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Techtite's DVD Reviews! |
----------------- Feel free to contribute. As always, review submissions are accepted! ------------------
Also reviewed elsewhere: The Matrix Revisited ------------- Sidebar :: ------------- So, where's our Matrix sequel...? No sooner did Matrix become a hit, then it was hyped that, yes, as you'd expect, this will be a "trilogy," and not have a mere singular sequel. However, if you wish to wait for it, pack a big lunch. Due to red tape that is being both spin controlled and "leaked to the media," Matrix 2 and three (one of which is a prequel) will not hit theaters until 2003 at the earliest. Bummer.
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The Matrix
A Techtite ReviewThe Film: Who knew? You, in the back row, who claims he knew, can just sit down and shut up. The truth is, nobody ever considered that a film that looked a lot like so many films before it, would be able to add a few never-done-in-sci-fi FX, enhance the cliché robot-versus-human story, and create a whole slew of fans. The achievement here is seriously amazing...particularly when released just weeks before Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. It helps, of course, that The Matrix was a cool film, that fans could willingly watch over and over on cable TV. The story is a simple one, however, of a dark, unfashionable future where some dastardly unfeeling robots have taken over the Earth. What makes the story unique is that they still need humans to survive...as an energy source. The human body creates an enormous amount of electro-chemical energy as well as heat; the robots need both. So, how do they retain control of these humans? By jacking into their minds via cybernetic implants, and making them all think it's still "present day" 1999. This faux 1999 cyber-world would be nicknamed "The Matrix." As you'd expect, there is a small band of rebels, attempting to free humans from the Matrix mirage and bring them into the real world, where they can live their lives outside of robotic control. The problem is, freeing someone from The Matrix means entering The Matrix...a simulated world so real, that when you are shot by an agent, your mind "makes it real," and you die in the real world too. However, knowing that The Matrix is not real, can assist in the rebels doing otherwise "unrealistic" acts. They can jump across buildings, fight with super strength, and even defy gravity itself. It's the special effects that result from these moments -- bullets being slowed down in mid-air, women "freezing" in mid-air before a kick, and the frequent gigantic jump across rooftops-- that made the film so cool. These effects also won an Oscar for Special FX that year. The story gets its uniqueness in a prophesy of "The One" who would some day be able to bend the will of the Matrix completely. The One is foretold to be a human whose mind is so strong, they cannot only bend the rules of the Matrix; they can reshape it to their wishes. The first appearance of The One was the first of the humans to break free, and while he was either defeated or died of old age (this film never fully explains which), prophesy foretells of his return. It is up to the best of the rebel leaders, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) to find The One and assist in the rebellion. He feels he's found him via a very talented hacker nicknamed Neo (Keanu Reeves)...trouble is, Neo is an average-Joe who is more than happy with his faux-yet-tranquil life in the real world. Will he take kindly to finding out that he needs to fulfill a destiny...in a world that is not half as pleasant as The Matrix paints it to be? Adding to the suspense is Morpheus' right-hand rebel, Trinity (Carrie Anne-Moss), who practically steals the movie in those skin tight latex outfits she wears. In addition, she has taken quite a liking to Neo, even though he is too busy adjusting to his new life to realize how she feels. Other rebels are intriguing as well, though the agents say they are receiving reports from a human spy...who happens to be a member of Morpheus' own crew. The end result is a film that may resemble something you've seen before in snapshots, though not when seen on screen. Sure, the movie sets look not unlike Dark City, released just one year earlier. Sure, the cinematic feel of this not-so-future world looks not unlike Blade Runner. Of course, who can list of the top of their head, at least 25 sci-fi films of artificial intelligence gone awry? Regardless, when seen in its entirety, there's nothing quite like this film at all. From the Oscar winning slow-mo effects to the cool modern theme music (not classical, a la most sci-fi these days), this is a keeper for any fan of science fiction. If you missed it, you're in for a treat; if you don't own it on DVD, it should be on your gift list. 'nuf said! The DVD: Perhaps one of the surest signs of a team unworthy of their own fan base, is a group who decides to release their "bonus materials" for this film, not as supplementary material to the DVD --nor include it as a two-disc "special edition"-- though sell it as a separate DVD entirely, called The Matrix Revisited. What does this leave, for the original film's DVD? Not much. Does that mean fans wont buy both? Not by a long shot. However, the aching feeling fans feel when paying twice the price for separate discs, is worse than when Star Trek fans have to look at the X-File fans getting whole season DVD collections, only to have original series Trek episodes offered two episodes at a time! So, what do the powers on high grace us with, on the standalone DVD? Well, for one, there's an audio commentary by Carrie Anne Moss and...two other guys. Just kidding; she's joined by editor Zach Staenberg and visual effects supervisor John Gaeta. No, Neo (Keanu Reeves) and the director/producer/writer are not present. Still, Carrie was a nice addition. Adding to the fun is yet another audio option with isolated musical score, with optional commentary by composer Don Davis. Aside from the HBO First Look documentary, you'll have to hunt for the added 11 (short) featurettes. "Take the red pills" to view two documentaries titled, "What is Bullet Time?" ad "What is the Concept?" Follow the white rabbit and see nine additional featurettes. While you may say that 11 (however, again, short) featurettes is worthy of a thumbs-up in the bonus material category, keep in mind that the "Matrix Revisited" DVD includes sneak peeks at the sequels, a preview of the anime cartoon based on the film, never-before-seen footage, plus anecdotes from the stars. The film was good, and the added featurette clips are nice, though if this was included with the so-called "revisited" DVD, as a two-disc special edition, that would've been even better...and quite frankly, a bit more fair to fans.
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