The Animatrix

Review

Overall The Animatrix DVD is an good buy, although I suggest renting it because it is kinda short. Ever since I first heard of The Animatrix I had been waiting with great anticipation. Anime shorts based on The Matrix, how cool that would be. My anticipation grew even more after I saw the first two shorts that were made available on the net, The Second Renaissance Part 1 and Program. When I bought the DVD, on the third of June, I was blown away by the cool short films. But of course there are a few that people don't like.

Final Flight of the Osiris:

Description: The crew of the Osiris must warn Zion of it's impending doom. Written by Andy and Larry Wachowski. Directed by Andy Jones. Computer animation design and production by Square USA, Inc. Review: I have to admit, most of this short looked sweet but obviously the animators at Square USA really wanted to show off, with a needless flirtatious sword fight and a slow-mo gymnastic-styled sky dive. Some people say, "There goes Grekomon again, he's always to critical of movies and television shows." and I say, "Darn, straight!" Other than not liking the show-offyness, I had no problems. Osiris had a great story and flowed well into The Matrix Reloaded.

The Second Renaissance Parts 1 & 2:

Description: The story of the machines uprising against their cruel creators. Written by Andy and Larry Wachowski. Directed by Mahiro Maeda. Animation and production design by Studio4°C, Tokyo. Review: I really liked these two shorts, they really sparked the question of 'what is humanity?' In Part 1, the A.I. acted very logically and humane, while man discriminated violently against the A.I. In Part 2, the A.I. says "Screw It!" and decides it's time to open a can of whoop ass on man. I noticed, several times, that there were scenes and images that reflected and mirrored (I wonder if people will notice that those two words mean the same thing?) some historic events. The Second Renaissance by far is the best part of this collection.

Kid's story:

Description: A kid must escape agents and Matrix on a skateboard. Written by Andy and Larry Wachowski. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe. Animation and production design by Studio4°C, Tokyo. Review: Style and action, Schinichiro Watanabe must reek of it. Kid's Story was impressive and the second best of The Animatrix. I have never seen the style of a moving sketch-pad used so well, and I have never seen in Japanese anime. When I had returned from watching The Matrix Reloaded, I started wondering if that odd young follower of Neo was the Kid in Kid's Story, then I knew he was as soon as I saw the short. Listen carefully at the end to understand why Neo, in Reloaded, said that the Kid helped himself. Kid's Story is one that makes The Animatrix worth the money.

Program:

Description: Deception runs deep as one crew member reveals his betrayal. Written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Animation and production design by Madhouse Studios, Tokyo. Review: Program is my third favorite of The Animatrix. An interesting plot and beautiful animation make Program a must see. There isn't anything more I can say, just watch it.

World Record:

Description: A runner sets out to break the world record time, he succeeds and also breaks the grip of The Matrix. Written by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Directed by Takeshi Koike. Animation and production design by Madhouse Studios, Tokyo. Review: World Record features an interesting plot as well as stunning visuals. I've heard that some people didn't like the animation style but I found it made for a slick stylized feel. The use of slow-motion also gave the film an artistic and suspenseful edge. Not my favorite but I didn't hate it.

Beyond:

Description: A glitch in The Matrix causes an abandoned house to become a mystical playground. Written and directed by Koji Morimoto. Animation and production design by Studio4°C, Tokyo. Review: With a great story and animation, Beyond actually captures the true nature of children. Showoffs, ruffians, and brave as a rabid dog. Put in the environment as what was supposed to be a haunted house that caused all kinds of odd things to happen, you would assume a child would run away screaming, but in all actuality they would act just like the kids in this short.

A Detective Story:

Description: Hired by a mysterious caller, one gritty detective must catch the elusive Trinity. Written and directed by Shinichiro Watanabe. Animation and production design by Studio4°C, Tokyo. Review: I can't believe that Watanabe still has enough style, action, and creativity to spare after creating Cowboy Bebop and Kid's Story. Well maybe I can, seeing as how I am also a very creative person. The whole Film Noir atmosphere is excellent and I loved the mixture of the 1950's feel with the futureistic touch of The Matrix.

Matriculated:

Description: Using their own Matrix, humans on the outside, seduce machines into joining their fight. Written and directed by Peter Chung. Animation and production design by DNA, Seoul. Review: Although I didn't care for this one as much as the other films it still isn't as bad as what people have been saying about it. Sure the character designs were ugly, but not as scary as Chung's Reign: The Conqueror. (partly due to the fact that the guys in thongs being were scary) I've also heard that people didn't have a clue why the people were giving the machines a different Matrix, but I thought it was so obvious I even put it in the description. Once you convert the machines into human loving beings they will help the people. It was pretty apparent when the humans were attacked by other machines, that the seduced machines started helping fight them off.

Extras:

DVD Menus: