The Matrix / The Matrix Revisited (1999)

A 2-pack collection of the cyberthriller The Matrix and the making-of documentary DVD The Matrix: Revisited. The Matrix (1999, 136 min.) - A computer hacker is recruited by a team of rebel warriors to defeat advanced artificial intelligence machines that are maintaining a virtual reality duplicating life in the 20th century. The Matrix: Revisited (2001, 163 min) - Experience the nuts, the bolts, the creative thunder of the cyberthriller that thrust moviemaking into a new dimension with never-before-seen footage from the original movie and exclusive reflections by those who lived it. Also includes previews of the Matrix sequels and the upcoming Matrix Anime. The Gold Collector's Edition is packaged in a luxury fitted slipcase and contains a 16-page commemorative book, senitype image from the movie, and 35mm film frame.

Buy the "Ultimate Matrix Collection" instead, it's cheaper and has more features.

Shortly following the DVD release of the first "Matrix" film, Warner Bros. used a smaller studio called Creative Design Art to make a specially designed package to help promote their incredibly successful movie. Their first result was this, the "Platinum Limited Edition DVD Collector's Set," which originally retailed for $79 (or close to that). In my opinion, even if you're a hardcore fan of the Matrix films, this packagejust isn't worth the money, It comes in a box about two-inches thick, which makes you think you're really getting your money's worth, but as soon as you open it up -- you become disappointed. Most of this packaging is taken up by a flimsy plastic tray that contains a 35mm celluloid film frame of with a nice blown-up photo. Then there are 8 "limited edition" lobby cards prints (which are really just postcard-sized stills from the movie), a full-sized poster, and the the same copy of the family you probably already own -- in the standard DVD keep-case (the cheapist kind of DVD packaging). All of the other extras mentioned in this package (full-length audio commentary, "Take The Red Pill" featurette) are the same features found in original DVD release. Although it's Out-Of-Print now, I've noticed you can get one used for around $20, which isn't too bad, but it's probably not even worth the effort if you already own the first movie on DVD.

Warner Bros. wasn't entirely pleased with the sales generated from the Platinum Limited Edition, so they asked Creative Design Art to create a more definitive version for consumers to buy. Their second project was the one shown here, "The Matrix / The Matrix Revisited (The Gold Edition)" which retailed for $100 (and can also be found on Amazon.com). The one advantage of this new package was that it also contained the just-released 163-minute behind-the-scenes DVD "The Matrix Revisited" along with the original movie, but it also has a few "carryovers" from Creative Design's last project (namely, the senitype image from the movie, and a 35mm film frame). The cheap plastic insert from before has now been replaced with a luxury fitted slipcase, and a 16-page commemorative book. But still, all of the features found on the same previously released DVDs are found here. Aside from the packaging, there's no additional footage whatsoever, whether it's in the form of deleted scenes or bonus videos. The film frame doesn't even have "Dolby Digital" printed on it like it's supposed to, which means that it's not even a real frame of film (because that would cost the publisher money) -- it's just a cheap no-sound fabrication.

Eventually, Warner Bros. would release a definitive collection of their own instead of using a third-party, entitled "The Ultimate Matrix Collection" which is the 10-disc DVD box-set of all the movies and their corresponding "Revisited" features, plus more. Even better, you can get the ultimate collection for around $30 used on Amazon.com. Actual film frames are somewhat interesting, but if you don't really care about that kind of thing, then just get the "Ultimate Matrix Collection." You really do get a lot more for your money. March 7, 2006

The Revolution

The Matrix redefined the movies and has been copied to no end. Perfect in every sense: acting, story, depth and effects. Phylosophically deep to the point of spawning several books and essays on it's study. Ignore second and third parts. July 17, 2004

The fil is great but this pack is not worth the price.

Ok, the movie is GREAT, I love it, but this edition did not satisfy my. The dvds are just the same that were released previously, the film and the matrix revisited. No extras, no deleted scenes ( I believe there are none though :) ), no extra making of... Pay more than the lord of the rings - the fellowship of the ring, that even come with the statues, and 5 DVDs, 2 only for the movie, with great compression quality and dts sound. they could at least reencoded the film and removed the documentary from the movie dvd, saving space for better video quality, using more disc space. There are no other languages, but english, both for audio and subs. I regret payin 90 buck for a fake film frame, tha not even has dolby digital sound printed on it, like the Star wars episode 1 vhs special edition had. PLEASE buy the normal combo: the matrix and the matrix revisited, its the same thing for much less money. May 15, 2003

Absolutely Amazing

This film is simply one of the best films I have ever seen...add the amazing gift things (high quality slipcase, 35mm image in frame, etc.) which I'm always a sap for, and you get simply the best "Matrix" version out there. Plus there's the indispensable "Matrix Revisited" DVD, which has great insight into how they made the film, plus info about the upcoming ones (Matrix 2 and 3). I can't recommend this enough.

If you're buying this (which you should, definitely), and you're into the psychology part of it (reality vs. simulated reality, etc.), then buy these as well:

"Simulacra and Simulation (The Body, in Theory: Histories of Cultural Materialism)" by Jean Baudrillard

"Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems and the Economic World" by Kevin Kelly

"Introducing Evolutionary Psychology" by Dylan Evans; et al

"The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (Popular Culture and Philosophy, V. 3)" by William Irwin

Oh, and a Merry Christmas to you all. :-) December 25, 2002

OK! Be a sap

The Bros. Wachowski (aided by the secret people who control things) take the basic story line of the life, both past and future (as recorded in Revelation, Daniel, and the 4 Gospels) of Jesus, rewrite the characters a bit, add some great special effects, add LOTS, and I mean LOTS of schmootz, and even more creative arrogance (and license), and shake it, up until it just barely looks like plagiarism, take out a ton of difficult to deal with matter, garnish with contemporary nonsense, and voila...You have The Matrix.

These guys get rich and laugh all the way to the bank while you work your 9 to 5 and believe with all your heart that they are geniouses.

If you just have nothing more to waste money on, go for it, but understand that the Hollywood crowd has discovered new ways to milk BILLIONS from the very foolish viewing public. October 28, 2002

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