History YMMV / TheMatrixReloaded

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: The rave scene. Several minutes of highly sexually suggestive dancing intercut with Neo and Trinity having sex. Morpheus gives a speech beforehand as if having a rave is important to the war effort despite being, well, a rave, and there's little build up to it in the story either. It has little plot relevance except to show the human vitality of Zion and characterize it as something worth saving.

* BadassDecay:
** The Agents, though still anything but harmless, are much less of a threat than they were in the [[Film/TheMatrix first film]]. Neo utterly dominates three of them at once during their fight early in the movie, [[spoiler:Smith overwrites]] them without any problems whatsoever, and even Morpheus manages to hold his own for quite a while and without serious injuries instead of getting curbstomped like when he went up against Smith back in the day. Trinity is the only main character to run into some troubles with an Agent, but even then she gives as good as she gets.
%% ** Neo. In the final battle of the first film, Neo seems to have a transcendent breakthrough. He can see and directly control the Matrix, fly, and defeat an agent with one hand quite literally behind his back. In this one, he’s just heavily skilled. Neo beats three Agents all by himself and takes on a large groups of Smiths. That's a lot more than heavily skilled.

** Ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience, there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the representation and social messages were well ahead of their time. Among other things: it touches on the ideas that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which became widely discussed topics at the dawn of TheNewTwenties, with the contemporary negative reviews the film received now argued as examples of transphobia and part of the post-9/11 backlash against intellectualism.

** Ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience, there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the representation and social messages were well ahead of their time. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which became widely discussed topics at the dawn of TheNewTwenties. with the contemporary negative reviews the film received now argued as examples of transphobia and part of the post-9/11 backlash against intellectualism.

** Leigh Wannell, who wrote and co-starred in ''Film/SawI'' the following year, is one of the crewmembers of the ''Vigilant'' [[spoiler:who dies in the bridge accident before they can alert the ship of the impending Sentinel bomb attack.]]

* SignatureScene: The Chateau fight, where Neo takes on six of the Merovingian's mooks singlehandedly. With over 26 million views on Website/YouTube at the time of writing, it is probably one of the most well-known scenes from the franchise, let alone from ''Reloaded''. The kickass music helps too.
* SpecialEffectFailure:

** The CreepyAwesome albino Twins. It helps that they have one of the few memorable action scenes that ''doesn't'' devolve into {{Narm}}

** "This is the [Nth] time we have [X], and we have become exceedingly efficient at it.". The Architect's [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness oblique speech patterns]] in general are something of a meme, with any reference to the character involving "Vis-a-vis", "ergo", "concurrently".
** The burly brawl of Neo vs the multiple Smiths became something of a StockShoutOut in one vs many fight scenes. The moment Neo uses a steel pole to horizontally "run" through the Smiths in particular is very often referenced.
** While Neo stopped the bullets in the previous films, the shot in this film of him doing so is the one that really embbed in pop culture.

** Neo vs. the Smiths teeters between this and NarmCharm. On one hand the fight scene is largely considered to be genuinely well done. On the other hand; seeing a half dozen Creator/{{Hugo Weaving}}s getting kicked around, resulting in reinforcements being called in again, and again, and again until there's a crowd of Smiths can elicit laughter. The Smiths' almost dejected look when Neo flies away adds to it.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: The rave scene. Several minutes of highly sexually suggestive dancing intercut with Neo and Trinity having sex. It has little plot relevance except to show the human vitality of Zion and characterize it as something worth saving.

** Ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience, there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the representation and social messages were actually ahead of their time. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which became widely discussed topics at the dawn of TheNewTwenties. Some people claim criticism against ''Reloaded'' has always been grounded in "transphobia" and what some have perceived as a post-9/11 backlash against intellectualism.

** The film has numerous instances where Neo is clearly not in the scene and the entirety of his body is computer-generated. While not necessarily a Special Effects Failure, it doesn't look very convincing, and the fact that the film cuts to slow motion every five seconds only serves to drive the point home. Then again, [[FridgeBrilliance it]] ''[[FridgeBrilliance does]]'' [[FridgeBrilliance take place in a simulation...]]

