissatisfaction. Being male, I find it hard to believe that so many of my gender feel so weak and betrayed.

Pearl, doesn't blame her husband and only learns to value and understand him better as also having missed out on some of life's potential. Also, I find it hard to accept the moralizing in the reviews. The film is not condoning the illicit relationship, the idyllic couplings and temporary `escape', are photographed as what we dream we've missed. Are acted out fantasies, to be moralized? Pearl knows, the fantasy can't last and a price will be paid.

Haven't we all missed out from time to time? How many men have fantasized (and acted out) Pearl's actions and expected to be forgiven. Why because they're men??? A well acted, beautifully filmed, and nicely scored remembrance, of the period of self exploration and human frailty.