DVD Reviews

Animatrix

When The Matrix was released in theatres in 1999, not only did it become an enormous success, but it also introduced audiences to various genres that were not well received before. One of these genres was animation, specifically Japanese Anime. The filmmakers of The Matrix have openly expressed their interest in the genre, and have shown that Japanese Anime was a major influence on their work. Shortly after the release and success of The Matrix, directors Andy and Larry Wachowski decided to develop a project that brings the world of The Matrix and the world of Japanese Anime together, exposing the genre to a wider audience so that if can receive more attention. The result is The Animatrix, a collection of nine animated shorts directed by some of the most important and popular animation directors from the United States and Japan. Each of the stories (for mature audiences only, not for kids) revolves around the world of The Matrix, either as a story directly related to the films or an original story as its own. In conjunction with the release of the Matrix sequels, this collection is made available on DVD.
This collection is for the true Matrix fan, containing all nine animated stories that you can watch individually or as a whole. Each story has been transferred beautifully to DVD, with a sharp, vibrant picture and excellent sound mix. There is a good choice of features available on the disc that will appeal to both fans of the genre and those that are unfamiliar with it. A short making-of featurette has been produced for each of the nine animated shorts, with filmmaker’s commentary offered on four of the shorts. An extra featurette is offered that explores how the project got underway and then goes into the history of Japanese Anime. Plus you get bios on the directors and producers of the shorts, a trailer for the Enter The Matrix video game, and some DVD-ROM features. While it may not seem like much, these features offer an excellent viewing that is both entertaining and even educational.

Fans want more of The Matrix, and this is one of many ways they are getting it. The purpose of the DVD is to expose audiences to the world of animation and Japanese Anime, a world that is not explored by many, and does just that. Whether you are a fan of The Matrix, an animation enthusiast, or you know nothing about either, this DVD is an excellent primer for both worlds while undeniably pleasing those already exposed to it. If you like The Matrix or you’re a big fan of Anime, this is a DVD worth checking out. And if you know nothing about the world of Japanese Anime, this is a great place to start

Review By Chris Emery