Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Matrix Collection [HD DVD]

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"The Matrix" in high-definition video fulfils the prophecy of the A/V geek elders: this is audio and video of a higher order, a plunge into the future of home theater.

The video has little in common with some of the jacked-up, overly hot presentations of older films we've seen in high-def formats. The colors, though muted by design, feel lush and true to the theatrical vision. The experience is that of watching moving images on film, not television or DVD. (The series was produced "with future technology execution in mind," Warner points out.)

High-def has rarely delivered the stunning audio we heard about when the formats first hit the market, but here it is. The rear soundstage doesn't sound subordinated: when the audio engineers send a jolt to a specific, discrete speaker, the result is powerful and distinct. The percussive sounds of gunfire are unlike anything I've heard on disc or in theaters. Some soft-spoken dialogue sounded indistinct or muffled from the center channel, but given the overall quality this is likely in the original elements.

Flesh tones are true, but only on close-ups do you get that film-like definition. All that computer-land metal looks astounding; sharp with three-dimensional pop. When primary colors break through the algae-green atmospherics, they radiate but without the annoying signs of artificial boost.

"The Matrix" was the first DVD title to sell more than a million copies back in the launch era. This set probably won't be a breakthrough for high-def, but it most certainly is a milestone in quality. The set is available only in HD DVD. Blu-ray Disc versions of both collections will be released later this year.

Inside the case are five double sided discs; one disc for each of the films and the other two serving as a kind of data bank, with hours and hours of Matrix related info and behind the scenes footage and discussions.

Off the bat, the three movies look and sound absolutely fantastic in HD. The Matrix Trilogy is finally able to be seen as was intended. Special features on the film side of the discs are plentiful and easy to access. My personal favorite extra was the "In-Movie Experience", a nice little picture in picture supplement that plays over the length of the entire film and gives you just about everything you need to know in a nutshell concerning the making of the films.

The extras for the set are the exact same selection as the Ultimate Matrix Collection that was released on DVD a while back. All of these extras, including the Animatrix, are in standard 480p definition. If there is anything that keeps this set from being an instant purchase, it's this little detail. I really would've liked to have gotten the Animatrix shorts in HD as well but sometimes you have to take what they give you. Now, that's not to say that the Animatrix looks bad, it's just basically the exact same copy that was released before, even with the same menu screens.

If you are interested in the filmmaking process and want to know every little detail about what went into creating the Matrix films, then you might as well pick this set up because it has something like thirty-five hours of content that will keep even the most die hard Matrix enthusiast busy for days. It's the kind of package that most will not get to finish in it's entirety due to the sheer amount of content.

I'm a bit disappointed that the set isn't completely in HD (again, the choice to present the Animatrix in standard def is just mind boggling) but that's about the only complaint I have. I'm just glad that the Matrix Trilogy has made it to HD-DVD in pristine quality.

My review is more centered on the technology on the discs and the extras and features, and less on the movies. Everyone heard of the Matrix, and I will leave you to your opinion. However, not everyone is familiar with the posibilities of the HD-DVD format. Frankly - to date the Matrix Trilogy is hands down THE BEST implementation of a movie using the HD-DVD format in my opinion. From the miniature overlay in the bottom corner of the making of WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING THE SCENES THEMSELVES IN THE MOVIE, to the amount of extras (not on extra discs thank you) they really took their time. The Video quality is noticeably sharper and cleaner than the DVD version. As a comparison - I have the Ultimate Neo Collection that comes with the Neo Bust and the 10-disc DVD Collection. This 4-DVD set has all the same material in a much more organized and easily viewable format and it is much easier to find and use the information. Even a casual viewer has to give credit to the ability to see the special effects in a mini-window during the movie - easily shut off is they do not want it.

Overall if you are a fan of the Matrix seris this is a no-brainer of a purchase. If not then I don't know what to tell you other than this might be worth the money just to be able to show-off what HD-DVD can do other than be more expensive than the original DVD sets of these movies.

The reviews listed here so far are fairly confusing. A lot of people like it, but there are a handful of 1 star reviews, which, in my opinion, are wrong.

First of all, I can't see how ANYONE could compare the video quality of the first movie in HD to the original DVD release, no matter what resolution it's up-converted to. NO COMPARISON whatsoever. The original looks awful up-converted, the new HD version looks amazing. I've seen the movie a bunch of times, and I noticed a lot of things in the HD version I've never seen before.

As to the reviews where people are knocking it for being sold as a one-piece collection. You don't like it, don't buy it. The single release HD versions will be out later. I am giving it a 4 star instead of 5 star rating for pretty much the same reasons, but I can only see taking off 1 star because of the price/pack issue. The extras disk is well done, and of course the Animatrix wasn't re-released in HD. I doubt that half the original content was made in Hi-Def quality.

If you're a big, big fan of the original movie, and have a good HD setup, do yourself a favor and spend the money. They did a great job.

The pros and cons of the Matrix trilogy have been argued ad nauseum, so I will limit myself to the HD-DVD version.

The transfer to HD of these movies is astounding. The sound is crystal clear and the picture is stunning (in 1080). The reflections caught in Morpheus' sunglasses and the individual clarity of water drops brings these already visually stunning movies to another level.

My nitpick is with certain special effects, notably the bullet-time effect. When transferred to HD the bullet-time effect looks slightly grainy and pixelated compared to the rest of the film.

