Settle back for the DVD experience of the year! Visit the bewildering, intriguing
and extraordinary world of The Matrix with its eyeboggling effects and exceptional
soundtrack – it's widescreen presentation is spectacular in every way. It boasts more
features than you can possibly explore in one sitting and the Dolby sound is crystal
clear.
Exploding with spine-tingling, sensational special effects, The Matrix dazzles
with sci-fi intrigue and mind-boggling technological concepts, effectively pitting
perceptions of reality against fantasy, the future with the present. With heart stopping
thrills, here is an engrossing and entertaining futuristic action thriller, where
stylistically the visuals are carefully balanced by plot and character.
Navigation is easy to follow with more extras than you could wish for. The voice
over commentary by cast and crew is excellent: Carrie-Anne Moss explains that the opening
action scene took six months of training and four days to shoot, and describes how
ferocious and intimidating the scenes were. The visual effects supervisor and editor
describe in great detail the extraordinary visual effects throughout: these comprise 20%
of the entire film. But they are quick to point out that all the effects are not for
effects sake but always support the story, as per the Wachowski Brothers' vision.
You may
be interested to know that the extraordinary martial arts combat scene between Keanu
Reeves and Laurence Fishburne has no stunt doubles, but is painstakingly choreographed -
the result of months and months of arduous training. We learn why the film has a green
tone and why all the blue colours were sucked out – all enhancing the visual density.
Remember that scene when the bug squirms its way into Keanu's belly button? Australian
special effects specialists Dfilm were responsible for this compellingly repulsive effect
and we hear nothing but praise for them. There are 38 scenes to select and there are
subtitles for the hearing impaired.
You can also 'Follow the white rabbit': when you see
the icon, press 'enter' and secrets of the Matrix are revealed. There's much more, but my
favourite feature is the 'music only' track with commentary by composer Don Davis, who
talks about the textural as opposed to thematic musical ideas and how musical textures are
layered over each other to signify the various realities. Seeing and hearing images and
music alone alert you to the frenetic musical adventures of this fabulous soundtrack and
how the tension is sustained throughout. The Matrix is a perfect example of the best of
DVD.
Louise Keller
