Matrix Ultimate Collection

There are many advantages to the Blu-ray high definition format. Of course the most obvious are the amazing improvement in video resolution and every aspect of the audio tracks. All this is possible because of the vast improvement of storage capacity possible by this media. While re-watching Blu-ray editions of films I already had in DVD another benefit became evident. Quantifying this enhancement is difficult but after many Saturday afternoons pursuing this investigation with my best friend the conclusion we reached was watching an established favorite on Blu-ray is like seeing the movie for the first time. The clarity of the video and depth of the audio has an affect that may be difficult to quantify but it is real and notable in many upgrades to high definition. The most recent case study to invoke this feel was the Blu-ray version of the much lauded Ultimate Matrix Collection. Like many fans of the franchise I already had the standard DVD release but when I received an opportunity to review the Blu-ray edition as part of a new marketing incentive I saw this as the perfect chance to really see what advantages high def can offer most notably in a set of films already famous for video and audio ingenuity. So, without the need for taking the red pill I ventured forth once again into the Matrix to experience it hopefully in an entirely new light. The result was I was definitely not disappointed. In fact it was very much like seeing it for the first time again. There were several problems reported with the initial Blu-ray mastering for the 2007 release but these have apparently been resolved for the current 2008 edition under consideration here. I’ve also noticed that the disc content and even the number of discs reported by several online resources did not match what is actually present in the box. I can drive a person a little crazy to see a listing of seven discs only to find five or six. Naturally this collection is targeted towards the diehard fan; more casual viewers will not want all three movies or the extras contained in this set.

The complex world of the Matrix was the brain child of the Wachowski brothers; Andy and Larry. It started with the release on the original film in 1999 followed by Matrix Reloaded completing the trilogy with Matrix Revolutions released back to back in 2003. There are listings that one disc containing a digital copy of ‘The Matrix’ but in the more recent Blu-ray release this disc was not present. This is confirmed with the disc list on the back of the box. The actual disc breakdown is as follows:

The Matrix

· Audio Commentaries - The original 'The Matrix' also includes two additional commentaries of its own. Carried over from the very first DVD release of the film is a track with effects personnel Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta, plus actress Carrie-Anne Moss, as well as a music-only track (in Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1) featuring comments from composer Don Davis (which are inserted in the silent passages, in between cues). The cast and crew track was certainly informative back before Warner re-issued the film so many times, but now it is easily eclipsed by the copious video material. As such, best to leave this one off your checklist. The isolated score, however, is great to have, and it's also wonderful to hear from the composer as they're so often overlooked, even on box sets as expansive as this.

· "The Music Revisited" - A very cool feature. This is an exhaustive catalog of no less than forty-one(!) audio-only music cues from the film. This was originally included as an easter egg on the original DVD set, but is now very easy to access right from the Extras menu.

· Documentary: "The Matrix Revisited" - 'The Matrix Revisited' was first released as a stand-alone DVD, but has been integrated here in its original, complete form. It runs 122 minutes, and is quite exhaustive. Chronicling the entire production from November 1997 (the beginning of pre-production) to April 2000 (as preparation for the first sequel commenced), this is a thorough, exciting video diary that alone would have been enough coverage for me on the making of 'The Matrix.' What's great about taking this return trip is recognizing how few people involved even understood the movie the Wachowskis were making. Yet all took a leap of faith, from the cast (all interviewed here) to the effects crew, all endeavoring to create something never before seen, no matter how seemingly incomprehensible. 'The Matrix Revisited' is excellent, and for me is easily the highlight of all of the 'Matrix' extras.

· Vignettes - Also included are the now-famous "Take the Red Pill" and "Follow the White Rabbit" vignettes that were presented as branching segments on the original DVD release. The material runs about 40 minutes, and each vignette is a narration-free, you-are-there look at a specific action sequence or other key scene. "Take the Red Pill" includes: "What is Bullet Time?" (6 min.) and "What is the Concept" (11 min.); "Follow the White Rabbit" includes: "Trinity Escapes" (1 min.), "Pod" (2 min.), "Kung Fu" (4 min.), "Wall" (2 min.), "Bathroom Fight" (2 min.), "Government Lobby" (4 min.), "Government Roof" (1 min.), "Helicopter" (1 min.) and "Subway" (4 min.).