** Also note that the filmmakers and studio touted the sequels' "virtual cinematography" as a breakthrough on the level of the first movie's BulletTime.
*** To make it worse, when Morpheus is fighting on the semi, they screw up a basic "bluescreen" Job. Good luck taking it to the next level when you can't even handle THIS level.
*** When they do use CGI for that scene, there are still failures, making Morpheus and Agent Johnson look like battling action figures. Johnson's earlier jumping off a car is similarly something that - well, if they hadn't done the shot in slow motion they might have got away with it for at least one viewing.
*** Not only did the filmmakers and studio tout it as a breakthrough, they claimed you couldn't tell when it was CGI, despite it being extremely obvious. The frequent slow motion made it painfully apparent on first viewing. Sure, the Matrix is a "simulation", but they could have shown an UsefulNotes/Atari2600 rendering by that reasoning. The great thing about BulletTime was how ultra-real it looked, because it was real.

** Also Creator/MichaelPerrineau, who went on to play Michael on ''Series/{{Lost}}''. Guess he has a thing for [[OntologicalMystery ontological mysteries]].

** A lot of people find the Merovingian annoying, [[IntendedAudienceReaction which is clearly the intent of the filmmakers. But there are even more who like him for sheer virtue of having a more vibrant personality compared to the main cast and some genuinely funny moments.
** Link. To some, he is an interesting character, while to others, he's a PluckyComicRelief ReplacementScrappy to Tank.

** Neo. In the final battle of the first film, Neo seems to have a transcendent breakthrough. He can see and directly control the Matrix, fly, and defeat an agent with one hand quite literally behind his back. In this one, he’s just heavily skilled.

** The Architect was seen by some fans as a perfect description of the creator of the Matrix or some describe him as just an underwritten character. While most casual film-goers hated his long-winded SesquipedalianLoquaciousness speech, Philosophers and intellectuals found it refreshing to see in a film, and the speech still stands as one of the most literate to grace mainstream cinema.
** A lot of people find the Merovingian annoying and this clearly the intent of the filmmakers, but there are even more who like him for sheer virtue of having a more vibrant personality compared to the main cast and some genuinely funny moments.

* HilariousInHindsight: The comparison between Neo and Superman become this now that [[WesternAnimation/TheLEGOBatmanMovie Agent Smith is a prisoner in the Phantom Zone]]. Also, Creator/LaurenceFishburne and Creator/HarryLennix were both in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse.

** Neo vs. the Smiths teeters between this and NarmCharm. On one hand the fight scene is largely considered to be genuinely well done. On the other hand; seeing a half dozen Hugo Weavings getting kicked around, resulting in reinforcements being called in again, and again, and again until there's a crowd of Smiths can elicit laughter. The Smiths' almost dejected look when Neo flies away adds to it.

** Leigh Wannell, who wrote and co-starred in ''Film/SawI'' the following year, is one of the crewmembers of the ''Vigilant'' in ''Reloaded'' [[spoiler:who dies in the bridge accident before they can alert the ship of the impending Sentinel bomb attack.]]
** Also Link, who went on to play Michael on ''Series/{{Lost}}''. Guess he has a thing for [[OntologicalMystery ontological mysteries]].

* SignatureScene: The Chateau fight, where Neo takes on six of the Merovingian's mooks singlehandedly. With over 26 million views on [=YouTube=] at the time of writing, it is probably one of the most well-known scenes from the franchise, let alone from ''Reloaded''. The kickass music helps too.

*** Not only did the filmmakers and studio tout it as a breakthrough, they claimed you couldn't tell when it was CGI, despite it being extremely obvious. The frequent slow motion made it painfully apparent on first viewing. Sure, the Matrix is a "simulation", but they could have shown an Atari 2600 rendering by that reasoning. The great thing about BulletTime was how ultra-real it looked, because it was real.

* MemeticMutation: "This is the [Nth] time we have [X], and we have become exceedingly efficient at it.". The Architect's [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness oblique speech patterns]] in general are something of a meme, with any reference to the character involving "Vis-a-vis", "ergo", "concurrently".

** Ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience, there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the representation and social messages were actually ahead of their time. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which became widely discussed topics at the dawn of TheNewTwenties. It is generally agreed that criticism against ''Reloaded'' has always been grounded in transphobia and the post-9/11 backlash against intellectualism.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Most of the hovercraft captains and crews given how they were KilledOffscreen. They were fairly interesting given their brief screen-tie and could have at least warranted a scene of their final battle (although that might have been more than the budget allowed for). It doesn't take much effort to hope that HesJustHiding for some of them.

