The Ultimate Matrix Collection (10 Disc Box Set) [2003] DVD ~ Keanu Reeves
£27.97
|
Animatrix: The Complete DVD and CD Album Collection [2003] DVD ~ Carrie-Anne Moss
£25.99
|
The Matrix [1999] DVD ~ Keanu Reeves
£2.97
|
Matrix Trilogy 3-Disc Set: The Matrix, Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions [1999] DVD ~ Keanu Reeves
£13.98
|
Matrix Revolutions [2003] DVD ~ Mary Alice
£3.97
|
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? (We'll ask you to sign in so we can get back to you)
|
The first and most impressive is the Final Flight of the Osiris (from the director of Final Fantasy). In a breathtaking computer-generated short that would have worked well as a pre-title sequence for the second film, the crew of the ill-fated Osiris discover the sentinel army and the machines drilling towards Zion. This most filmic of the offerings guides fans into the more individualistic animated styles of the subsequent features.
The second and third instalments, The Second Renaissance, Parts 1 & 2, turn the tables on the man vs. machines battle by telling the story of the emergence of artificial intelligence and the ensuing (mostly human instigated) carnage leading up to the subjugation of the human race. The remaining features are: Kid's Story (directed by anime supreme Shinichiro Watanabe), which introduces us to the Kid, who also features in Reloaded; Program and World Record, written by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, better known for schlock horror anime Vampire Hunter B; Beyond, which tells what happens when ordinary people discover bugs in the system; A Detective Story, a homage to film noir as PI Ash is hired to track Trinity; and the distinctly psychedelic Matriculated.
The standard of animation is high throughout, even where the storylines are confused (and in one or two cases little more than conceptual). This is a fascinating collection of shorts that will appeal to Matrix and anime fans alike, as well as shedding light on some of the more obtuse plot machinations of Reloaded.
On the DVD: The Animatrix is primarily a visual offering, so it's good to see that this anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 video transfer is near-perfect, with CGI extravaganza signature short The Final Flight of the Osiris being about as stunning as is possible on a small screen. Extras are plentiful: the commentaries for The Second Renaissance Parts 1 & 2 are in Japanese with English subtitles; there are two more commentaries, for Program and World Record. There are also some features, including one on the history of anime and seven on the individual films in the series; the best of the latter is the featurette for Osiris, which goes into detail on the CGI and contains a "square celebrity death match" sequence of a modified Aki (from the Final Fantasy film) battling a sentinel. --Kristen Bowditch
Special Features
"Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime" documentary
Seven featurettes with director profiles, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of each of the films
Four audio commentaries
"Enter the Matrix" videogame trailer
Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio
Widescreen 16x9 2.35:1
Languages: English, Japanese
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
See all Reviews
The Matrix Trilogy : Matrix / Matrix Reloaded / Matrix Revolutions (3 Disc Box Set) [1999] DVD ~ Keanu Reeves
£12.97
|
Matrix Revolutions [2003] DVD ~ Mary Alice
£3.97
|
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2 Disc Set) [2001] DVD ~ Ming-Na
£5.98
|
The Matrix [1999] DVD ~ Keanu Reeves
£2.97
|
The Matrix Reloaded [2003] DVD ~ Ray Anthony (III)
£7.97
|