The Matrix

(Note: This review refers to the Blu-ray version of the DVD.)

The cyber-mythology trilogy, previously celebrated in a 10-disc box set (as well a deluxe edition in the short-lived HD DVD format), gets the Blu-ray treatment in a seven-disc set. The original 1999 "The Matrix" recreated the cyber thriller as an action movie grounded in existential spiritualism and given the dimensions of a Greek myth. Borrowing from comic books, Hong Kong action films, cyber-punk fiction, and dozens of American science-fiction-conspiracy and tech-noir thrillers, the Wachowski brothers recreated life as a computer generated dream and gave us a once and future messiah in Neo (Keanu Reeves), the hot-shot computer hacker shown the truth by monotone warrior philosopher Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). The philosophy and rules of engagement blur in the frenzy of bullets and kung fu fighting, and the talky, pseudo-philosophical center sags for lack of action on repeat viewings, but the sheer kinetic energy and visual inventiveness drive the film beyond logic. The visuals become even more dazzling in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" (both 2003), where they push the potential of software to the limits. They don't come up with anything new, but it's bigger, louder, and mighty impressive, even if the dialogue sounds more and more like a preprogrammed video game. Also included is the Blu-ray debut of "The Animatrix" (2003), an anthology of nine original animated short films conceived and produced by the Wachowski Brothers as a companion piece to the trilogy and a tribute to Japanese anime, one of their visual inspirations.

While the films have all been mastered in high definition, the supplements are standard format and the three supplementary discs are standard DVDs, the same as in the previous box sets. The Blu-ray version, however, all but tosses out the interactive "Follow the White Rabbit" function from the DVD releases for the much more detailed and elaborately produced exclusive "In-Movie Experience," a mix of commentary and picture-in-picture footage to create a documentary running in parallel to the film. It's by far the best of such audio-visual tracks I've seen on a Blu-ray to date. The other supplements are the same as the DVDs: an introduction by the Wachowski brothers and commentary tracks on each feature (four commentaries on the original film, two on the others), the feature-length documentary "The Matrix Revisited," dozens of featurettes, galleries of artwork, designs and stills, and more.