It had to be expected. The experience of number 2 is inferior and unless you're steeped in Matrix lore, you might have to stop yourself even nodding off at times.

The original Matrix started with a brilliant idea: the earth-shattering discovery by ace hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) that machines have enslaved us in a virtual world controlled by a sophisticated computer program or "matrix".

In Matrix Reloaded, the second in the trilogy (part three gets its release in November '03), the brilliant idea is no longer fresh and the dramatic possibilities - such as the discovery of thousands of living humans racked up like battery packs to power the evil machines - are not so easy to come by.

Writer-directors The Wachowski brothers do their upmost to take the story to the next level of excitement, which means even more eye-popping special effects and stunts and bucket-loads of style, but also a plot so thick it's getting boggy.

Although the story is not always clear, the gist of it is that killer machines are burrowing down to the subterranean city of Zion, a kind of Fritz-Lang-like metropolis, where thousands of survivors from around the world are holed up together.

As the machines close in, Neo, "the saviour", is diving back and forth into The Matrix. We learn that he must find "the source", apparently a mainframe computer, destroy The Matrix and liberate humankind from the tyranny of the machines. Meanwhile, Morpheus, who has unbending faith in Neo, is having disagreements with the Commander Lock over war strategies.

When not doing acrobatic high kicks or motoring about the sky like superman Neo does a lot of passing through portals and indulging in serious philosophical exposition with his friends on the meaning of fate, will, life, and, of course, The Matrix. We are meant to listen intently - after all, these guys are dressed in what looks like priest cassocks as well as the break-proof dark glasses - but the speeches are pretty long and leaden. It is hard not to stifle a yawn every now and again.

It takes a (French) bad guy, Lambert Wilson as the flamboyant and machiavellian Merovingian, to provide a welcome flourish of humour while his seductive wife, Monica Bellucci looks fabulous as Persephone. There's a nice catty scene between her and Trinity.

I also liked the encounter where the suited agent Mr Smith (Hugo Weaving) returns to do battle with Neo. Having died in part one, Mr Smith has developed the ability to clone himself again and again. In one protracted but entertaining sequence, Neo finds himself rumbling with a crowd of besuited, squeaky-shoed clones. Looks great, but don't ask why he stays and fights when he can fly off like superman.

For all the enjoyable visual tricks, the slomo bullets, choreographed fights, the huge motorway chase at the end with juggernauts being flipped into the air, the story drags. At times, it is incomprehensible. Maybe I was meant to do my homework first.