Editing The Matrix Reloaded (section)

==Reception==
===Box office===
''The Matrix Reloaded'' earned an estimated $5 million during Wednesday night previews in the United States and Canada. It grossed $37.5 million on its Thursday opening day from 3,603 theaters, which was the second-highest opening day after ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]''{{'}}s $39.4 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105312617241241200|title='Matrix Reloaded' Sales Hit $37.5 Million on 1st Day|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=May 17, 2003 |access-date=November 19, 2022|archive-date=November 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119214253/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105312617241241200|url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned $91.7 million during its opening weekend and $134.3 million in its first four days, including the previews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2003&wknd=20&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office Results for May 16-18, 2003 - Box Office Mojo|website=Boxofficemojo.com|access-date=October 8, 2017|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008232359/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2003&wknd=20&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This made it not only the second-highest opening weekend of all time, but also the biggest opening weekend for any [[Warner Bros.]] film, beating ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-19-et-horn19-story.html|title='Matrix' sequel is big but no match for 'Spider-Man'|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 19, 2003|access-date=April 6, 2022|archive-date=April 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406152204/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-19-et-horn19-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For six years, the film would hold the record for having the largest number of screenings for an R-rated film until the opening of ''[[Watchmen (2009 film)|Watchmen]]'' in March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/watchmen-gets-biggest-r-rated-rollout/|title=Watchmen Gets Biggest R-Rated Rollout!|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=June 21, 2022|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602094904/https://movieweb.com/watchmen-gets-biggest-r-rated-rollout/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Matrix Reloaded'' also surpassed ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' to have the highest Thursday opening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1031013380/|title='Matrix' Loads Massive Opening Day|first=Brandon|last=Gray|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=April 6, 2022|archive-date=April 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406152904/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1031013380/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BreaksRecords">{{cite magazine|last=Karger|first=Dave|title=''Matrix Reloaded'' breaks box office records|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/05/16/matrix-reloaded-breaks-box-office-records/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 1, 2022|date=May 16, 2003|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203174543/https://ew.com/article/2003/05/16/matrix-reloaded-breaks-box-office-records/|url-status=live}}</ref> It would hold this record for two years until it was taken by ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1824 |title='Sith' Destroys Single Day Record |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=May 20, 2005 |access-date=August 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216151031/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1824 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the film had the highest opening weekend for an R-rated film, overturning the previous record held by ''[[Hannibal (2001 film)|Hannibal]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108202603/reloaded-sets-r-rated-record/ |title='Reloaded' sets R-rated record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107214658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108202603/reloaded-sets-r-rated-record/ |date=May 19, 2003 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |page=1 |publisher=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="BreaksRecords" /> With a total gross of $146.9 million, ''The Matrix Reloaded'' held the record for having the biggest six-day opening until 2004, when it was surpassed by ''[[Spider-Man 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/06/movies/spider-man-gives-the-summer-one-of-its-few-box-office-hits.html|title='Spider-Man' Gives the Summer One of Its Few Box Office Hits|date=July 6, 2004|first=Sharon|last=Waxman|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326065712/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/06/movies/spider-man-gives-the-summer-one-of-its-few-box-office-hits.html|archive-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>

In its second weekend, it would be overtaken by ''[[Bruce Almighty]]'', earning a 4-day [[Memorial Day]] weekend gross of $45.6 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-bruce-almighty-topples-ma/160482358/ |title='Bruce Almighty' topples 'Matrix Reloaded' at weekend box office
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207195023/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-bruce-almighty-topples-ma/160482358/ |date=May 27, 2003 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |page=36 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[Tulsa World]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Then, ''The Matrix Reloaded'' collected $15.6 million for its third weekend, ranking fourth behind the latter film, ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' and ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |title='Nemo' sinks 'Bruce' at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403180509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |date=June 2, 2003 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |page=26 |work=The Associated Press |publisher=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The opening weekend represented roughly 60% of that weekend's box-office tally, but some box-office prognosticators noted it fell short of lofty expectations set by some in the industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-10-07 |title=The Weekend Report - by Leonard Klady |url=http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/klady/2003/030518.html |access-date=2022-02-13 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007003308/http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/klady/2003/030518.html |archive-date=7 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Overall, the film would maintain the highest May opening weekend for Warner Bros. until it was beaten by ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]'' a decade later in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/godzilla-breathes-93-million-atomic-heat-at-box-office/|title='Godzilla' Breathes $93 Million Atomic Heat at Box Office|date=May 18, 2014 }}</ref> ''The Matrix Reloaded'' and ''Finding Nemo'' both teamed up with ''Bruce Almighty'', ''X2'' and ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl]]'' to become the first five films to make $200 million at the box office in a single summer season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Analysis: Hollywood's hot summer |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=2 September 2003 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301174947/https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was also the fourth R-rated film to cross that mark, just after ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]'', ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' and ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-13-fi-matrix13-story.html|title='Matrix' Reloaded and Set to Shatter Records|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 13, 2003|access-date=June 21, 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220031952/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/may/13/business/fi-matrix13|url-status=live}}</ref> It would remain as the year's top-grossing film until ''Finding Nemo'' overtook it in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2003/07/t3-terminates-competition-nemo-beats-neo/|title=T3 Terminates Competition, Nemo Beats Neo|date=July 7, 2003|access-date=November 11, 2022|archive-date=November 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111234329/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2003/07/t3-terminates-competition-nemo-beats-neo/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Internationally, ''The Matrix Reloaded'' opened in 13 territories, including Australia and France, and grossed $37.5 million in its first week.<ref name="intl1">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title='Matrix' does brisk biz in 13 territories|first=Michaela|last=Boland|page=16|date=May 26, 2003}}</ref> It expanded to most international territories (62) the following weekend, except Japan and India, and became the first movie to earn more than $100 million outside the U.S. in one weekend, taking its overseas total to $176 million and worldwide total to $385 million.<ref name="intl1" /><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title='Reloaded' crosses global $100 mil mark|first=Michaela|last=Boland|page=14|date=June 2, 2003}}</ref> Grossing over $113.2 million, the film scored the highest international opening weekend, breaking the previous record held by ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/matrix-reloaded-passes-100m-abroad-in-record-time/4013641.article|title=Matrix Reloaded passes $100m abroad in record time|access-date=March 23, 2022|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321010254/https://www.screendaily.com/matrix-reloaded-passes-100m-abroad-in-record-time/4013641.article|url-status=live}}</ref> In Japan, it had the biggest opening of any film in the country, earning $18 million and smashing the previous record held by ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 9, 2003 |title=Matrix breaks Japanese record |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2975050.stm |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418213654/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2975050.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also the country's highest-grossing R-rated film until ''[[The Last Samurai]]'' surpassed it in early 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/the-last-samurai-smashes-through-250m-barrier/4017220.article|title=The Last Samurai smashes through $250m barrier}}</ref> There were other opening records in Russia and South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/the-matrix-reloaded-passes-international-100m-mark-in-record-time/4013639.article|title=The Matrix Reloaded passes international $100m mark in record time|access-date=April 18, 2022|archive-date=April 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418213105/https://www.screendaily.com/the-matrix-reloaded-passes-international-100m-mark-in-record-time/4013639.article|url-status=live}}</ref> The Japan and South Korea opening records were both given to ''[[Spider-Man 3]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/spider-man-shatters-records-with-375m-global-opening/4032220.article|title=Spider-Man shatters records with $375m global opening|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319221933/https://www.screendaily.com/spider-man-shatters-records-with-375m-global-opening/4032220.article|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the film topped the box office for four weeks until it was overtaken by ''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/2-fast-two-french-ride-into-uk-cinemas/4013975.article|title=2 Fast, two French ride into UK cinemas|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=November 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117205254/https://www.screendaily.com/2-fast-two-french-ride-into-uk-cinemas/4013975.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film ultimately grossed $281.6 million in the US, and $739.4 million worldwide, becoming the [[2003 in film#Highest-grossing films|third-highest-grossing film of 2003]], after ''Finding Nemo'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''.<ref name="GenreHistory" /> It would have the highest domestic gross for an R-rated film until it was taken by ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' the next year.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Karger|first=Dave|title=''The Passion'' raises another $31.7 million|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/03/13/passion-raises-another-317-million/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 20, 2022|date=March 13, 2004|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524165241/https://ew.com/article/2004/03/13/passion-raises-another-317-million/|url-status=live}}</ref> For over a decade, ''The Matrix Reloaded'' held the record for being the highest-grossing R-rated film worldwide before ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'' took it 13 years later.