Nitpicks aside, this is still a very entertaining movie trilogy and the HD experience makes it exponentially better.

In HD, it's one kickin' flick! Well...three kickin' flicks.

I already have the standard def DVD version of this same set, but with a high def version available, and for only four dollars more than the HD "Complete Trilogy" at my local retailer I went ahead and got this version. I do not regret my purchase.

"The Matrix" has been completely remastered and looks astonishing! "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" are equally as impressive in HD!

The biggest thing of all (well, for those with full audio capabilities) is the Dolby TrueHD soundtrack...in "The Matrix" the difference is quite notable when compared to the standard def DVD set when agent Smith's face goes whizzing by...but the entire film collection is greatly enhanced by this feature.

If you've never seen any of the Matrices, I highly recommend this set. If you already own these on DVD and a decent upconverting DVD player, then you would be missing out on the crisper, more detailed image so weigh the cost and your own needs with this additional tidbit in the equation: if you have a way to hear TrueHD (and if you are willing to shell out again) then DEFINITELY upgrade...if you're listening through TV speakers, then just upgrade if you're willing to invest in this beautifully restored and transferred picture.

I was planning to give my DVD set to a friend since I've got the HD DVD version now, but the standard DVD's graphics printed on the DVDs as well as the packaging still makes the standard DVD set special in its own way (my friend may not be as much a fan of the series to appreciate it anyway). The only thing special about this HD DVD collection is the HD movie content (the "Matrix Experience" bonus disc is still SD) and IME features. The packaging is standard, and the discs are double sided with no graphics (if that sort of thing makes a difference to you). However, I did find the black box and labeling on "The Matrix Experience Two Disc Databank" to be a bit on the attractive side.

This set is a must have for a true fan of, or for any science fiction fan new to the series. "The Complete Matrix Trilogy" might be a better choice for anyone who doesn't really care about all the behind-the-scenes and bonus content, or who already has the "Ultimate" standard DVDs, as you wouldn't miss out on anything new with that purchase, you would just have two sets is all.

In addition to the HD picture detail, the TrueHD soundtrack is well worth the upgrade to or purchase of either set!

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I was unsure about buying this set due to the price tag and also to the fact that I already own the first two movies. Then they released clips of the trilogy through the Xbox Live marketplace and I was hooked. The downloaded clips were only in 720p but they were enough to have me wanting more. I sprung for the Ulimate collection on HD DVD and I was not dissapointed.

The visuals, immaculate. The sound, sublime. This truly is the LOOK AND SOUND OF PERFECT. These movies deserved more than any others to be made in HD. These films are THE definitive action flicks of this and perhaps any generation. They revolutionized the film industry and only they deserve to be presented in the most revolutionary technology.

ITS MATRIX IN HD DVD! What more do you need to know? Buy it. Now. You won't regret it.

I was a little disappointed when I saw that you could only order an HD version of the Matrix in a trilogy set. After watching the second two movies again, I'm not so upset. When we walked into the theaters for the second and third movies, we thought we were going to get something absolutely unfathomable, something that would change the way we look at action movies forever, something as good as the first Matrix movie. For us to think that was... well, it was stupid.

Going back and watching them again makes you realize that your expectations for a movie really color your view of it. If you expected to see the first Matrix again, you should have watched the first Matrix. Anything else; including the sequels; would be drivel. I'm glad they made me buy the sequels again, because it allowed me to watch the movies again with a fresh perspective. As it turns out, expecting a movie to be crap allows you to enjoy it, even when it is crap, like Speed Racer.

They really are good movies, but it would have taken an act of god to make them as good as the first.

The extra features in this set are wonderful. They had a giant "F"-ing special effects budget, and they made some of the most striking images ever to come out of a computer. It's fascinating to see how they did it.

Now all we need is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy out on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, with their special features, and all with the universe will be well.

Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Ultimate Matrix Collection HD is. You have to see it for yourself.

To paraphrase Morpheus is the only way I could honestly began any review of this brilliant collection. The picture quality is absolutely stunning! The blacks are jet black, the sickly greenish hue of the Matrix is perfectly pronounced but not overwhelming. The DETAIL is insane! Every detail appears as if your looking out of a window rather than looking at TV ...this is easily one of the best looking HDs I have seen( and believe me I have looked at a number of good HD transfers)!

For content freaks like me , I found the sheer volume of special features overwhelming! The "in movie experience" pip commentaries ( on all 3 movies ) is very cool and a must see feature. The documentarys on the flip sides were all very cool and enjoyable in their presentation ; I have heard some reviewers complain about some of the non movie features being regular dvd and not HD but I honestly could not care less.

Bottom line : If you own a HD player and have even a passing interest in the Matrix you MUST buy this set! It represents WHY HD is the format of choice for serious movie enthusiast.

This complete DVD set sees the Matrix trilogy finally released on high definition for the first time. You can also get the Complete Matrix Trilogy which features just the files. This set includes all the bonus material that has appeared on any of the DVD incarnations previously and packages them into a HD-DVD/DVD combo disc. The main downfall is that all of the previous material still appears in the 480i format and has not been given the HD treatment. This is a shame especially when it comes to the nine films that make up the Animatrix which would have looked great in 1080p.

Overall this box set is great value for money.