The Ultimate Matrix Collection
From The Black Vault Encyclopedia Project
The Ultimate Matrix Collection is a DVD release featuring all the titles in the Matrix Series, as well as several hours of special features, spread over 10 discs.
It was released by Warner Home Video on December 7 2004.
The aim of the collection was to compile all three movies in the trilogy in one release, as well as The Animatrix, the feature length documentary The Matrix Revisited and many other extras that were not available on the three previous, separate releases.
A Limited Edition of the Ultimate Matrix Collection was also released, packaged in a transparent case and including an exclusive resin bust of Neo and 80-page booklet.
Contents |
Summary of New Features
The first movie has been digitally enhanced so that it matches the clarity and colour palette of the sequels.
All three films now include two audio commentaries: one by the critics Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson; and one by the philosophers Ken Wilber and Cornel West. In a written introduction, the Wachowski Brothers explain that this is to inspire an implied dialogue between both camps so that the audience "might triangulate their own position".
The set also features The Matrix Reloaded Revisited and The Matrix Revolutions Revisited, two new 'making of' documentaries on the sequels, divided into segments on larger sequences or aspects of production, which may in turn be viewed as short (~5-20 minute) segments. The Reloaded Revisited disk also includes the footage shot especially for the Enter the Matrix computer game, which previously could only be seen after having completed certain parts of the game.
Three of the disks are not connected to specific movies in the series. "The Roots Of The Matrix" contains two short documentaries, discussing philosophy and science of the series as a whole. "The Burlyman Chronicles" provides a documentary on the trials and tribulations faced by the crew in the production of the two movies sequels. Finally, "The Zion Archive" is a collection of information on the merchandising, marketing and spin-off franchises, as well as miscellaneous material such as concept sketches.
Criticism
Many fans of the series were somewhat disgruntled at another DVD release of the films; there are already two-disc 'Special Edition' versions of the last two films in the trilogy and many questioned the value of buying films they already own.
The release also came under some criticism that very little input was evident from the series' reclusive writer/directors the Wachowski brothers. The brothers included a new written introduction to the first film, but it had been widely hoped that this DVD would include an audio commentary by the brothers to gain an insight into some of the mysteries of the series. However, the pair, who Warner Bros have allowed to be exempt from any publicity, have stated that they are keen to allow the viewer to make up their own decisions about the films - rather than making what the brothers say the 'official dogma'. Still, many feel their "reason" as to why they neglected to record ANY commentaries whatsoever is not good enough seeing as how Star Wars creator/writer/director George Lucas managed to record 6 insightful commentaries for his DVD's without specifically dogmatizing about any of the films while doing so.
The Discs
The collection consists of the following:
- Disc 1 - The Matrix
- Disc 2 - The Matrix Revisited
- Disc 3 - The Matrix Reloaded
- Disc 4 - The Matrix Reloaded Revisited
- Disc 5 - The Matrix Revolutions
- Disc 6 - The Matrix Revolutions Revisited
- Disc 7 - The Animatrix
- Disc 8 - The Roots Of The Matrix
- Disc 9 - The Burly Man Chronicles
- Disc 10 - The Zion Archive
| The Matrix series (edit) | |
|---|---|
| Films | The Matrix | The Matrix Reloaded | The Matrix Revolutions |
| The Animatrix | Final Flight of the Osiris | The Second Renaissance | Kid's Story | Program | World Record | Beyond | A Detective Story | Matriculated |
| Games | Enter the Matrix | The Matrix Online | The Matrix: Path of Neo |
| Characters | Neo | Trinity | Morpheus | Smith | Agent | Oracle | Architect | Minor characters | Programs and machines |
| Locations | Matrix | The City | Club Hel | Mobil Ave | Zero One | Zion | List of ships in the Matrix series |
| Other topics | Matrix Source Code | The Matrix Character Names |
Copyright
"Original data received from Wikipedia on May 06, 2006. Credit given to original authors can be seen Here."
