Summer movie madness! But did these big releases meet expectations?

“The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Hulk” were two widely anticipated summer releases. “The Hulk’s” gross box-office sales were more than $130 million and “The Matrix Reloaded” grossed more than $270 million. A certain obvious question begs to be asked. Were they worth your hard-earned money?

Communication professor Laura Vazquez said “The Hulk” is “trying to do something bigger than the comic-book motif sustains. I feel that the long narrative sequences and the slow editing brought the action to a grinding halt.”

Vazquez also said “The Matrix Reloaded” was “incredibly disappointing. I liked the first one. I wasn’t interested in the characters. I expected a lot more movement.”

Vazquez said this summer’s films were unoriginal and most of them were not successful.

“It was Hollywood’s attempt to capitalize on a hit,” she said. “It often doesn’t work.”

Jeffrey Chown, director of graduate studies and communication professor, also had similar feelings about “The Matrix Reloaded.”

“I felt as though I was watching a video game,” Chown said. “No characters advanced in any way, and they weren’t compelling to me.”

Other summer movies also were not up to par for Chown.

“‘Terminator 3′ was boring and redundant,” Chown said. “I wouldn’t even go to ‘Tomb Raider 2′.”

Hollywood’s conservative mentality seemed to be responsible for the critically denounced, big budget, box-office smashes.

Take “The Banger Sisters,” for example, Chown said, referring to the 2002 drama/comedy.

“Interesting premise,” he said. “But since it was packaged for the ego of the stars, it won’t take any chances.”