** out of ****
The Animatrix is a collection of short animated films related to the The Matrix universe. Of the nine shorts featured, I enjoyed four of them, and found the rest either dull or disposable.
The Second Rennaissance, parts 1 and 2, is the most compelling segment of the bunch. The story reveals how war broke out between man and machine. The rivalry is riveting and packed with memorable visuals, particularly the battle scenes, which are vividly gruesome and terrifying. True, this story is essentially little more than a Terminator rip-off, but it provides an interesting background for the trilogy, and works sufficiently in explaining the origins of The Matrix.
The Final Flight of the Osiris is directly related to The Matrix Reloaded. It opens with a playful swordfight between two individuals in a dojo, a black man and an Asian woman. They're in a simulated program, and are actually part of the crew of a ship called the Osiris. The title says it all, so you know what to expect from this short film, plot-wise. The attention-grabber is the computer animation, which is stunningly realistic and life-like.
A Kid's Story also relates to The Matrix Reloaded, focusing on a kid who finds himself doubting the world around him. His questions lead him to contact with Neo, who informs him to escape before the Agents get him. It's an enjoyable segment with a strong ending, and it would probably hold more suspense for those who haven't seen Reloaded.
I won't waste time going into details over the rest of the anthology. There are various reasons why the other stories didn't appeal to me, whether it be the art or the plots. The Wachowski Brothers wrote these stories, which puts on display ideas they would rather choose not to execute for their films, which is mostly mired in kung-fu, gun battles, and car chases. But that's another review altogether.
The Animatrix is a collection of short animated films related to the The Matrix universe. Of the nine shorts featured, I enjoyed four of them, and found the rest either dull or disposable.
The Second Rennaissance, parts 1 and 2, is the most compelling segment of the bunch. The story reveals how war broke out between man and machine. The rivalry is riveting and packed with memorable visuals, particularly the battle scenes, which are vividly gruesome and terrifying. True, this story is essentially little more than a Terminator rip-off, but it provides an interesting background for the trilogy, and works sufficiently in explaining the origins of The Matrix.
The Final Flight of the Osiris is directly related to The Matrix Reloaded. It opens with a playful swordfight between two individuals in a dojo, a black man and an Asian woman. They're in a simulated program, and are actually part of the crew of a ship called the Osiris. The title says it all, so you know what to expect from this short film, plot-wise. The attention-grabber is the computer animation, which is stunningly realistic and life-like.
A Kid's Story also relates to The Matrix Reloaded, focusing on a kid who finds himself doubting the world around him. His questions lead him to contact with Neo, who informs him to escape before the Agents get him. It's an enjoyable segment with a strong ending, and it would probably hold more suspense for those who haven't seen Reloaded.
I won't waste time going into details over the rest of the anthology. There are various reasons why the other stories didn't appeal to me, whether it be the art or the plots. The Wachowski Brothers wrote these stories, which puts on display ideas they would rather choose not to execute for their films, which is mostly mired in kung-fu, gun battles, and car chases. But that's another review altogether.