10 Critical Flops That Deserve More Praise
1. The Matrix Reloaded Obviously, Im not going to say its better than the original because plainly, it isnt. The original Matrix was ground-breaking, with a thought-provoking premise and great action sequences to pad this out. The follow-up, The Matrix Reloaded, was welcomed with slightly less fanfare. There were a plethora of negative reactions, ranging from the simple meh of indifference to the full-on horror screaming forth from the fingers of keyboard warriors. It was bashed for numerous reasons; relying too heavily on action, possessing an unfathomable plot and most notably the Architect scene. Though its clumsily handled, I would argue that the end twist is actually a very good one. While the scenes with the incomprehensible Colonel Sanders look-a-like are impenetrable at first, if you re-watch it (as you should with all good films) the fast-talking one actually instigates a very philosophically clever rug-pull. His revelation that Zion and The One are actually part of the Matrix plan insofar as they represent solutions to a problem (how to deal with the minority who wont accept the programming) not only makes you question everything thats happened thus far (like good twists do) but comes completely out of nowhere (like great twists do). It forces you to re-evaluate Neo, Zion and reality itself in a much grander scope; are these humans aware of the real year? Do they know theyre technically doomed? Do they know their hopes, dreams and prophecies are all just part of the machines pre-determined plan? These are all interesting questions. This existentially troubling reveal is complimented well by a series of great action sequences. The Burly Brawl and the fight in the Merovingians chateau excellently convey just how god-like Neo has become, and the scene where a katana-wielding Morpheus duels the ghosting Twins smacks of innovation and imagination. This is all capped off by the absolutely brilliant freeway chase scene. While its essentially just an extremely long set-piece, Carrie Ann-Moss desperate escape on the back of a motorcycle must go down as one of the most ambitious and electrifying sequences committed to celluloid; epic in scope, seamlessly well planned and utterly thrilling to watch. With the smooth transition from set-piece to set-piece, the stakes and scope are ever-increasing what starts out as a simple chase scene soon morphs into a duel atop a moving truck, and eventually culminates with explosions such a process can only be admired. Can a film featuring something so insanely ambitious that they had to actually build a freeway to shoot it really be considered as a bad film? Truly, I dont think so. So while Matrix Revolutions is widely derided for dropping the ball (seriously, what the hell happened to all the kung fu?), we shouldnt attach the same stigma of failure to Reloaded. Its everything you hoped a sequel to The Matrix would be a hugely ambitious action film for the thinking man. It expands the mythos, keeps the trippy philosophical implications and adds a truckload of action. What else could you have wanted? Agree or (violently) disagree? As always, feel free to comment.