I picked up a copy of the Animatrix at the weekend, and enjoyed watching the nine pieces of animation on it which contribute to the back story and cosmology of the Matrix movies. Each piece has a different style and, generally, director - the exception being The Second Renaissance parts I and II, and Kid's Story and A Detective Story.
I've always enjoyed Japanese anime, and while I don't consider myself an expert, I have watched work by all of the directors represented on the DVD. It's certainly a sign of the interest the original Matrix movie generated among anime directors that so many gifted directors agreed to work on this project.
Did the DVD succeed? Yes and No. The animation is top notch, but the stories sometimes fail to deliver. The first piece, Final Flight of the Osiris was written by Andy and Larry Wachowski, and directed by Andy Jones - best known for the Final Fantasy movie. This short is pure CG, and it looks pretty damn amazing in places - and it should, considering they spent $5 million just on this one short. However, considering the cost you'd think they'd have done more with the storyline. This story is intended to explain how, in Matrix: Reloaded, the human rebels know that the machines are drilling down to Zion. It starts with an exercise in a training programme, and no surprise, for anime, by the end of it the female lead is wearing a minimum of clothing - to show off CG butt cheeks of course! But, the "wow" factor will make you forget some of the more pandering moments.
The Second Renaissance parts I and II are also written by the Wachowski bros, and directed by Mahiro Maeda who is famous for a popular Japanese series Blue Submarine No. 6. Both pieces are narrated by the Zion library and describe the history of how the war between man and the machines began, and how the Matrix was established. In this piece humanity is shown as being culpable for the struggle, and is brought low by its own fear and ambition. These pieces bring us back to normal Anime style, and it's gorgeously executed. The next short is Kid's Story, written by the Wachowski bros, and directed by Watanabe, who is famous for the TV series Cowboy Bebop. I'm a fan of Cowboy Bebop, and I was looking forward to seeing the work of Watanabe on this DVD. The animation is unusual in this short. It's very fluid and as it progresses it gets more disturbed and messy. It follows the story of a kid called Popper, and how he is awakened to the Matrix - Neo and Trinity briefly appear in this piece. It also introduces a minor character from Matrix: Reloaded.
Article comments
1 - Michelle
What an incident. They showed the Animatrix yesterday on German television. I didn't forget to tune in and was surprised by most of the stories. My favourite is "Kid's Story" shortly followed by "Beyond". "World Record" and expecially "Matriculate" I didn't like at all. Mostly the last was totally lacking a plot and seemed to just show of a kind a psychedelic color-boost.
However, I liked the slightly melancholic tone throughout all of the stories.
2 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Maura, very nice perspective. Welcome!
3 - Peter
Overall, I liked the Animatrix DVD. One of my favorite parts is whenever the asian looking girl repeatedly sways her realistic butt cheeks to the left and right while she ponders her attack on her boyfriend. I cannot help to notice that this girl's crotch area was repeatedly emphasized in the first film. Why was the girl, or just her body, the most obvious element of this film?
4 - Bat Boy
besides for looking alright I thought the beginning of final flight... was pointless. I very much enjoyed Matriculated for adding another dimension to the man vs machine battle. This is a cool DVD, still I found it difficult to sit and watch in one sitting.
5 - The Minus Man
The Animatrix was great.. although some of the episodes left me hungry for more, just the fact that they were made was great. I loved the renaissance episodes. It left you feeling very sympathetic to fictional characters.