· Promotional Gallery - The disc ends with 'The Matrix' original Theatrical Teaser and Trailer, eight TV spots, and a music video for Marilyn Manson's "Rock is Dead."

The Matrix Reloaded

· Documentary: "Enter the Matrix" - 42 minutes long, this compiles all of the footage shot by the Wachowski brothers specifically for the videogame. Story points and characters are introduced that built upon the 'Matrix' milieu, and for some, the game was preferable to the two sequels. There are 22 segments total, along with a 1-minute introduction by producer Joel Silver and actress Jada Pinkett-Smith. (Note that the audio for "Enter the Matrix" is Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo only.)

· Documentary: "Car Chase " - This runs 55 minutes total and compiles nine segments, each dissecting one particular aspect of 'Reloaded's action piece de resistance: "Oakland Streets and Freeway" (10 min.), "Tour of Meroinigian's Garage" (2 min.), "Queen of the Road" (3 min.), "Arteries of the Mega-City" (12 min.), "Foresight: Preplanning the Mayhem" (6 min.), "Freeway Truck Crash: Anatomy of a Shot" (5 min.), "Fate of the Freeway" (2 min.) and "Freeway Action Match" (14 min.)

· Documentary: "Unplugged" - Next is "Unplugged" (40 minutes total) which is probably the best of these sections. The Neo versus "a zillion Agent Smiths" is still an over-the-top, amazing sequence, and is broken down here in ridiculous detail: "Creating the Burly Brawl" (17 min.), "A Conversation with Master Wo Ping" (10 min.), "Chad Stahelski: The Other Neo" (2 min.), "Burly Brawl Action Match" (6 min.) and "Spiraling Virtual Shot: Anatomy of a Shot" (5 min.).

· Featurette: "Teahouse Fight" - This follows in a similar fashion to the above, with narration-free video that goes into uber-specific detail on the tabletop fight between Neo and Seraph: "Two Equals Clash" (4 min.) and "Guardian of the Oracle: Collin Chou" (3 min.)

· Featurette: "I'll Handle Them" - "I'll Handle Them" (17 minutes total) highlights the Merovingian Chateau sequence: "The Great Hall" (5 min.), "Building the Merovingian's Lair" (5 min.), "Tiger Style: A Day in the Life of Chen Hu" (4 min.) and "Heavy Metal: Weapons of the Great Hall" (3 min.).

· Archive: "Exiles" - Concluding the main extras of disc 2 is the very amusing "Exiles" assemblage (18 minutes total). Here all the assorted "exile" characters get their due, sort of like the Island of Misfit Toys of the 'Matrix Reloaded' universe. "Big Brother is Watching: The Architect's Office" (8 min.) is more effects discussion of filming the sequence, which was done almost entirely against green screen. "The Exiles" (9 min.) features the exile cast members, sorta-in character, offering background information on who they play. This is actually one of the more unique and refreshing extras on the set, especially since most of the other supplemental material is so heavy on effects breakdowns.

· Promotional Gallery - 'Reloaded' gets the original Theatrical Teaser and Trailer, plus eight more TV spots, and a music video for P.O.D.'s "Sleeping Awake."

The Matrix Revolution

· Documentary: "Behind the Matrix" - Yet another "Behind the Matrix" primer on the third film in the series (24 minutes total). "Revolutions Recalibrated" (6 min.), "Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time" (4 min.), "CG Revolution" (2 min.), "Super Big Mini Models" (1 min.), "Super Burly Brawl" (2 min.), "Double Agent Smith" (3 min.), "Mind over Matter: The Physicality of The Matrix" (3 min.) and "Future Gamer: The Matrix Online" (2 min.) "Before the Revolution" (4 min.) make up this collection. Like all of the material on 'Revolutions,' this footage and behind-the-scenes interviews were obviously shot back-to-back with 'Reloaded.'

