The Matrix Reloaded

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

When the Matrix introduced us to bullet time, bending spoons and horn sounds over green telephone lines, everybody was startled, amazed and thrilled at the same time. The movie became an absolute phenomenon and we just couldn't wait until the sequel and (later in the year) final chapter of the trilogy continued the roller coaster. But now, it has been unleashed and The Matrix Reloaded does have a little less brilliance in script as the first but two of the most amazing scenes in history to showcase for (inevitably the fight with the thousands Smith's and naturally the freeway chase scene). However, to wait for the music of Don Davis wasn't so awaited as the movie itself, since Don made a terrific effort in reinventing the futuristic science fiction score (which he succeeded in) but it was a score that captivated some, was considered normal to less thematic by others. The Matrix nonetheless as a score was capturing some moments that we couldn't live without today in the following Matrix films. The horn sounds that will open each film, leading us into the wires are some of the most effective use of tones ever in cinema history and some amazing choral phrases were spotted in giving the movie more extra scope. What Davis adds for the movie is a whole lot more of choral phrases while ideas of the first reappear. However directors Andy and Larry Wachowsky made the decision in adding several techno groups to the mix, becoming a very enjoyable if underused orchestral effort that both adds the dimension of futuristic adrenaline as orchestral complexity to the mix.

The score opens as expected with the famous horns, flowing through a series of wires with some terrific horn and string movements, the pace surrounding these movements are thrilling to create such a futuristic feel. The feel continues in 'Trinity Dream' which has two old ideas returning, together with the horn motif, it has got the magical string theme (appearing at the end of the first film when Neo stops the bullets) before the majestic choral theme (for the pods sequence when Neo awakes inside the real world) is scored orchestrally with brass. This track however is great because of its pace and rhythm. While the short Chinese percussion in 'Teahouse' does nothing, 'Chateau' opens the first techno feel of the game with James Bond or Matrix like background score, it is enjoyable and the mix works but its still repeating ideas for 3 minutes. The brilliant and long highway scene is underscored with the same techno ideas if for Davis to insert much of his orchestral ideas into the mix, 'Mona Lisa Overdrive' has a returning techno theme along with short flashes of cool choir in a 10 minute packer. It doesn't sound action or fast paced like but the score works during the scene, even though you just glaze at the brilliant special effects and don't notice much of the score (didn't even hear those choral moments in the film). The best two tracks are however the last ones, with 'Burly Brawl' underscoring the Smith's fight sequence with a hell of a pace and again a low techno theme. However this theme is almost unmemorable and simple since the real treasure is here Davis' own complex rhythm with some excellent signs of choir through it, at the end though it becomes a bit too loud for my liking.

Considering that Davis barely received attention on the disc (especially alone), the producers (and probably Davis too) decided to unleash a 17 minute suite of ideas all mixed together flawlessly since probably they were too short to release all by themselves. This track has the best of Davis' own compositions into as what can be entitled the ultimate Matrix mix. The 'Matrix Reloaded Suite' offers some of the best choral display since Behind Enemy Lines, some action ideas with the whirling brass, some more softer moments and as said the great ending of some excellent choral writing over a bombastic finale, with the theme for Trinity unleashed completely at the end. Whether this will satisfy true Davis lovers is a different matter. The first score barely ran for half an hour and the second delivers a little more, even though now the score of Davis alone runs for 20 minutes or so. The additional techno score (often supported by Davis) is enjoyable and effective but as said lies a little in the simplistic side and needs Davis' score to add the complexity to the ideas that a movie like The Matrix requires. The album was released as a double CD soundtrack featuring on disc 1 the songs while on disc 2 the score. I neglected to insert the songs since they are discovered on a different CD and experienced the score separately, and as said as a score The Matrix Reloaded fully works, is enjoyable from head to toe and more, shows that Davis expanded on the ideas and injected some terrific new ones for the third film to expand on itself. So, I have to say that the score just like the film expanded in scope and effect.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (1.30)

2. Trinity Dream (1.56)

3. Teahouse *** (1.04)

4. Chateau ** (3.23)

5. Mona Lisa Overdrive * (10.08)

6. Burly Brawl * (5.52)

7. Matrix Reloaded Suite (17.35) Excellent Track

* Composed by Juno Reactor & Don Davis

** Composed by Rob Dougan

*** Composed by Juno Reactor featuring Gocoo

Total Length: 41.33

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Don Davis ===