Sentinel soldiers, 250,000 metal shredding machines, will soon attack Zion¾ the subterranean city inhabited by humans¾ intent on destroying mankind once and for all. In between the philosophy, religion, mathematics, mythology and other matters of the mind, about every 10-15 minutes there is unstoppable action in "The Matrix Reloaded." Like "The Matrix," this too can be viewed on multiple levels.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) are passionate lovers who are not afraid to fight the machines and the shape shifting "agents" who want to exterminate the human species. Neo’s nemesis is the ever present Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), who gets lots of tag time on-screen in "Reloaded." As the film opens, Trinity is on the attack and when she must retreat, she crashes through a skyscraper window, guns blasting and pursued mid-air by an agent as they plunge. As a bullet hits her in the chest, Neo wakes from a nightmare, in bed with Trinity, and we wonder if he is foreseeing what could happen or what will? Is reality a dream?

Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) is a battleship captain and Neo, Trinity, and Kain (Harold Perrineau Jr) are his crew. He is a long time foe of Captain Lock (Harry J. Lennix), partly because they both care for Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith). Morpheus and Lock disagree on the strategy to win the war with the Sentinels. Although Lock believes that every ship should stay in port to fight the battle, Morpheus convinces the governmental counsel to let him negotiate with Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) for peace.

That fails, but Merovingian’s jealous lover Persephone (Monica Bellucci) helps Morpheus and crew to rescue the one person who literally holds the key to long awaited answers. And Neo realizes the wisdom of the Oracle’s (the late Gloria Foster) admonition; there is always a choice and we know what we will choose before we are challenged. The grand battle is destiny, the film ends with a black screen and the words "to be concluded" (on November 5).

Keanu Reeves as Neo has the gaunt, determined look of a warrior and seeker, with the right bit of perplexity when confronted with a new found truth. Laurence Fishburne gives voice and substance to Morpheus, often referred to in myth as ushering in sleep but here he is sent to wake people up.

It is a pleasant surprise to see so many African-American actors in a film that will give them a nice payday. It appears the filmmakers are in touch with the reality of the true complexion of our planet. The population of the city of Zion is decidedly people of color. The movie also breaks ground because of the large number of black actors with speaking roles that are race neutral. Jada Pinkett Smith is a leader with plenty of smarts. Harold Perrineau Jr. is the battleship’s operator at the control panel. Harry J. Lennix commands the fleet. The late Gloria Foster is the wise Oracle. Randall Duk Kim is the keymaker. And there are several familiar faces among black actors in smaller supporting roles.

The costumes and gear apparel in "Reloaded" are on target¾ just the right amount of grunge. Cavernous, dim interiors mark the city of Zion. When we are inside the Matrix, the artificial world, it is bright, even lavish, filled with fine wine and steak dinners.

Mixed with the Shakespearean oratory by Morpheus, New Age philosophy and metaphysics, there is plenty of action. At times the action becomes repetitive and some scenes go on a bit too long. But if kung fu fighting is what you’re there for you’ll be mighty pleased. Fantasy and science fiction give us a world apart to inhabit for a time. But consistency is important when writers and filmmakers are creating those worlds. SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT: I want one of those cars Trinity drives during the freeway chase. Wreckage piles up around her, as other cars are left undriveable. This is no specially outfitted car (as in a James Bond romp), yet she races on, car body full of bullet holes but barely a dent or crunch as agents pounce on the hood.

Those looking at the deeper meaning of "The Matrix Reloaded" will find clues all around. The obvious ones, like the city of Zion, with its white lighted control center, Trinity, Morpheus’s ship, the Nebuchadnezzar, and the Oracle reach out to you. Consider also Neo, meaning new and having the same three letters as the word one. Is he the ‘new one?’ Is Neo a combination of human and machine? Does he represent the symbiotic relationship between the two? Just observe how many of us are ‘plugged in’ with communication headsets seemingly permanently attached as we walk and drive. Keanu’s coat is indeed cool and in it he bears a striking, and we believe intentional, resemblance to a priest.

What we see is amazing but morphing, CGI, slo-mo airborne kick boxing and seeing how bullets invade and do damage to a body is now routine; the special effects don’t have the stunning impact that some are expecting. With "X2" and "The Matrix Reloaded," summer has officially arrived!