Anonymous
18-11-2001, 13:19
Hier een recentie van de Matrix revitited, nog eventjes wachten ben ik bang maar dan kunnen wij er ook van genieten.
Ik zag op m'n werk dat de box, waarvan Nederland er 30.000 al op was, dus degenen die er een hebben kunnen reserveren hebben geluk, maar ik heb de film al, wil alleen de extra's, dus ik ben wel tevreden zo.
Well, here's a weird one. It's been a couple of years since The Matrix became the sleeper hit of 1999, and we're still a year or two away from the the highly-anticipated first sequel The Matrix Reloaded, so I guess now it is time to prime the pump and whet the rabid fan appetites in the interim? Well, then, voila! The Matrix Revisited, a brand-new look at the making of the first film, and a rather extravagant promo for the second.
Since this new documentary disc is really one big supplement, we'll eschew our usual review format and just tell you what's here. First off, this is not a reissue of the first DVD, but rather a companion disc that will fit oh-so-snugly on the shelf next to your current copy of The Matrix. The first disc is still available in its original form, and this new bonus baby will set you back an additional $19.95 (though you can save a few bucks if you buy The Matrix two-pack with both platters.)
Okay, so what do we get that is new for our twenty bucks? The centerpiece is, of course, The Matrix Revisited documentary itself. Running a robust 123 minutes, this is not a mere rehash of old EPK material or leftover behind-the-scenes footage. Rather, it is a comprehensive, video diary-esque doc that features all-new interviews with most of the Matrix creative team, taken over a period of a year from 2000 through 2001. The Wachowski Brothers, producer Joel Silver, the cast including Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving, and the production crew including director of photography Bill Pope, production designer Owen Paterson, costume designer Kym Barrett, and concept designers Steve Skroce and Geof Darrow all contribute new views, both off the set and in the production offices, and there's a few old interviews thrown in for good measure.
Directed by Josh Oreck and produced by Eric Matthies, this is one comprehensive doc, covering every aspect of the production, from pre- to post-production and on to the finished film and preparation for the sequels. And the tone is rather unusual for a documentary - since this has been created in between the first film and its sequel, we get a weird perspective. The filmmakers express trepidation at following up with was essentially a surprise sensation (indeed, The Matrix was no sure thing at the time), but the sequels haven't been filmed yet, so we don't exactly know (nor do the filmmakers, it seems) where it is all going. Hmmmm.
But this is a Matrix fan's dream to be sure. We get tons of behind-the-scenes production footage and more insight into the film's conceptualization, visualization, casting, effects, stunt work, and, of course, "bullet time." But if you're impatient, be forewarned. Those looking for a sneak peek at The Matrix Reloaded will be disappointed. Aside from those who are really clever and scan the background for the smallest hints, this doc is focused on making The Matrix. We get a bit at the end on the plans for the trilogy, but it is about as deep as a segment on Access Hollywood. But if you're a fan of the first film this is far better than the material provided on the original Matrix disc and up there with the best of DVD documentaries these days.
But wait, there is more. You can "Go Further" with seven additional featurettes, again all in full frame and mostly promo fluff. First up is What Is To Come?, a look at the making of The Matrix 2 video game. Our guide is Shiny Entertainment prez David Perry, who gives us the briefest of 3-minute looks at how they make those 3-D figures fight. Really bad. Whatisthematrix.com? is another weird one, a 3-minute look at the Matrix website with self-congratulatory thoughts from Joel Silver. Then we get even more from the big man (wearing a really, really bad Hawaiian shirt) and the Animatrix design team in What Is Animatrix?, a look at the Matrix anime comic series. Then we get The Dance Of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes, a 6-minute montage of test footage for three fight scenes - "The Dojo Fight," "The Subway Fight," and "The Government Lobby."
More fun is the 5-minute True Followers, which interviews eight Matrix "followers" so obsessed with the movie and the website that they border on a true cult. I'm always simultaneously astounded and repulsed but such rabid fandom, but you cannot deny their passion even while it so poignant that anyone could need to fill such a void in their lives with a mere movie. Freaks of the world unite! The Bathroom Fight / Wet Wall is a short 4-minute segment on building these two claustrophobic sets and sequences, hosted by director of photography Bill Pope. Finally, there's But Wait, There's More, a 5-minute montage of effects fun, with green screen, CGI, rendering, and production footage, complete with cheesy techno score. (And don't forget that there is a ton of easter eggs in here, including a way-cool Jukebox that plays no less than 41 songs in their entirety. Just look for the phonebooth in the languages submenu, and think you can find the other ones?)
Now, on to the presentation. My main gripe is that all the material is presented in full frame, with the film clips in non-anamorphic widescreen. Why wasn't this shot in 16x9? Regardless, the quality is very, very good. Shot on sharp digital video, this is a very pleasing image that crisp and clean with colors vibrant little in the way of artifacts to distract. The main documentary is also presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1, though to be honest aside from the film clips you'd be hard pressed to tell. But, hey, it s a documentary, so it is all talking heads and onset footage with dodgy production sound anyway. On the plus side, the main doc features a strong 33 chapter stops, is subtitled in English, French and Spanish, and even includes English Closed Captions.
A few more negatives? Like the Beyond Jurassic Park disc, there are some missed opportunities. Once again, no trailers for The Matrix are included, so if you want to see 'em, you still have to go to the web. Also, aside from a custom skin, this disc includes no DVD-ROM extras, just a weblink to the existing whatisthematrix.com site. I'm sure we'll see future updates there, but how about some new and cool and interactive exclusive to us DVD owners? I also would have liked to see a few more things left off of the first Matrix disc, like perhaps the script, more storyboards or some production notes.