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Coggan|first=Devan|title='Deadpool': Highest-grossing R-rated movie ever|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/03/29/deadpool-box-office-highest-grossing-r-rated-movie/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 20, 2022|date=March 29, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528172431/https://ew.com/article/2016/03/29/deadpool-box-office-highest-grossing-r-rated-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film sold an estimated 46,695,900 tickets in North America.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 13, 2016|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=matrixreloaded.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|title=The Matrix Reloaded (2003)|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817072717/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=matrixreloaded.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Following re-releases, the worldwide gross of the film is $741.8 million.<ref name="BOM" />

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 74% based on 246 reviews, and an average score of 6.80/10. The site's critical consensus states: "Though its heady themes are a departure from its predecessor, ''The Matrix Reloaded'' is a worthy sequel packed with popcorn-friendly thrills."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/matrix_reloaded |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' (2003) |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712172810/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/matrix_reloaded |url-status=live }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted average]] score 62 out of 100 based on 40 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-matrix-reloaded |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=July 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917020208/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-matrix-reloaded |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, a grade down from the "A−" earned by the previous film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com/|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Matrix" in the search box|publisher=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Positive comments from critics included commendation for the quality and intensity of its action sequences,<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |date=May 7, 2003 |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117920694&categoryid=31&cs=1 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430154655/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117920694&categoryid=31&cs=1 |archive-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> and its intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/movies/article/Matrix-fans-can-t-afford-to-miss-Reloaded-1114604.php |title='Matrix' fans can't afford to miss 'Reloaded' |newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=May 14, 2003 |first=William |last=Arnold |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021191536/http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/movies/article/Matrix-fans-can-t-afford-to-miss-Reloaded-1114604.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Tony Toscano of Talking Pictures had high praise for the film, saying that "its character development and writing...is so crisp it crackles on the screen" and that "''Matrix Reloaded'' re-establishes the genre and even raises the bar a notch or two" above the first film, ''The Matrix''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1122457/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=3&rid=1140415 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310233205/http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1122457/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=3&rid=1140415 | archive-date=March 10, 2007| title=The Matrix Reloaded (2003) movie review |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=May 20, 2003 |first=Tony |last=Toscano |access-date=July 12, 2007}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' also commended the film, giving it three and a half stars out of four. He described it as "an immensely skillful sci-fi adventure, combining the usual elements: heroes and villains, special effects and stunts, chases and explosions, romance and oratory" and praised the fact that "it develops its world with more detail than the first movie was able to afford, gives us our first glimpse of the underground human city of Zion, burrows closer to the heart of the secret of the Matrix, and promotes its hero, Neo, from confused draftee to a Christ figure in training." He also compared the choreography of the "Burly Brawl" fight to that of [[Yuen Woo-ping]] in the 2000 film ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'', and called the scene "one of the three great set pieces in the movie" (along with Morpheus' announcement to the people of Zion and the freeway chase).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-matrix-reloaded-2003 |title=The Matrix Reloaded movie review (2003) |website=RogerEbert.com |date=May 14, 2003 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |access-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411153547/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-matrix-reloaded-2003 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Negative comments included the sentiment that the plot was alienating,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030519-450996,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305172252/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030519-450996,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 5, 2005 | title=The Matrix Reboots |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]|date=May 11, 2003 |first=Richard |last=Schickel |access-date=July 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://ae.miami.com/entertainment/ui/miami/movie.html?id=95606&reviewId=12076 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030812071056/http://ae.miami.com/entertainment/ui/miami/movie.html?id=95606&reviewId=12076 | archive-date=August 12, 2003| title=Sequelitis infects 'Matrix Reloaded' with talk - lots of it |newspaper=[[Miamiherald.com]] |date=May 14, 2003 |first=Rene |last=Rodriguez |access-date=July 12, 2007}}</ref> with some critics regarding the focus on the action as a detriment to the film's human elements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0516/p15s02-almo.html |title=Ready for a Neo world order? |website=[[csmonitor.com]] |date=May 16, 2003 |first=David |last=Sterritt |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-date=June 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612030409/http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0516/p15s02-almo.