‘The Matrix Reloaded’ is a real blast

“The Matrix Reloaded,” stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, Laurence Fishburne

as Morpheus and Barrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. The film also stars Hugo

Weaving, Jada Pinkett Smith and Gloria Foster. The film is written

and directed by The Wachowski Brothers and produced by Joel Silver.

In the second chapter of the Matrix trilogy, Neo assumes greater

command of his extraordinary powers as Zion falls under siege to the

Machine Army. Only a matter of hours separates the last human enclave

on earth from 250,000 Sentinels programmed to destroy mankind. But

the citizens of Zion, emboldened by Morpheus’s conviction that the

One will fulfill the Oracle’s prophecy and end the war with the

Machines, rest all manner of hope and expectation on Neo, who finds

himself stalled by disturbing visions as he searches for a course of

action.

Filled with visual stimulation “Matrix” entertains while giving

you a migraine. The Wachowski Brothers’ continue their mythic story

populated by characters who inexplicably rely on hand to hand combat,

even when weapons clearly are more effective, and who sport

sunglasses, even in darkness, which never fall off.

Amid all the non-stop action, the characters again question

reality and the power of choice as well as the symbiotic relationship

between man and machine. Who is really in control? “The Matrix

Reloaded” is a noisy yet stimulating diversion from our own reality,

with adequate performances by all.

The production was affected by death. An airplane crash took the

life of singer Aaliyah, who had filmed a few scenes as a new

character called Zee. She was replaced by another singer Nona Gaye,

daughter of Marvin. Gloria Foster, who played the Oracle in the

original, died of diabetes complications during filming. She had

almost completed her scenes in the sequel but had done nothing for

the third film, “Matrix Revolutions.”

A collective groan was released by the audience as the movie’s

cliffhanger ending revealed the words “...to be continued” at the

conclusion of the film. Dedicated fans of the film will be rewarded

with a preview of the third installment, “The Matrix Revolutions,” if

they can suffer the blaring thrash music that screams during the

seemingly endless roll of end credits.

Go ahead and get a load of “The Matrix Reloaded,” but take your

Tylenol with you.

* RAY BUFFER, 33, is a professional singer, actor and voice-over

artist.

‘Winged Migration’ a visual masterpiece

Let me get this out of the way first -- “Winged Migration” is a

documentary about migrating birds. If you are still interested after

knowing this, perhaps you will treat yourself by seeing one of the

best films of the year.

“Winged Migration” is an absolutely stunning film containing

perhaps the most breathtaking footage of flying birds ever shot. More

than four years in the making, the filmmakers used ultra light

aircraft, remote control planes, gliders, hot air balloons,

helicopters and other apparatuses to track several species of birds

over the course of their annual migration. The journeys cover

hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles. The Arctic Tern is the

endurance champ in this group migrating 12,500 miles from Antarctica

to the Arctic Circle each year.

The theaters are full of movies with multimillion-dollar budgets

that utilize the complete arsenal of special effects. As impressive

as these films can sometimes be, the enjoyment is tempered somewhat

by the realization that what you are seeing is not “real.” One of the

remarkable aspects of “Winged Migration” is the images on screen are

replicated as they exist in nature. No special effects, animation, or

computer-generated imagery were used in its production. The result is

the sensation of flying right beside these beautiful creatures

complete with the calls of the birds and the sound of their flapping

wings.

Television is rife with animal documentaries. Discovery Channel,

Animal Planet, Learning Channel and other similar resources are

bundled with basic cable for most households. Each one offers

well-executed and informative animal documentaries. “Winged

Migration” is not a learning experience in the traditional sense as

there is very little narration. The film is all about imagery and

reminds the viewer that “movie” is short for moving picture. “Winged

Migration” is one of the best uses of the medium ever seen. Each

sequence is more beautiful than the last and one leaves the theater

thoroughly enthralled but wishing for more.

Although rated “G,” “Winged Migration” might be disturbing for

very young children due to some hunting scenes and wounded birds in

distress. Also, some scenes appear to be staged and cutaway shots

between the birds and such occurrences as avalanches may not be

actually connected. Overall these minor quibbles do not detract from

one’s enjoyment.

With all the hype surrounding the current crop of blockbusters,

this film is not even on most moviegoer’s radar. Despite being

nominated for a best documentary Academy Award, “Winged Migration” is

not in wide release and has to be sought out. Only four theaters in

Southern California are currently showing this film. Luckily, one of

them is Edward’s South Coast Village Three in Costa Mesa. I don’t

normally “shill” for movie theaters, but I feel this film should be

seen. I urge you to forgo the seasonal “spectaculars” and spend an

evening reveling in one of nature’s grand spectacles.

* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach.