After creating an international sensation with the visually dazzling and intellectually challenging sci-fi blockbuster
The Matrix, the Wachowski brothers returned with the first of two projected sequels that pick up where the first film left off. Neo (
Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (
Carrie-Anne Moss) have been summoned by Morpheus (
Laurence Fishburne) to join him on a voyage to Zion, the last outpost of free human beings on Earth. Neo and Trinity's work together has been complicated by the fact the two are involved in a serious romantic relationship. Upon their arrival in Zion, Morpheus locks horns with rival Commander Lock (
Harry J. Lennix) and encounters his old flame Niobe (
Jada Pinkett Smith). Meanwhile, Agent Smith (
Hugo Weaving) has returned with some surprises for Neo, most notably the ability to replicate himself as many times as he pleases. Neo makes his way to The Oracle (
Gloria Foster), who informs him that if he wishes to save humankind, he must unlock "The Source," which means having to release The Key Maker (
Randall Duk Kim) from the clutches of Merovingian (
Lambert Wilson). While Merovingian refuses to cooperate, his wife, Persephone (
Monica Bellucci), angry at her husband's dalliances with other women, offers to help, but only in exchange for a taste of Neo's affections. With The Keymaker in tow, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus are chased by Merovingian's henchmen: a pair of deadly albino twins (
Neil Rayment and
Adrian Rayment). Filmed primarily in Australia and California (the extended chase scene was shot on a stretch of highway build specifically for the production outside of San Francisco),
The Matrix Reloaded was produced in tandem with the third film in the series,
The Matrix Revolutions. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide