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From Amazon.co.uk
The Wachowski Brothers' The Matrix took the well-worn science fiction idea of virtual reality, added supercharged Hollywood gloss and a striking visual style and stole The Phantom Menace's thunder as the must-see movie of the summer of 1999. Laced with Star Wars-like Eastern mysticism, and featuring thrilling martial arts action choreographed by Hong Kong action director Yuen Woo Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), The Matrix restored Keanu Reeves to genre stardom following virtual reality dud Johnny Mnemonic (1995), and made a star of Carrie-Anne Moss, who followed this with the challenging perception twister Memento (2000). Helping the film stand out from rivals Dark City (1998) and The Thirteenth Floor (1999) was the introduction of the celebrated "bullet time" visual effects, though otherwise the war-against-the-machines story, hard-hitting style and kinetic set-pieces such as the corporate lobby shoot-out lean heavily on Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Elsewhere the influence of John Woo, from the ultra-cool near real-world SF of Face/Off (1997) to the raincoats and sunglasses look of bullet-ballet A Better Tomorrow, is clearly in evidence. The set-up isn't without its absurdities, though--quite why super-intelligent machines bother to use humans as batteries instead of something more docile like cows, for example, is never explained, nor is how they expect these living batteries to produce more energy than it takes to maintain them. The Matrix is nevertheless exhilarating high-octane entertainment, although as the first part of a trilogy it perhaps inevitably doesn't have a proper ending.
On the DVD: the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is virtually flawless, exhibiting only the grain present in the theatrical print, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is demonstration quality, showing off the high-impact sound effects and Don Davis' fine score to great effect. Special features are "data files" on the main stars, producer and director and "Follow the White Rabbit", which if selected while viewing the movie offers behind the scenes footage. This is interesting, but gimmicky, requires switching back from widescreen to 4:3 each time, and would be better if it could be accessed directly from one menu. There is also a standard 25-minute TV promo film which is as superficial as these things usually are. --Gary S Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Flawless/Superbly Detailed Image and Excellent Extras for this Ground-Breaking Sci-Fi Classic
5 Dec 2009
By Mr. Laurence Williams
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
[I've added a photo to the item page showing the back of the Blu-ray box which details the disc specification and content. I have written Amazon reviews for the Blu-ray disc of each film in the trilogy...]
'The Matrix' is the first film in a trilogy written, directed and produced by the Wachowski brothers. Although dating from the 1990s, it will continue to stand as a benchmark for the use of special-effects in films for many years to come....
It is arguably THE series of films which should be watched first on any new Hi-Definition video format to fully appreciate it and the film; Blu-ray is no exception to this 'rule' and I can confirm that it is simply astounding to watch (and listen to !) in this format. The remaining films are 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' and you can buy all 3 films in a Blu-ray boxset; Amazon links below for product and my review :
The Matrix Reloaded [Blu-ray] [2003]
Matrix Revolutions [Blu-ray] [2003]
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The Matrix/Matrix Reloaded/Matrix Revolutions [Blu-ray] [1999]
The film is notable for including imagery produced using a special filming process to digitally enhance the simulation of variable speed. Although 'The Matrix' was not the first film to use the technology, it did so in such a way that it essentially pushed the process into mainstream film-making; so much so that it was quickly given the registered trademark of 'Bullet Time' by Warner Bros (the film studio which financed the film).... Read more ›
'The Matrix' is the first film in a trilogy written, directed and produced by the Wachowski brothers. Although dating from the 1990s, it will continue to stand as a benchmark for the use of special-effects in films for many years to come....
It is arguably THE series of films which should be watched first on any new Hi-Definition video format to fully appreciate it and the film; Blu-ray is no exception to this 'rule' and I can confirm that it is simply astounding to watch (and listen to !) in this format. The remaining films are 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' and you can buy all 3 films in a Blu-ray boxset; Amazon links below for product and my review :
The Matrix Reloaded [Blu-ray] [2003]
Matrix Revolutions [Blu-ray] [2003]
-
The Matrix/Matrix Reloaded/Matrix Revolutions [Blu-ray] [1999]
The film is notable for including imagery produced using a special filming process to digitally enhance the simulation of variable speed. Although 'The Matrix' was not the first film to use the technology, it did so in such a way that it essentially pushed the process into mainstream film-making; so much so that it was quickly given the registered trademark of 'Bullet Time' by Warner Bros (the film studio which financed the film).... Read more ›
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
SF Movies have suffered from a lack of style in recent years. There's only so many times you can see Bladerunner or Alien ripped off cheaply before you start to get jaded. And it doesn't help that they keep casting muscular dolts with the intellect of a plank in violent revenge fantasies that do little more than ape the "Death Wish" movies.
So it's three cheers for The Matrix, the film that restored my faith in SF movies.
It starts with a bang, a chase across rooftops with some spectacular leaps that make you realise that wherever you are, it's not the world you live in.
Or is it?
Neo (or is that Neophyte?) is a programmer by day in a faceless corporation, and a hacker by night, searching for Morpheus, a shadowy figure who may hold the key to Neo's longings for a different world. Morpheus on the other hand is looking for a Saviour, someone who will come and lead the oppressed masses to a new Utopia.
