Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3575 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-18
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 457 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The first film of The Matrix trilogy established the Wachowski brothers as innovative filmmakers who push the boundaries of live-action films. Like the groundbreaking Star Wars, The Matrix showcases a unique visual style, one the Wachowskis achieved through an array of techniques and digital effects, some never before seen in mainstream Hollywood films. Although computer morphing technology had been used before in The Abyss and Terminator 2, the Wachowskis were the first to use "bullet time", a time-bending digital effect that utilises both computer-generated imagery and still photography. The sequel The Matrix Reloaded showcased that visual style to further effect, with The Matrix Revolutions completing the trilogy.

DVD Description
The first film is a complex story that aspires to mythology, focusing on a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) who searches for the truth behind the mysterious force known as the Matrix. He finds his answer with a group of strangers led by the charismatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). What they encounter in confronting that truth makes for a lightning-paced, eye-popping thrill ride of a movie. The Matrix is packed with stunning fight scenes (choreographed by accomplished Hong Kong director Yuen Wo-Ping), astonishing visual effects, quotable lines, and a memorable supporting cast (led by Carrie-Anne Moss, in her first major Hollywood film). The Matrix Reloaded sequel delivers added amounts of everything that the first film had, with the exception of surprises. We see more of the "real world" in the last human city of Zion and we go back to the 1999-look urban virtual reality of the Matrix for more encounters with artificially intelligent baddies and--the real reason you're watching—there are a lot more martial arts superheroics. This is just part one of a story that spans two sequels, with the final film of the trilogy, The Matrix Revolutions, required to tie up the story and sort out a great deal of plot complexity.

Synopsis
Three features. With THE MATRIX, the Wachowskis have established themselves as innovative filmmakers who push the boundaries of live-action films. Like the groundbreaking STAR WARS, THE MATRIX (also the first film of a trilogy) showcases a unique visual style, one the Wachowskis achieved through an array of techniques and digital effects, some never before seen in mainstream Hollywood films. Although computer morphing technology had been used before in films such as THE ABYSS and TERMINATOR 2, the Wachowskis were the first to use 'bullet time,' a time-bending digital effect that utilises both computer-generated imagery and still photography. The film itself is a complex story that aspires to mythology, focusing on a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) who searches for the truth behind the mysterious force known as the Matrix. He finds his answer with a group of strangers led by the charismatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). What they encounter in confronting that truth makes for a lightning-paced, eye-popping thrill ride of a movie. Packed with stunning fight scenes (choreographed by accomplished Hong Kong director Yuen Wo-Ping), astonishing visual effects, quotable lines, and a terrific supporting cast (led by Carrie-Anne Moss, in her first major Hollywood film), THE MATRIX is a bold triumph that raises the bar for all science fiction films. Also includes THE MATRIX RELOADED and MATRIX REVOLUTIONS.

Customer Reviews

Excellent value for money, despite obvious flaws
I'm assuming that by reading this you have already seen all 3 films and you're just reading this for an opinion. If by some crazy rule of physics you haven't actually bought/seen this, then what are you waiting for?! It is well documented that the first film is a true classic, and that the sequels are slightly poorer. But at this price, who is to complain?

The first film was, and is, awesome, and represents a milestone in action cinema. To be fair, even if you didn't watch the other two, it would be worth buying just for this film alone.

The 2nd and 3rd films generate such different opinions that it's hard to give an objective analysis of them. I personally enjoyed both of them, but at the same time felt that the script and story were trying to be more intellectual than they actually were. Using lots of big words in a string of incoherent sentences does not make you an intelligent script writer (see Matrix Reloaded).

The story of Reloaded does twist itself up a bit, and is pretty vacant really. Revolutions is definitely better, and the main battle scene between man and machines is definitely the highlight of the film.

I can think of many worse things to spend my money on than this.

Awesome Sci-fi carrying a powerful metaphor
The Matrix Trilogy must be one of the most significant films of our time, and is likely to go down as an all time sci-fi classic along with the likes of Blade Runner. It is obviously laden with symbology fished from a variety of sources, but I wonder if the Watchowski brothers realised just exactly how powerful a metaphor for our reality they were creating.

The central premise that our lives are not 'real' but are steeped in illusion in order that our life force may be fed upon whilst we are enfenced unwittingly like cattle - this is a relevant and powerful message on many levels. It can easily be seen that this is true on a superficial level, with the rampant rise of ultra-aggressive capitalist consumerism, whereby everyone is 'sold a dream' in order to siphon off all income to profit the few, but it goes deeper than that, and can be used to catch a glimpse of some ideas on the true nature of reality. The overlap with material such as Castaneda is remarkable, with stories about the archetypal predator who is invisible, and feeds on us because he has 'given us his mind'. In all, it is a striking metaphor for the human condition.

Of course the great thing is that, even if you don't want to explore things to those levels, taken at surface value as a piece of entertainment, the Matrix is still a fantastic sci-fi/action trilogy, with colourful characters, awesome visuals, and a solid original plotline. Taken as a trilogy, this is a fantastic piece of film-making artwork, and this is the best way to enjoy it. For me, like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, this amazing piece of entertainment should be enjoyed whole, with the complete epic story all in one package.

This is an incredibly cheap way to get hold of all three films, but the only other thing I would say is, if you can stretch to the extra money, go for the 'Ultimate Matrix' box set, which contains many extras, but more importantly, the several mini-film 'featurettes' which flesh out the background story.

Trilogy doesn't do justice to the first film
Very short review but good if you are in a hurry
Matrix: Superb, innovative, wow special effects, excellent story

Matrix reloaded: OK, Bit confusing but made up by pretty sci fi effects

Matrix revolutions: Complete bollocks