The thing about "The Matrix" is that it snuck up on people. Yes, it was masterfully promoted, but it was still a low-ish budget action film that was released in March and took in a modest $27+ million in its opening. It just became a phenomenon, winning Oscars and changing cinema (in tiny ways) and stuff. The sequel was produced on an insanely high budget, clocked in at an abusive 138 minutes (only two minutes longer than the first, but... boy that's a long two minutes) and made absolutely no sense. Seriously, try showing "The Matrix Reloaded" to somebody who hasn't see "The Matrix." They may never watch another movie ever again. And go back now and watch the vaunted freeway chase that got all of the publicity back in 2003. It goes on forever and becomes thuddingly monotonous almost immediately. Want to talk about poisoning the franchise waters? "Matrix Reloaded" opened at $91 million and made it over $281 million, but when "The Matrix Revolutions" came out six months later, it opened under $49 million and topped out at $139 million domestic. Fans were NOT happy.

-Dan Fienberg