Reloaded F/X Match Neo’s Power
Scifi.com — John Gaeta, visual effect supervisor on The Matrix Reloaded, told SCI FI Wire that the upcoming sequel contains more elaborate effects to match the development of Neo (Keanu Reeves).
Writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski “expanded and extended [them], because the character Neo … now self-actualizes into the true sense of a superhuman mind-over-Matrix,” Gaeta said in an interview.
Gaeta added, “He now is capable of doing things with his will. So we obviously needed to support depictions of events that were going to be far more elaborate than the first bullet time, because the character was now going to engage in ways that we’ve never seen.”
Among other things, the sequel shows Neo flying at breathtaking speeds throught the Matrix and fighting dozens of Agent Smiths (Hugo Weaving).
In each case, Gaeta said, “the special effects are serving the story, rather than [having] effects for the sake of effects.”
Other elaborate sequences include a 14-minute freeway chase involving trucks, a motorcycle, dozens of auto crashes and a truck-top sword fight.
When asked why preview audiences found themselves applauding certain sequences, Gaeta said, “They were probably brought to a peak of excitement, which is the whole point.”
The Matrix Reloaded opens May 15.
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