Ik zag op m'n werk dat de box, waarvan Nederland er 30.000 al op was, dus degenen die er een hebben kunnen reserveren hebben geluk, maar ik heb de film al, wil alleen de extra's, dus ik ben wel tevreden zo.
Well, here's a weird one. It's been a couple of years since The Matrix became the sleeper hit of 1999, and we're still a year or two away from the the highly-anticipated first sequel The Matrix Reloaded, so I guess now it is time to prime the pump and whet the rabid fan appetites in the interim? Well, then, voila! The Matrix Revisited, a brand-new look at the making of the first film, and a rather extravagant promo for the second.
Since this new documentary disc is really one big supplement, we'll eschew our usual review format and just tell you what's here. First off, this is not a reissue of the first DVD, but rather a companion disc that will fit oh-so-snugly on the shelf next to your current copy of The Matrix. The first disc is still available in its original form, and this new bonus baby will set you back an additional $19.95 (though you can save a few bucks if you buy The Matrix two-pack with both platters.)
Okay, so what do we get that is new for our twenty bucks? The centerpiece is, of course, The Matrix Revisited documentary itself. Running a robust 123 minutes, this is not a mere rehash of old EPK material or leftover behind-the-scenes footage. Rather, it is a comprehensive, video diary-esque doc that features all-new interviews with most of the Matrix creative team, taken over a period of a year from 2000 through 2001. The Wachowski Brothers, producer Joel Silver, the cast including Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving, and the production crew including director of photography Bill Pope, production designer Owen Paterson, costume designer Kym Barrett, and concept designers Steve Skroce and Geof Darrow all contribute new views, both off the set and in the production offices, and there's a few old interviews thrown in for good measure.
Directed by Josh Oreck and produced by Eric Matthies, this is one comprehensive doc, covering every aspect of the production, from pre- to post-production and on to the finished film and preparation for the sequels. And the tone is rather unusual for a documentary - since this has been created in between the first film and its sequel, we get a weird perspective. The filmmakers express trepidation at following up with was essentially a surprise sensation (indeed, The Matrix was no sure thing at the time), but the sequels haven't been filmed yet, so we don't exactly know (nor do the filmmakers, it seems) where it is all going. Hmmmm.
But this is a Matrix fan's dream to be sure. We get tons of behind-the-scenes production footage and more insight into the film's conceptualization, visualization, casting, effects, stunt work, and, of course, "bullet time." But if you're impatient, be forewarned. Those looking for a sneak peek at The Matrix Reloaded will be disappointed. Aside from those who are really clever and scan the background for the smallest hints, this doc is focused on making The Matrix. We get a bit at the end on the plans for the trilogy, but it is about as deep as a segment on Access Hollywood. But if you're a fan of the first film this is far better than the material provided on the original Matrix disc and up there with the best of DVD documentaries these days.
But wait, there is more. You can "Go Further" with seven additional featurettes, again all in full frame and mostly promo fluff. First up is What Is To Come?, a look at the making of The Matrix 2 video game. Our guide is Shiny Entertainment prez David Perry, who gives us the briefest of 3-minute looks at how they make those 3-D figures fight. Really bad. Whatisthematrix.com? is another weird one, a 3-minute look at the Matrix website with self-congratulatory thoughts from Joel Silver. Then we get even more from the big man (wearing a really, really bad Hawaiian shirt) and the Animatrix design team in What Is Animatrix?, a look at the Matrix anime comic series. Then we get The Dance Of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes, a 6-minute montage of test footage for three fight scenes - "The Dojo Fight," "The Subway Fight," and "The Government Lobby."
More fun is the 5-minute True Followers, which interviews eight Matrix "followers" so obsessed with the movie and the website that they border on a true cult. I'm always simultaneously astounded and repulsed but such rabid fandom, but you cannot deny their passion even while it so poignant that anyone could need to fill such a void in their lives with a mere movie. Freaks of the world unite! The Bathroom Fight / Wet Wall is a short 4-minute segment on building these two claustrophobic sets and sequences, hosted by director of photography Bill Pope. Finally, there's But Wait, There's More, a 5-minute montage of effects fun, with green screen, CGI, rendering, and production footage, complete with cheesy techno score. (And don't forget that there is a ton of easter eggs in here, including a way-cool Jukebox that plays no less than 41 songs in their entirety. Just look for the phonebooth in the languages submenu, and think you can find the other ones?)
Now, on to the presentation. My main gripe is that all the material is presented in full frame, with the film clips in non-anamorphic widescreen. Why wasn't this shot in 16x9? Regardless, the quality is very, very good. Shot on sharp digital video, this is a very pleasing image that crisp and clean with colors vibrant little in the way of artifacts to distract. The main documentary is also presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1, though to be honest aside from the film clips you'd be hard pressed to tell. But, hey, it s a documentary, so it is all talking heads and onset footage with dodgy production sound anyway. On the plus side, the main doc features a strong 33 chapter stops, is subtitled in English, French and Spanish, and even includes English Closed Captions.
A few more negatives? Like the Beyond Jurassic Park disc, there are some missed opportunities. Once again, no trailers for The Matrix are included, so if you want to see 'em, you still have to go to the web. Also, aside from a custom skin, this disc includes no DVD-ROM extras, just a weblink to the existing whatisthematrix.com site. I'm sure we'll see future updates there, but how about some new and cool and interactive exclusive to us DVD owners? I also would have liked to see a few more things left off of the first Matrix disc, like perhaps the script, more storyboards or some production notes.