· Documentary: "Siege" - For fans of 'Revolutions' bombastic "machine attack" extended sequence, "Siege" (40 minutes total) is for you, comprised of: "Dig This" (10 minutes, and filled with some very cool miniature footage), "Siege Action Match" (10 min.), "Mifune's Last Stand: Anatomy of a Shot" (5 min.), "Building an APU" (5 min.) and "Product of Zion" (10 min., and note that this segment is particularly interesting, as the late R&B singer/actress Aaliyah had to be recast after her sudden death in an airplane tragedy.)

· Documentary: "Aftermath" - Running 40 minutes total, this is all about post-production and the additional wizardry needed to fully polish and complete 'Revolutions': "Revolutionary Composition" (9 min.), "The Glue" (7 min.), "Dane Tracks" (7 min., and a particularly noteworthy look at sound designer Dane Davis and the often arcane sources used to create realistic sound effects) and "Cause and Effects" (16 min.)

· Featurette: "Crew" - What a very considerate ode to the many unsung crew members that are essential in creating these big-budget action extravaganzas: "Owen's Army: The Australian Art Department" (4 min.), "2nd Unit: A World of Their Own" (6 min.), "Bill Pope: Cinematographer of The Matrix" (8 min.) and 'Masters of Light and Shadow" (7 min.) each give a much-valued artist their due.

· Featurette: "Hel" - 28 minutes total, this examines the much derided Club Hel sequence. Unfortunately, all that is discussed here is more endless technical and effects aspects, and admittedly I'd grown pretty tired of it all by the time we got to 'Revolutions.' Anyway, the subsections here are: "Coat Check" (5 min.), "Upsidedown Under" (5 min.), "Fast Break" (6 min.), "Exploding Man" (5 min.), "Gun Club" (2 min.) and "The Extras of Club Hel" (5 min.).

· Featurette: "Super Burly Brawl" - Yet another fight sequence between Neo and Agent Smith is dissected: "Sky Barn" (5 min.), "Crater" (5 min.), "The Egg" (3 min.) and "Anatomy of the Superpunch" (4 min.). The latter is the best segment here, with a fascinating look at how the faces of Reeves and Hugo Weaving were insanely distorted via CGI to achieve the final effect).

· Archive: "New Blue World" - Finally, "New Blue World" (26 minutes total) is a catch-all, rounding up various featurettes and segments that apparently didn't quite fit in anywhere else: "Geography of Zion" (9 min., an interesting look at the multi-cultural denizens and their parallels to our current cultural landscape), "The Ships" (6 min.), "Tour of the Neb" (3 min.), "Logos Fight Expansion" (3 min.) and "Matrix TV" (5 min., yes, they really did create a featurette on the monitors of 'The Matrix!')

· Promotional Gallery - Closing out this disc are the original trailer for 'The Matrix Revolutions' and six TV spots.

Animatrix

Nine shorts: "Final Flight of the Osiris," "Kid's Story," "Program," "World Record," "Beyond," "Detective Story," "Matriculated," "The Second Renaissance Part 1" and "The Second Renaissance Part 2."

· Audio Commentaries: "Voices" - This is actually four separate subtitled audio commentaries for individual shorts. Filmmaker Mahiro Maeda provides tracks for both parts of 'The Second Renaissance," while Yoshiaki Kawajiri chats up "Program," and Takeshi Koike offers thoughts on "World Record.'

· Featurette: "Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime" - A much-needed 22-minute featurette that pays appropriate tribute to the influence anime had on 'The Matrix.' It is also a very valuable educational tool, at least for an anime ignoramus like me -- the origins and shared techniques of the form are explained, and even if I'm still not really into the genre, at least now I can appreciate its origins and its significance.

