This is one of those movies you just ride along with for the entertainment value. Unfortunately the last half hour devolves, literally, into a real groaner.
It begins with a predictable plot (you'll not only make the bad guys within 10 minutes, but you'll experience déjà vu throughout--yes, you *have* seen this before) and continues with lackluster performances and direction.
And what's with this "Faster than a speeding bullet, leaps tall buildings in a single bound " business? The Superman gig made sense in The Matrix. Here it's just silly. And exactly why does Matiko take off all her clothes (including her dopey glasses) to drop a bug, yet *keep* her handbag?
Throughout the final battle scene I found myself repeatedly groaning aloud. So were the combatants, and perhaps for the same reason. Couldn't have been physical pain, since Snipes already dug a scalpel an inch into his shoulder with nary a flicker--didn't even stop chatting. Clearly it wasn't effort either. But the final corridor scene simply has to be seen to be believed-a lifeless, blue clone of Matrix. I felt cheated when they faced each other (prone on the floor of course) and forgot to say "You're out." "You are too."
The last half hour also bores us with a series of pointless and confusing flashbacks and Matiko idiotically stumbling around the UN building for a *long* time. And let's not forget the labored, gratuitous gore and soft porn throughout.
This movie is just box office fodder and not even tasty at that. I give this movie a 5 for the first three quarters and a 1 for the last=4.
It begins with a predictable plot (you'll not only make the bad guys within 10 minutes, but you'll experience déjà vu throughout--yes, you *have* seen this before) and continues with lackluster performances and direction.
And what's with this "Faster than a speeding bullet, leaps tall buildings in a single bound " business? The Superman gig made sense in The Matrix. Here it's just silly. And exactly why does Matiko take off all her clothes (including her dopey glasses) to drop a bug, yet *keep* her handbag?
Throughout the final battle scene I found myself repeatedly groaning aloud. So were the combatants, and perhaps for the same reason. Couldn't have been physical pain, since Snipes already dug a scalpel an inch into his shoulder with nary a flicker--didn't even stop chatting. Clearly it wasn't effort either. But the final corridor scene simply has to be seen to be believed-a lifeless, blue clone of Matrix. I felt cheated when they faced each other (prone on the floor of course) and forgot to say "You're out." "You are too."
The last half hour also bores us with a series of pointless and confusing flashbacks and Matiko idiotically stumbling around the UN building for a *long* time. And let's not forget the labored, gratuitous gore and soft porn throughout.
This movie is just box office fodder and not even tasty at that. I give this movie a 5 for the first three quarters and a 1 for the last=4.