The Animatrix
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Movie Reviews of The Animatrix
Movie Review: To an artificial mind all reality is virtual.
Summary: 5 Stars
Animatrix is a welcome twist in the Matrix series. Those of us who are the true fans of Matrix world will find this series of episodes to be a creative elaboration on the concept of the Matrix universe. It could also be a device used by Warchovski's to keep our hunger to see Matrix Revolutions at bay.While some episodes are free standing, Kid's Story and Final Flight of Osiris are intimately linked to the events of the Matrix: Reloaded. Those of us who loved the Matrix have to admit; the idea of machines creating an artificial reality is a great one. Warchowski's were not the first ones to come up with the idea of dream skepticism but their execution of it makes for a fascinating concept.
The idea of the Matrix is filled with mystery, danger, fear, and much of unknown and unexplored.
The use of the animation was a great idea to address some of the plot holes of the Matrix series as well as to create more entertainment for those of us who want to see Matrix without Keanu Revees. What makes Animatrix a good DVD is that it incorporates nine wholly different stories and styles of presentation. While some will dislike particular episode or episodes most of us will walk away with at least one element or a story as profoundly touching. In other words, you might not like all, but at least something here.
Two episodes in the Animatrix are especially worthy of note. They are Matriculated and Program. Even though both of these episodes do not seem to appeal to general liking they are particularly profound and entertaining. Matriculated is very abstract piece and unlike some other episodes its message is not spoon feed directly to the audience. The visual imagery was stunning and memorable and was intended to make us come up with our own interpretations of what seemed bizarre. Perhaps Matriculated yields a hint at what will happen in Matrix Revolutions.
Movie Review: To an artificial mind all reality is virtual.
Summary: 5 Stars
Animatrix is a welcome twist in the Matrix universe. Those of us who are the true fans of Matrix world will find this series of episodes to be a creative elaboration on the concept of the Matrix. It could also be a device used by Warchovski's to keep our hunger to see Matrix Revolutions at bay.While some episodes are free standing, Kid's Story and Final Flight of Osiris are intimately linked to the events of the Matrix: Reloaded. Those of us who loved the Matrix have to admit; the idea of machines creating an artificial reality is a great one. Warchowski's were not the first ones to come up with the idea of dream skepticism but their execution of it makes for a fascinating concept. The idea of the Matrix is filled with mystery, danger, fear, and much of unknown and unexplored.
The use of the animation was a great idea to address some of the plot holes of the Matrix series as well as to create more entertainment for those of us who want to see Matrix without Keanu Revees. What makes Animatrix a good DVD is that it incorporates nine wholly different stories and styles of presentation. While some will dislike particular episode or episodes most of us will walk away with at least one element or a story as profoundly touching. In other words, you might not like all, but at least something here.
There are two particular episodes I found especially exciting. They are Matriculated and Program. Even though both of these episodes do not seem to appeal to general liking I find them particularly profound. Matriculated is very abstract piece and unlike some other episodes its message is not spoon feed directly to the audience. The visual imagery was stunning and memorable and was intended to make us come up with our own interpretations of what seemed bizarre. Perhaps Matriculated yields a hint at what will happen in Matrix Revolutions, I can't wait.
Movie Review: A Different Way to Explore the World of "The Matrix"
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading some reviews it seems that fans of the Matrix either loved the Animatrix or hated it. If you're expecting these short animes to resemble anything like the Matrix then perhaps its not for you. But if you have an open mind to explore different visions and perspectives of the Matrix then you're in for a real treat.This project after all was the brainchild of the brothers Wachowski who presented several of the original stories to be animated and who had the final say in which stories made the final cut. What I do like is that they allowed these top-notch anime producers to have lots of freedom is the way the stories were expressed and some of the producers created the most original stories of their own. Fans of Ninja Scroll, Aeon Flux, Neon Genesis, Cowboy Bebop will not be dissapointed with this collection. It is a wonderful way to sample works from anime producers with vastly different styles and original storytelling.
"Final Flight of the Osiris" "Renaissance" and "Program" are to me the most true to the Matrix. For originality in stories my favorites are: Kid's Story, Beyond, World Record, and Matriculated. For animated sequences that had me in awe are World Record (highly stylized), and A Detective's Story (effectively done in black and white).
And don't miss the Director's interviews and commentaries. This was my favorite part of the DVD offering. These interviews add so much more depth to the animes as the each producer guides the viewer in his unique vision and development of the storyboards. To me its ironic that these masters of anime are so unanimated in the way they describe their work! Rather, their interviews are refreshingly humble and down-to-earth, so unlike their Western-counterparts.
This DVD has me seeking out other works from these master anime producers.
Movie Review: Amazing! Enjoyable! Fascinating!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Animatrix" is a collection of nine short films that tie into the Matrix trilogy and fill in the gaps that are not further explored in the movies.1) Final Flight of the Osiris- The story ties in "The Matrix Reloaded", which tells about how the machines are digging into Zion. My most favorite out of the nine short films and amazingly stunning to watch with incredible animation from Square USA Pictures.
2) The Second Renaissance Part 1 & 2- A two-part story of how the war between man and the machines began. Not my favorite to watch due to some disturbing images but a good film.
3) Kid's Story- The story tells about a kid who is being chased by Agents due to a message he received from Neo to enter the real world. Also one of my favorites and a good film to watch.
4) Program- The story about a girl in a training program who must make the choice between love and death. The most Japanese anime style film out of "The Animatrix" and also one of my favorite.
5) World Record- The story about a runner who discovers he's in the Matrix by making a world record. This film has a new style of anime and is somewhat confusing, but enjoyable to watch.
6) Beyond- The story about a girl who discovers a bug in the Martix. Fun to watch but not my favorite.
7) A Detective Story- The story about a detective who is assigned to find a hacker named Trinity. A little disappointing but the film has a cool style to it and great animation.
8) Matriculated- The story about how humans try to reprogram a machine and turn them on their side. The film has cool visuals and interesting animation. Although the ending isn't that great, the film is worth watching.
Overall, "The Animatrix" is good to buy. If you like Japanese anime, you'll like it. And if you love "The Matrix", you'll love this.
Movie Review: Much Better Than the Actual Movies
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me say straight out, I have never been a fan of the Matrix movies. What started out as an obvious ripoff of John Woo films and Ghost in the Shell was drawn out into an unnecessary trilogy for purely financial reasons. The Wachowski brothers are without a doubt two of the biggest hacks in Hollywood, just look at the failure of their Speed Racer adaptation. However, the idea of the Animatrix was genius; take the premise of the Matrix, strip away all the useless martial arts attempts at action scenes and focus on the truly interesting part of these films, the story. The centerpiece is without a doubt the finest; "The Second Renaissance". This two-part story tells the most interesting piece of drama, the back story, and the dark depths to which this chapter goes show the true destructive nature of humanity. If only the films had focused on the first war between humans and machines, we might not have had such horribly acted pretentious dribble. Several of the other shorts are excellent as well. "Final Flight of the Osiris" demonstrates Square's perfection for human CGI animation (second only to Pixar), while Peter Chung takes his hyper-intelligent mold of anime to the extreme in "Matriculated". What becomes clear to the viewer after time and repeated viewings, is these artists are infinitely more creative than the Wachowskis, who should have perhaps stayed as producers on the film trilogy, and handed over directorial control to someone more capable, and more competent.