· Documentary: "Execution" - A seven-part documentary on the making of 'The Animatrix,' short-by-short. The piece runs 55 minutes and includes interviews with all of the filmmakers as well as additional crew, plus behind-the-scenes snippets. The shorts dissected are: 'Final Flight of the Osiris,' 'Kid's Story/Detective Story,' 'Program,' 'World Record,' 'Beyond,' 'Matriculated' and both parts of 'Renaissance.'

The Matrix Experience Side a/ Side b

· Documentary: "Return to Source: Philosophy & The Matrix" - This hour-long piece trots out a legion of professors, historians and other science-fiction literary types to make the case for the significance of the World According to Neo. Some of the connections these guys pull out are pretty incredible, as they cite everyone from Descartes to Nietzsche to Plato, as well as compare sections of the films to both the Old and New Testament, the Koran and the Book of Revelations. Your tolerance for "Return to Source" will likely vary based on your beliefs, and though I admit I snickered more than once, it's fascinating how passionate the supporters of the Matrix are in their beliefs.

· Documentary: "The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction" - One of the key thematic devices of the Matrix technology is the fusion -- and fight -- of man and machine. Another army of experts and pundits are brought out to analyze the history of emo-tech, though the 60-minute "The Hard Problem" doesn't really use 'The Matrix' as a jumping off point for these ideas. Instead, it's more of a History Channel-esque scientific journey of man's growing reliance on machines and where the future of artificial intelligence may lead us. This is certainly the most cursory documentary on the entire 'Ultimate Matrix Collection,' but a nice respite from all the more technical making-of material.

The Matrix Experience Disc 2

· Multi-Part Documentary: "The Burly Man Chronicles" - Much as 'The Matrix Revisited' was to 'The Matrix,' this 95-minute production diary of the four-year shoot of the two sequels is quite exhaustive. Yet, amazingly, there is nary any repetition with the other material on the set. Technical nitty-gritty is largely jettisoned in favor of the arduous task of conceiving and conceptualizing back-to-back sequels, the rigors of the cast in trying to comprehend and articulate the vision of the Wachowskis, and of course the huge commercial expectations that bore heavily on the minds of the filmmakers and the studio. I personally preferred this single, comprehensive documentary over all the little bits and pieces on the stand-alone discs.

Note that because 'The Matrix Experience' discs are just standard DVDs, they include the same navigation and additional "branching" content as the previously-released DVD version of 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection.' Thus, "The Burly Man Chronicles" again has a "Follow the White Rabbit" option. There are three branching segments (82 minutes total) you can access at specific points during the program, by clicking the "Enter" button on your remote when the white rabbit icon appears on the screen. The three bonus segments are: "Pre-Production" (32 min.), "Alameda Shoot" (16 min.) and "Australia Shoot" (34 min.

· Still Gallery: "Zion Archive" - An absolutely massive still gallery that has to be seen to be believed. Simply put, it the most extensive such assemblage I've ever seen on any DVD or high-def release, hands down. There are over a thousand stills -- yes, a thousand -- enough that fans could go pour through this stuff for days. Unfortunately, the navigation is frequently annoying. Though the material broken down into five obvious categories -- "Storyboards," "Characters," "Ships," "Machines" and "Sets" -- the menu text is often convoluted and weirdly inaccessible. By this point, after spending days wading through this set, I'd long since tired of all the arcane 'Matrix'-speak. And again, it's a disappointment that none of these many, many gorgeous pieces of conceptual and storyboard art have been upgraded to high-def resolution.

· Montage: "Rave Reel" - This is a 9-minute montage of clips from all three 'Matrix' movies, but since the rave scene in 'Reloaded' is considered by many fans to be the low point of the series, perhaps putting the words "rave" and "Matrix" together one more time really seems like a bad idea.

· Matrix Online Preview - This is dated -- a 10-minute sneak peek at an online gaming version of the "Enter the Matrix" game that has probably long since been forgotten.

· Promotional Gallery - Finally, 'The Matrix Experience' concludes with a collection of all the same theatrical teasers, trailers, TV spots and music videos that have already been included on the stand-alone discs for each film.