Matrix Collection: 4 Film Favorites [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is the Ultimate Collection of "The Matrix" trilogy. It consists of three films: 'The Matrix' (1999), 'The Matrix Reloaded' (2003) and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, and Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith. This trilogy is a popular contemporary sci-fi film series, known for its 'bullet time' special effects and philosophically derived story elements. All three films were directed by the Wachowskis, and all three were financial successes. However, the first instalment in the saga is typically regarded as a far superior film - as compared to its sequels. Indeed, 'The Matrix' won four Academy awards (as well as two BAFTA's and two Saturn awards). The first film can be watched and enjoyed as a standalone movie ... while the sequels really only make sense as part of the overall saga. This Ultimate Collection in HD is a 7 disc set (note, the DVD edition consists of 10 discs). The 3 movies are all in HD, as is the 'Animatrix' (a collection of short animated films). And there are extra discs - featuring bonus features - in standard definition. This set is rather costly, and as such I recommend it to enthusiastic fans. A more reasonably priced edition (without the animated films and bonus features) is Complete Matrix Trilogy [Blu-ray] [1999] [Region Free].The Matrix saga is about a dystopian future, in which the bulk of humankind have been reduced to little more than fodder for a race of intelligent machines. These machines rule the Earth, and use humans as a power source. These humans are trapped in pods, and know nothing of their real existence. Each person is connected to a complex computer programme - a virtual reality - called the Matrix, and (nearly) everyone thinks that this is reality ... As such, people live out their whole lives inside this virtual world. Yet a few people, living deep underground, have made it their mission to free the enslaved humans. These freedom fighters enter the Matrix and try to persuade individuals that the world they know is fake. Of course, the machines don't like this - and so they use super-powered 'agents' to defend and maintain the Matrix. To greatly simplify, the main story of the films concerns one man who is born into the Matrix is destined to be able to manipulate the code of the programme and free others ... This is Neo. In the first movie, Neo is located by the freedom fighters and trained. He experiences an existential crisis of sorts, recognising that he is 'the One' - capable of doing virtually anything (and becoming akin to a super-hero). In the sequels, Neo uses his amazing powers to prevent the machines from destroying all of humankind.The first film is excellent. It's one of the defining sci-fi movies of all time. It's unfortunate that the sequels don't live up to the quality of the original. Yet all are packed full of amazing special effects and action sequences. If you haven't seen these films, I do recommend them. I suggest watching the first - and, only if you really enjoyed it, do I then suggest watching the sequels.

This is the 10 disc Ultimate collection of the Matrix films and it well deserves it title.I've never known a trilogy which began as promisingly as the Matrix to fall in quality as much as this trilogy - the first film is unforgettably good, but the last is actually painfully stupid in places.The difference in quality between the movies is even more striking when they are viewed back-to-back.However this collection really redeems the franchise with its well put together extras.It's not an exaggeration to say that some of the extras are better quality than the third Matrix film and some even compare favourably to the second film.Of the seven non-film discs all but two are very entertaining/thought provoking/insightful.I can't really rate the final disc which is under an hour, but all the other discs provide useful material. The sixth disc "The Matrix Revolutions Revisited" is also a disappointment but only because the film itself is also a disappointment.The real gem in the collectin was Disc Seven - a series of Anime episodes based around the Matrix theme. You definitely don't have to be an anime fan to enjoy this disc, but you may well become one after watching it. It's very entertaining and extremely well put together. Thoroughly enjoyable and more than makes up for the disappointment of the final film in the trilogy itself.The presentation of the DVD is first rate - the DVDs are actually separated into holders which mean that you can take out the sleeve for each film individually and you'll find the associated "Revisited" disc in the same sleeve.This collection would make an excellent gift for someone who is into the Matrix films.

When I got this set back in 2008 (around my birthday), it was all I wanted. This really does contain everything the body needs, Matrix-wise, at least. It contains all the movies in special editions and tons of extra material. All of it is worth watching at least once, and much of it is worth watching several times. There is nothing that seems like it is out of place in this ultimate collection. I personally loved the new transfer of the first Matrix movie as well as the "Matrix: Revisited" documentaries for each movie.This is the ten-disc out-of-print version containing "The Animatrix". A nine-disc version without this disc is available.If you do buy the nine-disc version, make sure you buy "The Animatrix" seperately - it is the exactly same disc.If you already own all three Matrix movies, maybe even in the two disc special editions, does this warrant a double dip? Yes, it certainly does! Very few extras are carried over from the previous editions and the extras for "Reloaded" and "Revolutions" are brand new. The new transfer of "The Matrix" is almost worth the price of admittance in itself, it is really that good. This is the ultimate collection for the ultimate fan. If you are new to the Matrix this is also the best way to go, as it offers the best transfers available (on DVD anyway), and the Ultimate Matrix Experience!