The Matrix Revolutions DVD Review:

As the machines get ever closer to Zion, the humans prepare to make their last stand against the rampaging sentinels. Neo (Reeves) has other matters to attend to as Agent Smith (Weaving) is becoming more and more powerful as his numbers grow. He and Trinity (Moss) head into the heart of the machine world with an offer that could end the war and destroy the escalating Smith menace.

Everything that has a beginning has an end and the finale of The Matrix trilogy doesn’t disappoint.

As the Wachowski brothers bring their Sci-Fi epic to its exhilarating conclusion, the question most fans will be asking is, does it conclude all the plotlines thrown up by the original and Reloaded. The answer is yes and no.

The movie continues straight from the point that we left off with no big flashy opening or recap of what happened in the second movie. The film starts quite slowly as we discover what has happened to Neo after his altercation with the sentinels put him into a coma and to be honest this does drag abit. If fact this entire portion of the movie and its relating storylines could happily be removed (except for Monica Bellucci’s reappearance and the Oracle moments) making the two sequels one three hour movie. It just feels like you are plodding along and watching filler so that Warner could get two movies for their money. But after this the movie moves into top gear.

The invasion of Zion battle sequence is simply stunning. This is exhilarating, relentless excitement and worth the price of the ticket alone. It is a roller coaster thrill ride of epic science fiction proportion and is currently the best use of computer graphics in cinema. You will not believe your eyes as the humans make their last stand against the machines, as the movie drags you into the thick of the battle and doesn’t let go for over twenty minutes.

Then just as you start to get your breath back, you realise that Agent Smith and Neo haven’t been on screen for a while. The titanic battle you knew was coming as soon as the movie starts, does not disappoint. As the two archenemies face-off in the rain, you can’t help but get slightly excited, as you just know this is going to be good.

The performances again are first rate. We all know Keanu Reeves isn’t the world’s greatest actor but you just can’t imagine anyone else playing Neo. The man gives his life and soul for the part and successfully transforms himself into the superhero action star for the new millennium. Carrie-Anne Moss brings even more passion to Trinity and Lawrence Fishburne is the coolest cyber-monk in movie history.

The star of all three films for me however, is Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith. The character he and the Wachowski’s have created will go down as one of the great villains of the silver screen. His performance is tremendous. He has all the best lines, all the best moments and by far the best screen presence. The man deserves to become a superstar.

Support is also good from Jada Pinkett-Smith as Niobe, Harold Perrineau Jr as Link and Mary Alice as the new Oracle (which is cleverly explained after the sad death of Gloria Foster).

If The Matrix was birth, Reloaded was life, Revolutions is definitely Death. The story comes almost full circle and ties up most of the plot lines raised in the first two movies. It does leave a few things open and some fans and maybe the studio may cry sequel but I think the non-Hollywood ending is both daring and completely unexpected.

Whether The Matrix trilogy will be held in the same regard in twenty years as the original Star Wars trilogy is now remains to be seen but this is still, by far the best and most creative piece of science fiction in many years. The Wachowski’s have delivered big style and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Everything that has a beginning has an end and for The Matrix this is an astounding one.

Star Rating = * * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, Warner Bros. has done a great with the last Matrix movie. The picture is crystal clear with really deep blacks and that unique Matrix green tinge is evident throughout. The Dolby Digital soundtrack is also first rate coming into its own during the siege of the Dock and the Super Burly Brawl.

BONUS FEATURES

DISK ONE
Trailers
Watch the trailers from The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Animatrix and The Matrix Revolutions

Weblink
A link to the official Matrix website.

DISK TWO

Revolutions Recalibrated (27.05 mins)

Taking you behind the scenes of the final film of the trilogy, this featurette features interviews with the cast and crew behind the project. All the key scenes, such as the Super Burly Brawl and the attack of the machines are covered with mentions about how they were filmed and how the special effects were added. The sad death of Gloria Foster is also covered and how the filmmakers had to deal with the situation.

CG Revolution (15.10 mins)

A look at how the digital effects were created for the third movie. All aspects of the effects are discussed including, the complexities of mixing sets with CG, blending actor performance into a CG environment and creating the vehicles and cityscapes.

Neo Realism (12.24 mins)

Looking at the evolution of the Bullet Time technique pioneered for the first movie and how it evolved into Virtual Cinema. New techniques such as Universal capture for facial expressions and motion capture for movement are also highlighted.

Super Big Mini Models (8.47 mins)

Building and blowing up miniatures for the Digger, dock and dock gate sequences are explored in this featurette. It shows how CG can’t replace actual models exploding because it is extremely difficult to map debris.

Double Agent Smith (7.11 mins)

This featurette reveals the massive undertaking needed to create the 230 Agent Smiths needed for the climatic fight in Revolutions. Creating over 150 dummy Smiths and 80 masks for extras, the makeup and effects teams really had their work cut out for them.

Mind Over Matter (8.04 mins)

Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving talk about getting into shape and re-learning martial arts for the increased amount of fight sequences. The new techniques used for fighting while flying and how much pain both the actors and the stunt people had to go through are also revealed.

Future Gamer – The Matrix Online (10.59 mins)

The new online PC game is showcased. The set after the events of the final film, the game continues the story of the Matrix by allowing you to enter into that world. Giving you the ability to create your own character and join an environment filled with thousands of other users, The Matrix Online could be one of the biggest games ever envisaged.

Super Burly Brawl
Watch the climatic fight between Neo and Agent Smith via three different viewing options. You can watch either the behind the scenes footage, the storyboards or the actual footage in a large window on the screen, while the remaining two continue in smaller windows at the bottom.

Before the Revolution
The Matrix timeline from the beginning of the machine revolt to the start of the events in the movie are showcased text form for you to read.

3D Evolution
A visual record of get design facet of the movie from concept art to finished design.

OVERALL

The DVD bonus features for The Matrix Revolution are far superior to the Reloaded DVD but you still get the feeling that Warner are going to release a box set or special edition versions of the film. The featurettes are very informative but slightly too short on details and interviews. The complete lack of any on screen interviews of the Wachowski’s is also frustrating (but this was there choice). The presentation quality of the movie is extremely good however making the DVD a must buy for all Matrix fans.

DVD Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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