Okay, I loved the first MATRIX, so when the invitation arrived for THE MATRIX RELOADED I leapt on the bandwagon for both film and party and waited for the big day to arrive. This premiere was indeed a huge affair. Two theaters were filled, and police were everywhere, making sure that nobody could cross to that side of the road without a ticket. This left fans surrounding this oasis of stars in “see but don’t touch” mode – young (and not so young!) women with imploring eyes went berserk when Reeves’ limo pulled up and their object of affection was finally visible, and other fans showed equal enthusiasm when various cast members waved, gave quick interviews, and slowly made their way down the carpet.

THE FILM

In THE MATRIX RELOADED, Neo (Reeves) has gotten more comfortable with his powers and has learned to imitate Superman with his X-code vision (i.e., he can see the computer code under the Matrix’s illusion), super speed, and ability to fly without flapping his arms. In the real world, humanity’s last stronghold (Zion) is about to be attacked and destroyed by hundreds of thousands of killer robot-octopi, leaving our intrepid threesome (Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity) no choice but to reenter the Matrix in an effort to find out more about their computer enemies and the “prophecy” (which insists that “The One” will ultimately save mankind). All this, plus the addition of many new characters and an inside look at Zion (which was nothing more than a name in the first film) gives the audience a lot to ponder and/or simply stare at.

The original MATRIX pushed the envelope of special effects, and fans expected the filmmakers to do so again. Nobody will be disappointed. Sets filled with bleak, washed out colors add gravity to every scene; A pair of computer agents known as the Twins phase through cars and walls in an effort to rip your throat out with straight-razors; Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is back, along with hundreds of exact Smith copies; Neo flies at speeds that warp the glass of skyscrapers as he zips by; and Zion’s oh-so-dark design and its reliance on impossibly huge, ponderous equipment keeps your eyes helplessly glued to the screen.

What really makes the film an awesome spectacle, though, is the combination of amazing effects and action sequences so relentless that they never seem to end, instead getting more and more frenetic with each passing minute. Who will ever forget Neo facing off against dozens and dozens of Agent Smiths, while the freeway scene literally redefines the parameters of the car chase genre.

Yet, for me, a movie must offer more than fights, action, explosions, and special effects if it wants to be thought of as “special.” The characters must have depth and the story must be thought provoking. THE MATRIX series succeeds on both counts, offering us hope and heroism born of doubt in Neo, faith bordering on religious zealotry in Morpheus, love and the ability to sacrifice in Trinity, mystery in the Oracle (wonderfully played by Gloria Foster), a sophisticated but perverse/alternative philosophical view by Merovingian (Lambert Wilson, who imparts a suave, almost vampiric feel to his role), and corrupt, cold elegance by Persephone (Monica Bellucci).

THE MATRIX RELOADED is an impressive, powerful movie that will leave you amazed, gasping for breath, wide-eyed, and exhausted from the excesses pouring into your overloaded brain. It’s only then, when you feel you just can’t take anymore, that the real actions sequences will begin.

THE PARTY

When the film ended, my wife and I made a mad dash for the exit, trying to avoid the teeming masses that would trap our car in the parking structure for hours to come. Successfully making our getaway, we drove from the UCLA student town of Westwood to the Santa Monica Airport. Tickets were shown, access into the parking lot was achieved, a shuttle scooped us up, and we were deposited in front of Hanger 8, site of the Matrix party. More security made sure we were “legal” (I was all ready for the cavity searches, but they never came), and we found ourselves in an odd world where every waiter and bartender was dressed as a Matrix Agent, sporting dark sunglasses and Agent-like airs.

Several sushi bars were set up in many sections of the hanger, other kinds of food was easy to access, and bars were also in full use. Having found an “undiscovered” sushi area, my wife ordered some sashimi and was promptly joined by Keanu Reeves, who apparently shared her tastes for raw, slimy fish cadavers.

After this things became a blur: The hanger filled up, people ate, talked about the biz, listened to the loud musical emanations put on by the party DJ, and watched several male and female martial artists (on a stage behind the main bar) skillfully demonstrate various weapons seen in the film.

There's not much more to tell. Yes, a few madmen made an insane dash through the gates as they opened for the shuttle, apparently thinking they could gain entry to the party in this way. And yes, there was a crowd of people (mostly women in their early 20s who, somehow, had successfully gotten through the first line of security) at the parking lot begging for tickets, making it clear that money and/or "favors" would be forthcoming for the magic keys of their desire. Other than isolated incidences like these, though, everything went smoothly.

A great premiere, an artsy party, high adventure in Hollywood-land – it was a grand sendoff for a film that will most likely be the year’s biggest hit.

The Matrix Reloaded - Neo & Trinity
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