With all the articles about the current format war between HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc one has to wonder if there will ever be a true winner. Will one go the way of Beta tape? Or, will both of them manage to coexist? These questions become even more important this week as Warner Bros. releases The Ultimate Matrix Collection ($119.99 SRP) and The Complete Matrix Trilogy ($99.99 SRP) on HD-DVD. Aside from all three films in this series getting the "treatment" in regards to being bumped up to that next generation format, consumers have a choice of a really good set or set a that that is beyond anything that fans of this franchise could ever want, need or hope to have.
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Movie PictureThe Complete Matrix Trilogy
Offering consumers The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions over three discs on glistening HD, 2.35:1, 1080p resolution this set is also jam packed with extras. Here is a listing of what they are:
The Matrix
Disc One:
- Written introduction by The Wachowski Brothers
- Commentary Tracks
- Marilyn Manson Music Video "Rock is Dead"
The MatrixFeaturettes:
- BehindThe Matrix: MakingThe Matrix
- The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes
- The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall
- The Code of the Red Dress
- The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake
- Agent Down
- But Wait - There's More
- The Music Revisited
The Matrix Reloaded
Disc Two:
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski Brothers
- Commentary Tracks
- P.O.D. Music Video "Sleeping Awake"
The Matrix ReloadedFeaturettes:
- BehindThe Matrix: The MatrixUnfolds
- Pre-Load
- Get Me an Exit
- The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
- EnterThe Matrix: The Game
The Matrix Revolutions
Disc Three:
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski Brothers
- Philosopher's and Critic's Commentary Tracks
The Matrix RevolutionsFeaturettes:
- BehindThe Matrix: Revolutions Recalibrated
- Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time
- CG Revolution
- Super Big Mini Models
- Super Burly Brawl
- Double Agent Smith
- Mind Over Matter: The Physicality ofThe Matrix
- Future Gamer:The MatrixOnline
In all honesty, this is a simply the tip of the iceberg in regards to what The Ultimate Matrix Collection offers. The big question is do you need all of it? I think it really comes down to what kind of fan you are. There are obviously the same amount of movies in each collection. They all look quite good in the next generation format and its apparent that HD-DVD sees this release as way of showing just how much their format has to offer. Also, Warner Bros. is planning on releasing these films (and most likely these exact same sets) on Blu-ray disc later this year. Factor into this that both of these HD-DVD collections contain the In-Movie Experience (which allow you to delve into the special features as the movie is playing) and you have what becomes the ultimate interactive experience for the ultimate interactive set of movies.
You can click here to read our full review of the The Complete Matrix Trilogy.
Movie PictureThe Ultimate Matrix Collection
This is the set you have to own if you are are a diehard fan of this movie. It is so packed with material, and offers such an amazing viewing experience, that with only a $20 difference in price this Ultimate Collection almost seems like a steal. Here is how this set breaks down over it's 5 double sided discs:
The Matrix
Disc One:
Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Cast and Crew Commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta
- Composer Commentary by Don Davis with Music Only Track
- Behind The Matrix
- Making The Matrix
- The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes
- The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall
- The Code of the Red Dress
- The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake
- Agent Down
- But Wait- There's More
- The Music Revisited
- Marilyn Manson Music Video Rock is Dead
- The Matrix Teaser
- The Matrix Trailer
- The Matrix TV Spots:
- A) Manson
- B) Reality
- C) Forget Everything
- D) Mystery
- E) Buckle Up
- F) The Answer
- G) Kung Fu
- H) Whoa
Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- The Matrix Revisited
- Take the Red Pill
- What is Bullet Time?
- What is the Concept?
