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 , which is to be released in late 2003. — Mark Deming