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-matrix-reloaded-1798198595 |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' review |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=May 13, 2003 |first=Nathan |last=Rabin |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215041210/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-matrix-reloaded,5628/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some critics thought that the number of scenes with [[Exposition (narrative)|expository dialogue]] worked against the film,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/v279420/review |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' review |website=[[AllMovie]] |first=Skyler |last=Miller |access-date=July 9, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814150612/http://www.allmovie.com/movie/v279420/review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2003-05-16/the-matrix-reloaded/ |title=''The Matrix Reloaded'' review |newspaper=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |first=Marc |last=Savlov |date=May 16, 2003 |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817003944/http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2003-05-16/the-matrix-reloaded/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the many unresolved subplots, as well as the [[cliffhanger]] ending, were also criticized.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-030514-moviesreviewmatrixreloadedmc,0,1704389.story?coll=mmx-movies_top_heds | title=Movie review: 'The Matrix Reloaded' |website=[[Metromix]] |date=June 11, 2003 |first=Mark |last=Caro |access-date=July 12, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071230193732/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-030514-moviesreviewmatrixreloadedmc,0,1704389.story?coll=mmx-movies_top_heds <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 30, 2007}}</ref> Other criticisms included the film's perceived lack of pacing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/05/15/Film-of-the-Week-Matrix-Reloaded/74341053012588/ |title=Film of the Week: 'Matrix Reloaded' |first=Steve |last=Sailer |author-link=Steve Sailer |website=[[United Press International|UPI]] |date=May 15, 2003 |access-date=October 6, 2015 |quote=It has only two speeds: you either get leaden philosophizing about free will or super-colossal action set pieces. It's like "[[My Dinner with Andre]] on the [[Hindenburg disaster newsreel footage|Hindenburg]]." |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006233718/http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/05/15/Film-of-the-Week-Matrix-Reloaded/74341053012588/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named it as one of "The 25 Worst Sequels Ever Made".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/5804864.html | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | title=The 25 Worst Sequels Ever Made | first=Chris | last=Nashawaty | date=December 22, 2007 | access-date=July 9, 2016 | archive-date=April 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422003632/http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/5804864.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Marc Salov of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' gave it a two-and-a-half out of five rating, saying, "There's only so much [[Rubik's Cubism]] a film can handle, and ''Reloaded'' is awash in sci-fi and religious overtones that continually bog down the film's forward motion."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2003-05-16/the-matrix-reloaded/|title=The Matrix Reloaded - Movie Review|last=Savlov|first=Marc|newspaper=[[The Austin Chronicle]]|date=May 16, 2003|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209220421/https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2003-05-16/the-matrix-reloaded/|archive-date=December 9, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Mike Clark of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film three and a four stars and said, "Salvaged by its rally, ''Reloaded'' seems less tired than ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'', its current sequel rival."<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Clark (critic) |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-13-matrix-review_x.htm |title=Visuals save the day for 'Matrix' |work=USA Today |date=May 13, 2003 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |archive-date=June 3, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030603220039/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-13-matrix-review_x.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Relax, the staging of the action sequences is as viciously elegant as you've been primed to expect, though there is a dispiriting more-of-the-same aspect to the picture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/14/movies/film-review-an-idealized-world-and-a-troubled-hero.html|title=FILM REVIEW; An Idealized World And a Troubled Hero|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 14, 2003 }}</ref> In a mixed review, [[Joe Morgenstern]] of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' said, "In this second installment of the trilogy, lithe bodies endowed with superior brains do all sorts of spectacular things, but the movie has the dead soul of a video game."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10535202255462100|title='The Matrix' Finally Reloads, But Its Aim Isn't Always True|work=Wall Street Journal |date=May 21, 2003 |last1=Morgenstern |first1=Joe }}</ref>

===Awards===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The Matrix franchise}}

===Censorship===
The film was initially banned in [[Egypt]] because of the violent content and because it put into question issues about human creation, "which are related to the three divine religions."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2980432.stm |title=Egypt bans 'too religious' Matrix |work=BBC News |date=June 11, 2003 |access-date=2016-08-21 |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030052859/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2980432.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>