The Ultimate Matrix Collection (The Matrix / The Matrix Reloaded / The Matrix Revolutions / The Animatrix)
by Andrew R. Jones, Andy Wachowski, Josh Oreck, Kôji Morimoto, Lana Wachowski
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Actor: Carrie-Anne Moss, Gloria Foster, Hugo Weaving, Keanu Reeves, Laurence FishburneDirector: Andrew R. Jones, Andy Wachowski, Josh Oreck, Kôji Morimoto, Lana Wachowski
Brand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 618 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-12-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Ultimate Matrix Collection (The Matrix / The Matrix Reloaded / The Matrix Revolutions / The Animatrix)
DVD Review: One person's opinion on the Matrix Trilogy
Summary: 4 Stars
**Warning: Spoilers ahead**
I bought this Matrix collection back in December of last year. I've watched this collection and thoroughly enjoyed it. So you must be asking yourself, why did I bother writing a review so late after I got this collection? Well, very recently I was watching the entire Matrix Trilogy (as well as several episodes of the Animatrix) in one sitting with a large group of people. After the movies were done with, we broke out into discussion about these movies, specifically as to whether the quality of the movies dropped dramatically after the first movie. Most of the people at this viewing chastised Reloaded and Revolutions, while one lone voice tried to defend these movies. Guess who the lone voice was (I'll give you three guesses). As such, this review is meant primarily as a rebuttal to the various comments I heard about the Matrix Trilogy, as well as my thoughts on the Matrix movies themselves.
First off, let me just say that the following review will primarily consist of a discussion on the Matrix movies themselves, and not the many documentaries that are packaged with this collection. Second, I want to focus on a discussion of the Matrix Trilogy as a whole, and as such I'll say something about all three movies, but Reloaded and Revolutions in particular. Lastly, I realize that different people have different opinions, and everybody is entitled to there own opinions. I only want to present the reasons why I enjoyed all three movies so hopefully you will understand why I think the Matrix Trilogy is good.
Notice how in the last sentence I said "good", not "great". I am going to admit something right now...yes, I will agree with almost everybody who has seen all three movies that the Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions were not as good as the first Matrix. HOWEVER, where I disagree with many people is how far the "quality" dropped after the first Matrix. Some people have even gone as far to say that Reloaded and Revolutions (especially Revolutions) are the worst movies of all time. Please. I've seen the worst movie of all time, and it's called Starship Troopers 2.
When I saw the first Matrix in the theatres so many years ago, I was completely blown away. Not only did it have some of the best action sequences and choreographed fights ever put on film, but it had an intriguing discussion on the nature of reality, and what it means to be human. On the other hand the Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions did not have as much philosophizing, but instead focused more on action. I think that is one of the reasons why people disliked Reloaded and Revolutions, i.e. many people felt that these two movies focused too much on "mindless action." I would argue though that if Reloaded and Revolutions talked more about "what is reality?" like in the first movie, people would get board pretty easily because that idea was already discussed at long length in the first Matrix. In any case the directors needed to move along with the Trilogy's plot.
Ah yes...plot. What is "plot"? Apparently, to the detractors of Reloaded and Revloutions, these two movies had no plot. To them I ask...are you blind, or did you just not bother paying attention? The last human city, Zion, is just hours away from total destruction and there doesn't seem to be a way to stop the Machines. Neo has visions of Trinity's death and has to find a way to save her. Is everything Neo doing predestined, or does he have control over his own destiny? How can Neo stop Agent Smith when he's able to create so many copies of himself? Those are just some of the plotlines in these movies that apparently don't exist. As a counterpoint, let us consider the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (which, in my opinion, are some of the best movies of all time). On the surface, the plot of these three movies appears razor thin, i.e. it's simply all about trying to destroy a powerful ring. But if you look deeper you'll find stories of hope, betrayal, courage, greed, and love. The same applies to the Matrix Trilogy. On the surface, all it seems to be about is Neo trying to stop the Machines, but if you look past that you'll find so much more.
With Reloaded and Revolutions, the Wachowski brothers upped the ante with what could be done with special effects. The fact is I am not a person who thinks special effects can make a movie on their own, but you would have to really hate science-fiction movies to not be at least somewhat enthralled with the action in these movies. Seeing Neo fight dozens of Agent Smiths all on his own in the Matrix Reloaded, and kicking their asses all over the place, was both weird and exciting at the same time. When the forces of Zion had to defend the city against a massive Machine invasion force in the Matrix Revolutions, I was on the edge of my seat! I don't understand how anyone could think that seeing people in giant, gun-toting robot suits, blasting away at hundreds of Machine sentinels was not cool. Yes I know, storyline (which the Trilogy has in spades) is far more important than computer generated effects, but these effects are some of the most groundbreaking ever produced.
To be honest, looking back I think that one of the primary reasons that people disliked Reloaded and Revolutions was because of their expectations. After people were blown away by the first Matrix, everybody was expecting the Wachowski brothers to make movies that would cause our heads to explode in the theatres from their sheer greatness. When that did not happen people became disappointed, even to the level of outrage in some cases. Reloaded and Revolutions were different in terms of plot and tone than the first Matrix, which many viewers did not like. Now, this is not to excuse the fact that Reloaded and Revolutions were not and good as the first Matrix, because they weren't. But our expectations of a movie can definitely have an impact on how we perceive it.