- Follow the White Rabbit
- Trinity Escapes
- Pod
- Kung Fu
- The Wall
- Bathroom Fight
- Government Lobby
- Government Roof
- Helicopter
- Subway
The Matrix Reloaded
Disc Two:
Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- The Matrix Unfolds:
- A) Pre-Load
- B) Get Me an Exit
- The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
- Enter The Matrix: The Game
- P.O.D. Music Video "Sleeping Awake"
- Reloaded/Revolutions Teaser
- The Matrix Reloaded Trailer
- The Matrix Reloaded TV Spots:
- A) Yes
- B) Jack In
- C) Nice Trick
- D) Story
- E) No Escape
- F) I'm In
- G) Prophecy
- H) Neo
Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Car Chase
- The Freeway Chase
- Oakland Streets and Freeway: Unseen Material
- Tour of the Merovingian's Garage
- Queen of the Road
- Arteries of the Mega-City: The Visual Effects of the Freeway Chase
- Foresight: Pre-planning the Mayhem
- Freeway Truck Crash: Anatomy of a Shot
- Fate of the Freeway
- Freeway Action Match
- Teahouse Fight
- Two Equals Clash
- Guardian of the Oracle: Collin Chou
- Unplugged
- Creating the Burly Brawl
- A Conversation with Master Wo Ping
- Chad Stahelski: The Other Neo
- Burly Brawl Action Match
- Spiraling Virtual Shot: Anatomy of a Shot
- I'll Handle Them
- The Great Hall
- Building the Merovingian's Lair
- Tiger Style: A Day in the Life of Chen Hu
- Heavy Metal: Weapons of the Great Hall
- The Exiles
- Big Brother is Watching: The Architect's Office
The Matrix Revolutions
Disc Three:
Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- Revolutions Recalibrated
- Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time
- CG Revolution
- Super Big Mini Models
- Super Burly Brawl
- Double Agent Smith
- Mind Over Matter: The Physicality of Matrix
- Future Gamer: The Matrix Online
- The Matrix Revolutions Trailer
- The Matrix Revolutions TV Spots:
- A) Give Anything
- B) Help
- C) Power
- D) Future
- E) Believe
- F) Control
Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Behind The Matrix
- Before the Revolution
- 3-D Evolution
- Crew
- Owen's Army: The Australian Art Dept.
- 2nd Unit: A World of Their Own
- Bill Pope: Cinematographer of The Matrix
- Masters of Light and Shadow
- Hel
- Coat Check
- Upsidedown Under
- Fast Break
- Exploding Man
- Gun Club
- The Extras of Club Hel
- Super Burly Brawl
- The Skybarn
- The Crater
- The Egg
- Anatomy of the Superpunch
- Super Burly Brawl
- New Blue World
- Geography of Zion
- The Ships
- Tour of the Neb
- The Matrix TV
- Logos Fight Expansion
- Siege
- Dig This
- The Siege Action Match
- Anatomy of a Shot: Mifune's Last Stand
- Building an APU
- Product of Zion
- Aftermath
- Revolutionary Composition
- The Glue
- Dane Tracks
- Cause and Effects
Disc 4:
The Animatrix DVD & The Roots ofThe Matrix (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
Side 1:
- Voices
- The Second Renaissance Part I Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- The Second Renaissance Part II Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- Program Commentary by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
- World Record Commentary by Takeshi Koike
- Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime
- Execution
- Making Final Flight of the Osiris
- Making The Second Renaissance Parts I & II
- Making Kid's Story & A Detective Story
- Making Program
- Making World Record
- Making Beyond
- Making Matriculated
Side 2:
- Return to Source: Philosophy & The Matrix (AKA. Brainiac's Revenge)
- The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction
Disc 5:
Burly Man Chronicles & The Zion Archive (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
Side 1:
- The Burly Man Chronicles
- Pre-Production
- Alameda Shoot
- Australia Shoot
Side 2:
- The Zion Archive - Photo galleries
- The Rave Reel
- The Matrix Online
- 2 Music Videos, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots
closing sentiments
So there you have it, the ultimate breakdowns of both The Ultimate Matrix Collection and The Complete Matrix Trilogy. In a lot of ways, this release mirrors Neo's journey in the film. Depending on if you take the red or blue pill you will either get the whole story or simply part of it. The choice is yours and in getting this release on dazzling HD-DVD, what a choice it is...
Dont't forget to also check out: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions