Any Matrix fans around here?

[d_kendal]

I'm a big fan of the matrix, I've seen the movie a couple times, and I liked it a lot better the second time I saw it, there's a lot of small details you notice on another veiwing, I think it's an interesting plot, and besides that I'm just a fan of action movies in general. I've been reading about the sequels for it coming this year (Matrix Reloaded, coming out in mid May, and Matrix revolutions, supposed to come out sometime around November) and they sound like they should be great, because of the fact that the original did so well they have a very big budget this time around which allows for better effects and good actors (the special effects budget alone is 100 million, and the total is about 300M!!). The plot is being kept a closely gaurded secret, but theres been some information about the rest of the production out, supposedly there's going to be more of the ground breaking effects and computer work that everybody was amazed with in the first one, so I'm really looking forward to seeing all of it, and I hope they can keep a decent plot, because no matter how good the special effects are, if it's a bad plot it's still a weak movie. these are a couple movies I'll definitely go to without waiting for reviews to hear what they're like, I can't wait.

- David

[Blacknight]

I loved it when I first saw it. I'd go see something like it again. I like them, as apparently you do also, that keep you guessing (good plot) and have lots of cool special effects (like your new avatar!!!)

The LOTR comes close with the special effects, as did the Star Wars ones in their day (the first ones - or should I say last...depends on how you look at it) Terminator and Total Recall had some interesting plot twists and special effects as well.

I think the appeal for Matrix was the more modern day theme. Like someone could knock on your door someday and you could do those things too. I'm looking forward to any sequels there may be in this, with the hope that with a bigger budget I will be even more impressed than I was with the first.

[Mig]

In the original Matrix, there's a scene in a subway, where our hero backflips (if I recall correctly) into the subway tracks. Anyway, if you watch carefully you can see the wires

Mig

[mama alligator]

Your avatar is great, David!!
How did you make it? **
Yes, I'm really looking forward to seeing the 2 new movies too.


** Edit: Oops, just saw the Other thread, so never mind
I'll go read up. I'm having trouble getting Image Ready to work properly.

[d_kendal]

Mig - ooh, I'll definitely have to watch for that one next time I watch it!!

mama alligator - thanks!

- David

[VisualEyes]

If you liked The Matrix and you can't bear the wait until The Matrix Reloaded, you should definately check out The Animatrix. Quoting from the article What Is The Animatrix by Brian Linder:

It seems that producer Joel Silver has tapped some of Japan's leading anime talent to create the Animatrix series, set for a Fall 2002 debut.

Silver dishes new details on the saga saying, "We're planning a series of animated short subjects that will kind of take the world from the world we're in today to the world of the Matrix and how we got there. We have assembled a team of unbelievably talented and renowned Japanese animation directors and artists to create a series of short films that will be accessible either on the Internet or eventually on DVD."

"We're intending to put the animes out on a regular basis," says Silver. The 10-episode series is set to conclude before the release of the first sequel to The Matrix in 2003.

Currently, only the first two episodes have been posted online. Optionally, you can see one of the later episodes "The Final Flight of the Osiris" in theaters playing with Dreamcatcher.

Truman

[d_kendal]

interesting, thanks for posting that link, I downloaded the first one (big file, about 130MB for the highest rez version) and watched it, it's some excellent animation. just to warn anybody who wants to watch it there are some pretty graphic scenes in the clip.

- David

[Jakaleena]

I'm not as big a fan of action movies as I am Sci Fi, but I loved the Matrix for both reasons - have seen it about a bazillion times and can't wait for the new ones.... I think my favorite part is the one where they show up with the arsenal to rescue Morpheus and just demolish the lobby.... Funny how that's maybe the most "action" and least "Sci Fi" part of the movie...

(love your avatar too, David )

[d_kendal]

thanks Jak! I know what you mean, that really was a great scene, I read a interview somebody did with carrie-ann moss and she was talking about the making of it, not surprisingly it was pretty demanding, she actually sprained or broke her ankle when she did the stunt where she has to run up the column and flip off of it, but she still somehow managed to pull it off, although it took it's toll and she had to take time off for a while after it. I can't wait, only a month and a couple weeks to the opening of Matrix 2!!

- David

[G. Couch]

Hey David...I managed a ticket to the preview tomorrow night! I'll let you know if it's any good. ( I won't spoil anything though )

[d_kendal]

oh man, I'm SOOOOO jealous!!!! I can't wait for the 15th to roll around (although I'm busy all day so I won't be able to go until saturday, but NOTHING is going to stop me from going then!!) I've watched all the trailers on the website and seen some things on TV about the effects and I can't wait to see it all, the music is really good too, I've been listening to the soundtrack, there's some really great stuff from some of the artists that did the score and various other things on the first one (i.e. Don Davis, Rob Dougan)

- David

[G. Couch]

Well, I just got back from the preview screening...Surprisingly, there were some empty seats which is odd since they deliberately overbook! As for the movie...I think if you enjoyed the first one you will enjoy the sequel, but it probably will not seem as innovative this time around. It's basically more of the same with better effects.

The action scenes are very good but in between you get endless dialogue that basically says nothing and does not do much for the plot...at times you just beg for someone to show up who does not speak like they are reading from greek mythology...you get pretty tired of hearing about "Oracles, Prophecies and Chosen Ones". Unlike the first movie, I did not feel like the plot held the movie together...it was more like an excuse just to get to the next action scene. The action is breathtaking and there are some scenes that really are amazing...especially the ones where they are fighting on a busy freeway...it just feels a bit empty compared to the first movie. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 6.5...entertaining but not as good as the first one.

I'm not sure if the final theatrical release will have this but at the end of the credits there is a preview for the third movie, so you might want to sit through to the end. Another note...if you know who Cornell West is, watch for his cameo.

[d_kendal]

interesting, thanks for the review Greg! I'll watch for the Cornel West Cameo, I found this quote about it:

Cornel West will appear in The Matrix sequels, playing a Zion Elder called Counselor West. He was invited by Larry and Andy Wachowski, the movies' writer-director team, who'd read West's philosophical writings and wanted to incorporate him into the script.

on this website here
It doesn't really surprise me that the dialigue is kind of weak, sequels to surprise hits like the Matrix never seem to be as good as the original. But heck, I'm just a big fan of good action so as long as the action seens are impressively done and effective then then I'll be a satisfied viewer! The freeway scene is one I'm definitely looking forward to, aparently they actually built a freeway way out somewhere in the back country of Australia specifically for this, so I'm sure that's where a sizable chunk of the budget went. But still, no matter how much they spend on special effects etc, I don't think they'll be able to equal what they pulled off for the first one, it's amazing, I've seen it at least 3 or 4 times and each time I notice new details and things, it really was a great movie.

- David

[G. Couch]

Originally posted by d_kendal
... But still, no matter how much they spend on special effects etc, I don't think they'll be able to equal what they pulled off for the first one, it's amazing, I've seen it at least 3 or 4 times and each time I notice new details and things, it really was a great movie.

I only saw the first one once...(on TV no less!) ...but if I were to judge the movie purely on effects I would say it out does the first one. Of course, the fact that it was a huge screen with stadium seating and THX sound, may have influenced my view a bit!

I had no idea they actually built a freeway! Those scenes had to be some of the most complex ever filmed.

[Toad]

The waitin's over - it premiere's tonite.

[d_kendal]

Originally posted by G. Couch
I had no idea they actually built a freeway! Those scenes had to be some of the most complex ever filmed.

from what I've seen on the previews it looks pretty stunning, I'm excited to get the DVD and I really hope they have a good amount of behind the scenes footage for that stuff, it'd be really interesting to see how they pulled it all off.

- David