Matrix Trilogy, The [Ultimate Matrix Collection, The]

It's so nice to read a review of "The Matrix" that doesn't overpraise it like most other reviews do. I remember seeing it back in ྟ and being entertained enough by it, and then going on the Internet and being amazed at how many people were calling it a "masterpiece." To consider "The Matrix" a masterpiece, one would have to pretty well erase the existence of about the last fifty years of film, comic books, novels, short stories, video games, television, radio, and God knows what else. It's amazing when there are so many out there so willing to put this movie on such a high pedestal and then go on to nitpick other, usually better or about equal movies into oblivion. Everything "The Matrix" does has been done before and a lot better. The philosophy has been used to more imaginative effect in TV shows like "The Twilight Zone" or "Star Trek" (among others). The action sequences blatantly plunder Hong Kong cinema (once again, among others), and simply don't measure up. The lobby shootout is indicative of one of the aesthetic problems of this movie. Here, The Wachowskis steal from John Woo (among others, God I'm saying that a lot), who had a much better understanding of how and when to use slow motion in his movies, and here the Wachowskis simply decided to have long shots of Neo and Trinity shooting/dodging/fighting in slow motion, which not only lacks Woo's finesse but I also suspect may have been an attempt to make up for the fact that this film's actors were greatly outclassed when compared to the actors in Hong Kong action movies. The wire-fu triple kick that Keanu Reeves delivers to a guard may lack the grace, speed, and flexibility of wire-fu performers in HK movies from the ྂs, but it's in slo-mo and Keanu's trench coat is flapping around like a black Superman cape, and this supposedly makes it come off more "ethereal" than it is. If there's anything "The Matrix" has over most of what it plunders (aside from the special effects), it's sound. The sound effects in this movie were handled by some top-notch Hollywood designers and are therefore more sophisticated than in a lot of other movies which may not have the same production values. We've seen slo-mo in movies before, this time though, we can actually hear the bullets whiz by in slow motion, hear the pieces of concrete and tile fly and bounce against the ground and walls in slow motion, hear the shells clink against the floor in slow motion, and there's that cool "whooshing" effect brought on by "bullet time." That may not seem like much, but I think it's much of the reason so many are "blown away" by the action scenes, the sound effects and use of music help to gloss over the film's visual inadequacies. And the ending is incredibly lazy. *Spoilers!* Trinity tells a "dead" Neo that the Oracle told her that she'd fall in love with the One. She tells Neo that he must be the One, because she loves him. And Neo is resurrected and kicks the ass out of Agent Smith (I hear there were some rare editions of the Bible where Jesus jumps off the cross and pummels Pontius Pilate which served as the inspiration for this scene ^_^). *End spoilers.* This whole scene goes completely against the movie's philosophy of not allowing one's self to be ruled by fate. I realize that "The Matrix Reloaded" addressed this, but a movie shouldn't have to rely on its sequel. "The Matrix" is a collection of all kinds of pop culture and religion and philosophy all crammed into one movie (not counting the sequels), but it's sort of like that old joke from "Married with Children" when Bud was talking about how Kelly's mind works, saying that if you pour a fountain of knowledge into a shot glass capacity of a brain, you're gonna spill some. Despite my grievances with this movie, as odd as it may seem, I actually enjoy it as cinematic cotton candy. It's well paced, stylish, beautifully shot, there's some very good editing and composition in parts, has great special effects, and I've already mentioned the sound design. As B-movies go, I can think of worse. But what's strange, is that even though I find it to be a guilty pleasure in its own way, I don't think I've ever complained more about a movie I've "liked." Anyway, I realize I haven't really added anything to what you've already said, John, but this was something I felt I had to get off my chest and I thought this would be a good forum to do it in.

Dersu,

Thank you for your analysis and input. The more people we hear from and the more sides we acknowledge, the better informed we are.

John

You're welcome. The nice thing about Internet is how it gives just about anyone a place to share their ideas with the world.

John --

I just now received the Matrix HD-DVD set. I played couple of scenes from The Matrix to test the audio in TrueHD. I have to say I am really disappointed. First, in the lobby shoot-out sequence (which is the best place to test the audio) I could hardly hear anything coming from the surround speakers. Most of the sound is center channel driven. Second, I did not find any major difference between the DD+ and TrueHD.

I played Fast and the Furious 2 and I would hear sound from all channels at all times (audible sound). So far Matrix audio is underwhelming. However, the video is looks really good. Any advise John?

Thanks

Ranjan,

As we discussed earlier, the two sequels have better sound than the first "Matrix." That said, the first "Matrix" still sounds awfully good on my system. The famous (infamous?) lobby scene is center-channel oriented because the two protagonists are walking down the center of the lobby. The rear channels are used primarily for the sounds of shell casings clinking on the ground and bullets bouncing off walls (both fairly high-pitched noises). Also, on my system there is still a pretty good front-channel spread, and the bass thunders. Finally, I have no idea why you can't hear the difference between DD+ and TrueHD. I hesitate to suggest it might require a better audio system because that sounds snobbish. But.... :)

John

Personally, the Matrix Trilogy is one of the finest pieces of film made. I am entertained every time I see these movies. THERE ARE two things though that have always bothered me and even until this day make me wonder why they were put into the movies. That is the horrific "cave" scene where the Zionites have their giant orgy and where Neo and Trinity have sex. If they took that scene out it would have been fine. Same thing went for Revolutions when they put in the freak bar scene. Not to necessarily take it out but get rid of the freak aspect. I know Larry is a transvestite (can't spell) and is a freak himself, but those scenes I think hurt the movies.

With that said I have to say the HD-DVD versions of these movies are 10/10 all the way around. I have several HD-DVD's and have rented and watched several more, and these three movies are definitely the best available. Crystal clear picture, no grain, black blacks. God I love it!

In movie experience? awesome!!!! Turns the movies into almost documentaries. I love it and can't wait for more movies like this. Read em and weep BluRay. Get up with the times!!!