In the end, the Matrix Trilogy is not going to receive the same reverence as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and the original Star Wars Trilogy. However, I think it should deserve remembrance for the opening our eyes as to the potential of science-fiction. The first Matrix movie is arguably one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, and the Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions are good movies in their own right. Even when I get older, I will still fondly remember all three Matrix movies. If you have never seen the Matrix Trilogy, I urge you to at least see the first one. If you have time, go see Reloaded and Revolutions with an open mind, and I think you will come away pretty satisfied.
My rating on the Matrix Trilogy as a whole: 8/10.
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Description of The Ultimate Matrix Collection (The Matrix / The Matrix Reloaded / The Matrix Revolutions / The Animatrix)
The definitive ten-disc DVD set, The Ultimate Matrix Collection features all three films in the trilogy together for the first time ever with a newly remastered picture and sound for The Matrix. Also included is the companion piece The Matrix Revisited and the best-selling The Animatrix, plus five entirely new DVDs packed solid with brand-new supplemental materials that encompass every aspect of the Matrix universe, including two new audio commentaries on each film, Enter the Matrix video game footage, 106 deep-delving featurettes/ documentaries and much more!DVD Features:
Additional Scenes:Filmed for Enter the Matrix video game
Audio Commentary:The Philosophers: Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber; The Critics: Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
DVD ROM Features
Documentary
Easter Eggs
Featurette
Introduction:by the Wachowski Brothers
Music Video
Photo gallery
Storyboards
TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer
The Matrix
By following up their debut thriller Bound with the 1999 box-office smash The Matrix, the codirecting Wachowski brothers--Andy and Larry--annihilated any suggestion of a sophomore jinx, crafting one of the most exhilarating sci-fi/action movies of the 1990s. Set in the not too distant future in an insipid, characterless city, we find a young man named Neo (Keanu Reeves). A software techie by day and a computer hacker by night, he sits alone at home by his monitor, waiting for a sign, a signal--from what or whom he doesn't know--until one night, a mysterious woman named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) seeks him out and introduces him to that faceless character he has been waiting for: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). A messiah of sorts, Morpheus presents Neo with the truth about his world by shedding light on the dark secrets that have troubled him for so long: "You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad." Ultimately, Morpheus illustrates to Neo what the Matrix is--a reality beyond reality that controls all of their lives, in a way that Neo can barely comprehend.
Neo thus embarks on an adventure that is both terrifying and enthralling. Pitted against an enemy that transcends human concepts of evil, Morpheus and his team must train Neo to believe that he is the chosen champion of their fight. With mind-boggling, technically innovative special effects and a thought-provoking script that owes a debt of inspiration to the legacy of cyberpunk fiction, this is much more than an out-and-out action yarn; it's a thinking man's journey into the realm of futuristic fantasy, a dreamscape full of eye candy that will satisfy sci-fi, kung fu, action, and adventure fans alike. Although the film is headlined by Reeves and Fishburne--who both turn in fine performances--much of the fun and excitement should be attributed to Moss, who flawlessly mixes vulnerability with immense strength, making other contemporary female heroines look timid by comparison. And if we were going to cast a vote for most dastardly movie villain of 1999, it would have to go to Hugo Weaving, who plays the feckless, semipsychotic Agent Smith with panache and edginess. As the film's box-office profits soared, the Wachowski brothers announced that The Matrix is merely the first chapter in a cinematically dazzling franchise--a chapter that is arguably superior to the other sci-fi smash of 1999 (you know... the one starring Jar Jar Binks). --Jeremy Storey
The Matrix Reloaded
Considering the lofty expectations that preceded it, The Matrix Reloaded triumphs where most sequels fail. It would be impossible to match the fresh audacity that made The Matrix a global phenomenon in 1999, but in continuing the exploits of rebellious Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) as they struggle to save the human sanctuary of Zion from invading machines, the codirecting Wachowski brothers have their priorities well in order. They offer the obligatory bigger and better highlights (including the impressive "Burly Brawl" and freeway chase sequences) while remaining focused on cleverly plotting the middle of a brain-teasing trilogy that ends with The Matrix Revolutions. The metaphysical underpinnings can be dismissed or scrutinized, and choosing the latter course (this is, after all, an epic about choice and free will) leads to astonishing repercussions that made Reloaded an explosive hit with critics and hardcore fans alike. As the centerpiece of a multimedia franchise, this dynamic sequel ends with a cliffhanger that virtually guarantees a mind-blowing conclusion. --Jeff Shannon
The Matrix Revolutions
Despite the inevitable law of diminishing returns, The Matrix Revolutions is quite satisfying as an adrenalized action epic, marking yet another milestone in the exponential evolution of computer-generated special effects. That may not be enough to satisfy hardcore Matrix fans who turned the Wachowski Brothers' hacker mythology into a quasi-religious pop-cultural phenomenon, but there's no denying that the trilogy goes out with a cosmic bang instead of the whimper that many expected. Picking up precisely where The Matrix Reloaded left off, this 130-minute finale finds Neo (Keanu Reeves) at a virtual junction, defending the besieged human enclave of Zion by confronting the attacking machines on their home turf, while humans combat swarms of tentacled mechanical sentinels as Zion's fate lies in the balance. It all amounts to a blaze of CGI glory, devoid of all but the shallowest emotions, and so full of metaphysical hokum that the trilogy's detractors can gloat with I-told-you-so sarcasm. And yet, Revolutions still succeeds as a slick, exciting hybrid of cinema and video game, operating by its own internal logic with enough forward momentum to make the whole trilogy seem like a thrilling, magnificent dream. -- Jeff Shannon
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