Soon their paths cross, and Neo is shown the real world, a world that is not all he thought it to be. In this world everything is run by "The Matrix", a super computer that controls everything and everybody, body and soul. (Or, as the Oracle so succinctly puts it, "Balls to Bones")
Neo is removed from the system's influence, and is told he is "The One", the long-prophesised saviour who can remake the Matrix to his own will. He is trained in how to fight the Matrix defense programs (or "Agents".....software that takes the guise of super-powerful humans and can take control of anybody still hooked up to the Matrix)
To accomplish this he is given a crash course in martial arts in a manner that would be great if it were possible today (I can imagine the ads - "Learn Kung-Fu in thirty seconds....no philosophising necessary!") .
... Read more ›4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Someone once asked me how I could watch The Matrix so many times and why I haven't got bored of it.
She couldn't understand, mainly because she has only seen about 3 min of the film but my answer was "It'll never bore me because everytime you watch it you learn or notice something new". That is it.
The Matrix is such a delicious movie that leaves you wanting more and more and the more you get the more you love it. I have probably seen the film about 20 times since watching it for the first time last May. The special effects are mind blowing (and in my opinion better that Reloaded and Revolutions), the story is unforgetable, the outfits are cool as ice, and the music rocks (I've also got the soundtrack).
My fave character has to be Trinity because she is so independant and single minded. She is also so bloody lucky to snog Keanu.
They can make as many sequels as they want but nothing can compare to The Matrix chapter 1. It is The One movie.
She couldn't understand, mainly because she has only seen about 3 min of the film but my answer was "It'll never bore me because everytime you watch it you learn or notice something new". That is it.
The Matrix is such a delicious movie that leaves you wanting more and more and the more you get the more you love it. I have probably seen the film about 20 times since watching it for the first time last May. The special effects are mind blowing (and in my opinion better that Reloaded and Revolutions), the story is unforgetable, the outfits are cool as ice, and the music rocks (I've also got the soundtrack).
My fave character has to be Trinity because she is so independant and single minded. She is also so bloody lucky to snog Keanu.
They can make as many sequels as they want but nothing can compare to The Matrix chapter 1. It is The One movie.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
It was often said that Star Wars set the benchmark for Special FX...that is no longer true. The Matrix will spawn a hundred inferior copycat films and (hopefully) 2 sequels of it's own. This is intelligent use of Special FX in a mind-blowing and stunningly original way rather the "for the sake of it" SFX. Fittingly this film swept the board in the technical awards at the Oscars sending George Lucas home without a prize for a Star Wars film for the first time. Not a fan of either Keanu or kung-Fu I missed this at the cinema and now bitterly regret it. The highest compliment I usually pay Reeves is that I can forget he was in a film - in the Matrix he is a positive assett. Surrounded by a very good cast - the always excellent Laurence Fishburne and Joe Pantaliano are ably assisted by the equally good but lesser known Carrie Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving as the main bad guy. You will believe that these guys spent 4 months learning Kung Fu (as we are told in the making of featurette) and when this is combined with the bullet-time special fx Kung Fu will NEVER be done better. If you like comics this is your comics brought to life. If you like action this is the best action film of the last century. If you like sci-fi it don't get much better. The Matrix on DVD is an example of what all DVD's should be but most aren't. It is packed with special features, with menu's introduced by clips and music from the film. For PC/DVD users the links to the website are (todate) still current and are worth checking out. Do not miss this. As I said in my one line summary this film blows it's summer 99 competitor out of the water. It used to be that I anticipated the new Star Wars films more than anything else.... Read more ›
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
One MAJOR flaw
This movie is great, based on a classic philosophical concept, the "brain-in-a-vat" theory.
However there is one major flaw that at times makes this movie incredibly... Read more
However there is one major flaw that at times makes this movie incredibly... Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Watson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray version is tinted green - beware.
Obviously The Matrix is a fantastic film, but this version of the film is not strictly the original - it is the version from the DVD boxed set that was released a few years ago,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. L. J. O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
This completes my set of the Matrix films,it's along time since I enjoyed films as much as these, they are a must see
Published 3 months ago by BetrayedX2
4.0 out of 5 stars
Know Thyself
A good adaptation of Plato's allegory of the cave, only let down at times by some wooden or corny acting. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Xiradakis
1.0 out of 5 stars
Most overrated film in history
I found this film highly annoying when it first came out - ridiculous 'hanging from a string' looking fight scenes in clumsy slow motion - and it must look even worse now... Read more
Published 3 months ago by buckbyter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow..
I'm not a big fan of action movies but I love the matrix movies.
I don't see how some people cant like the matrix movies there really good.
10/10 !!
I don't see how some people cant like the matrix movies there really good.
10/10 !!
Published 4 months ago by tylerlouise
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Matrix DVD
The DVD was a good price and it had a good plot. It was a film that made you think.
Published 4 months ago by Steph
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flashy Flick (Cliches Abound)
Interesting first hour gives way to the awakening of world-saving 'messiah' and gun-worshipping finale without much irony or humour which can save this kind of thing. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mario
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Film
I like this film but for me personally i have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it! When i do watch it however, it is a great film!
Published 5 months ago by T Willbourn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why?!
Why did no one tell me this film was actually so good?! XD. I saw it for the first time after I bought it in the Blu ray sale thinking that it would never live up to all the hype... Read more
Published 5 months ago by B.R.G
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