* MemeticMutation: "This is the [Nth] time we have [X], and we have become exceedingly efficient at it."

** A lot of people find the Merovingian annoying and this clearly the intent of the filmmakers, but there are even more who like him for sheer virtue of having a more vibrant personality [[DullSurprise compared to the main cast]], some genuinely funny moments, and he only expounds his personal world view rather than [[FauxlosophicNarration everyone else's failed attempts at sounding deep]].

** Persephone is also well-liked for calling the Merovingian on his bullshit and, well, for being played by [[MsFanservice Monica Bellucci in a low-cut dress]].

** Ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience, there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the representation and social messages were actually ahead of their time. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which are widely discussed topics today. It is generally agreed that criticism against ''Reloaded'' has always been grounded in transphobia and the post-9/11 backlash against intellectualism.

* TakeThatScrappy: After the Merovingian gets done with some lengthy FauxlosophicNarration and Persephone says, "I'm so sick of his bullshit. On and on...", it's hard to imagine that at least some of the audience wasn't thinking, "You can say that again, honey."

** While the film was well-received by fans and critics during its initial release, and was financially successful enough that it held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film at the box office at the time, both critical and fan opinion soured after the release of ''[[Film/TheMatrixRevolutions Revolutions]],'' and the general perception of the franchise tanked. By later in TheNewTens and especially with the impending release of ''Film/TheMatrixResurrections'', opinions began to come around on ''Reloaded'', appreciating the film for its heady ideas and subversive narrative in contrast to the relatively simplistic crowd-pleasing reputations of modern blockbusters.
** However, ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience (as well as the experience of being in any marginalised group), there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the series' approach to its representation and social messages were actually ahead of their time, making much more intuitive sense in 2020 than they did in 2000. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which are widely discussed topics today. As it stands today, many ague that criticism against ''Reloaded'' has always been grounded in post-9/11 transphobia and bigotry.

** The Architect was seen by some fans as a perfect description of the creator of the Matrix or some describe him as just an underwritten character. While most casual film-goers hated his long-winded SesquipedalianLoquaciousness speech, Philosophers and intellectuals found it refreshing to see in a film (the ones who didn't deride it as everything wrong with post-modernism in one speech, anyway).

** The Architect's often mocked HannibalLecture due to his hilariously forced SesquipedalianLoquaciousness -- in particular, his tour of all the words that can convey the concept of "therefore" -- certainly counts. And some thought he looked like [[UsefulNotes/KentuckyFriedChicken Colonel Sanders]]. However, many people over the age of about 70 loved the feature.

** While the film was well-received by fans and critics during its initial release, and was financially successful enough that it held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film at the box office (until it was dethroned a year later by ''Film/ThePassionOfTheChrist'' and in 2016 by ''Film/{{Deadpool|2016}}''), both critical and fan opinion soured after the release of ''[[Film/TheMatrixRevolutions Revolutions]],'' and the general perception today is that both films are pretentious and bloated. Although ''Reloaded'' is still considered the better of the two by a fair margin.
** However, ever since the Wachowskis came out as trans and confirmed that the Matrix is meant to be a parable for the trans experience (as well as the experience of being in any marginalised group), there are large sections of the internet which have begun re-evaluating the Matrix sequels on those metrics and finding that the series' approach to its representation and social messages were actually ahead of their time, making much more intuitive sense in 2020 than they did in 2000. Among other things: it touches on the idea that [[TheManIsStickingItToTheMan performative rebellion can be co-opted to reinforce unjust power structures]], on the idea that "freedom" is dictated by the necessity for survival just as much by active oppression, and on the idea that "liberation" depends just as much on individual freedom of thought as on collective rebellion--all of which are widely discussed topics today.

* SoOkayItsAverage: The general consensus of the film.

** Leigh Wannell, who wrote and co-starred in ''Film/SawI'' the following year, is one of the operators of the ''Vigilant'' in ''Reloaded'' [[spoiler:who dies in the bridge accident before they can alert the ship of the impending Sentinel bomb attack.]]

* SignatureScene: The Chateau fight, where Neo takes on six of the Merovingian's mooks singlehandedly. With over 26 million views on YouTube at the time of writing, it is probably one of the most well-known scenes from the franchise, let alone from ''Reloaded''. The kickass music helps too.