Back To Index The Ultimate Matrix Collection
 Barnes & Noble Take a pinch of The Terminator, a dash of William Gibsons computer cowboy sensibility, add a healthy dollop of Hong Kong action cinema and the result is The Matrix, the most inventive science fiction flick to light up a movie screen in recent years. Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), a super-cool, philosophy-spouting rebel with psychic abilities, and his latex-sheathed female sidekick, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), turn disaffected computer wiz Neo (Keanu Reeves) into a kung fu-fighting warrior who goes head to head against the forces of evil deep in cyberspace. Even if some viewers get lost in the twisting storyline, the dazzling special effects and mind-blowing sets will keep most of them on the very edge of their seats. Kryssa SchemmerlingBarnes & NobleTake a trip back into The Matrix with this no-holds-barred, behind-the-scenes look at the modern classic that, like Star Wars before it, redefined the sci-fi/action genre for all time. From the grueling physical training of stunt-performing stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss to the revelatory footage, fans will find themselves even more deeply ensnared within The Matrix. In new interviews, directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, producer Joel Silver, and master choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) offer more details on the films origins and the development of its Oscar-winning special effects. And just when you thought it was over, the real gem comes: A special sneak peek at the top-secret sets of the upcoming sequels, plus a first look at the upcoming Matrix television anime project. The Matrix Revisited is also available in a package alongside the film itself. R.J. WaferBarnes & NobleAndy and Larry Wachowskis mind-bending science fiction noir gets animated in The Animatrix, a collection of nine Matrix-related anime shorts. Released in anticipation of the live-action sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, none of these self-contained stories are mere cartoons. Some of the finest animation talents from both the U.S. and Japan display their talents here, making for a distinct variety of visual styles. Still, expect the same thrilling excitement weve come to associate with the Matrix franchise -- and from anime in general. The nine films are as follows: "Final Flight of the Osiris" -- In this 3-D computer-animated piece, the crew of the hovercraft Osiris must get a message of vital importance back to Zion. That would seem easy to do, but theres an armada of Sentinels standing in the way. Andy Jones, an animation director on Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within directs the Wachowski brothers script. "The Second Renaissance" (Parts I and II) -- The genesis of the Matrix: The last cities of mankind, the war with the machines, and humanitys ultimate downfall. Its an epic guided tour of the Zion archives and Matrix lore. Blue Submarine No. 6s Mahiro Maeda directs another Wachowski script. "Kids Story" -- Sitting in his high school classroom, a kid gets a personalized invitation from Neo to escape the Matrix. But finding an exit proves more difficult than he ever imagined. Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) directs the Wachowskis final script of the series. "Program" -- In the simulated world of a samurai training program, a soldier of Zion is forced to choose between love and her comrades in the real world. Written and directed by Ninja Scrolls Yoshiaki Kawajiri. "World Record" -- Through an incredible combination of will power and physical strength, a world record-holding sprinter breaks out of the Matrix and gets an all-too-brief glimpse of the real world beyond. Takeshi Koike (Party 7) directs a script by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. "Beyond" -- In a quiet town where all is not as it seems, a girl finds a bug in the system: an abandoned mansion in which anything seems possible. Then the exterminators arrive to "de-bug." Written and directed by Koji Morimoto (Akira). "A Detective Story" -- A hard-boiled private investigator tracks cyber-criminal Trinity through the "looking glass." Written and directed by Shinichiro Watanabe. "Matriculated" -- A group of rebels capture a sentient robot and program it to act as an ally for their cause and prefer their "human Matrix" to machine reality. They succeed too well; the robots appetite for the "human Matrix" may exceed the humans ability to supply it. Written and directed by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux). Barnes & NobleKeanu Reeves is back as Neo, the erstwhile hacker and reluctant messiah, in this visually stunning sequel from the imaginative writing-producing-directing siblings Andy and Larry Wachowski. Once again, we are transported to the ersatz reality of the future, created and sustained by computers under the direction of a malevolent entity. In this second installment of the trilogy, the hidden city of Zion, home to all humans freed from the tyranny of the Matrix, is threatened by an army of probes a quarter million strong. Neo, working with his mentor, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), has just 72 hours to stave off the attack, and hes handicapped by the mental torture resulting from a recurring dream in which his beloved Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) meets a horrible death at the hands of the enemy. Having redefined sci-fi action with the first Matrix, the Wachowski brothers labor mightily to top themselves with several bravura sequences, including a vertigo-inducing scene in which Neo battles an army of dark-suited, sunglasses-wearing villains cloned from his nemesis, Agent Smith (played with wry insouciance by Hugo Weaving). But The Matrix Reloaded isnt just a collection of action scenes: The Wachowskis delve deeper into their mythology, making the film considerably more challenging to absorb. Reeves is, once again, properly enigmatic as Neo, while Moss gets an opportunity to exhibit the smoldering passion bubbling beneath Trintys surface. Monica Bellucci lends able support as, you guessed it, a temptress. Other welcome additions include Jada Pinkett Smith as a swift-kicking former lover of Morpheuss and Anthony Zerbe as a wise patriarch of Zion. The tremendous cult of Matrix fans has been more than satisfied by this visually sumptuous, intellectually stimulating sequel. Movie lovers eager for a few hours of eye-popping pyrotechnics wont be disappointed, either. Ed HulseBarnes & NobleThe final installment in the Matrix trilogy brings the saga to a rousing conclusion, pitting the remnants of humanity against the mechanical minions of the Merovingian in all-out war. Sibling directors Andy and Larry Wachowski, whose previous entries in the series helped redefine action-oriented sci-fi movies, throw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink into this eye-popping sequel. As in the previous Matrix movies, the seemingly incongruous blending of sophisticated special-effects sequences with the screenplays elliptical mysticism makes for a uniquely entertaining hybrid. All along we have been told that reluctant hero Neo (Keanu Reeves) is "The One," humanitys chosen savior, and he gets to prove it repeatedly. The climactic clash with his indefatigable adversary, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) looks like a live-action version of a comic-book battle, and its one the films many highlights. Also back again to fulfill their destinies are Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), whove been with Neo from the beginning of his struggles within the Matrix. Occasionally it appears as though the Wachowskis reach has exceeded their grasp: some of the supporting characters are insufficiently developed, and the presence of Italian sex siren Monica Bellucci amounts to barely a cameo. But Revolutions never stints on the action, which includes extensive battle sequences that rate among the best ever attempted. As the grand finale of an epic trilogy, the movie may not have the most rewarding ending, but the exciting impact of The Matrix -- both on movies and pop culture in general -- remains undeniable. Ed HulseBarnes & NobleCustomer ReviewsWrite your own online review >Number Of Reviews: 2 Average Rating: A reviewer, A reviewer, March 10, 2005 the matrix rules!!!!!!if you like action you will love these movies. the matrix trilogy is one of the best movies i have ever seen. i loved everything about all the movies. if you have not seen these movies you should.Also Recommended: animatrix, resident evil (both), irobot, catwomen, harry potter, outlaw star, cowboy bebop, star wars(all them), lord of the rings,A reviewer, A reviewer, December 23, 2004 THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME!Ten discs, are you serious? I bought this about a week ago, its amazing. Animatrix is great. I cant wait to watch the 35 HOURS OF EXTRAS! BUY THIS.Also Recommended: all the LOTRs, Napolean Dynamite, Real Genious Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! Looking For A DVD? - Check out dvd-a-rama.com! |
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