The Animatrix Gift Set (Includes CD Soundtrack)

This was the most brilliantly interpeted, scripted and thought provoking thing I have seen in a very long time. The DVD gives you background filler for what the Matrix is and the Wachowski brothers allow some of Japan's best anime artists to interpet the 9 different stories on their own. I think, just like art, each viewer will have a different type of experience. You have 9 wonderful compelling stories and the visual style is so different that it adds much value to the telling of the stories. The brothers had a vision and clearly the Matrix effected many people and, what a wonderful gift they gave by incorporating the world of anime into the telling of their vision. But not only is it visually stunning and stylish, but the music is dead on. There are all sorts of morals in the stories. From SECOND RENNAISSANCE'S man's destructive nature and his down fall, to the sort of, don't-play-with-fire nature of MATRICULATED and the playfulness and joy of BEYOND. Plus the DVD special features take us into each director of each piece explaining his "art" and how the film the Matrix effected them. We even get a little history on the orgins of anime. It was just really enjoyable to watch people who are so passionate about their craft and about the Matrix. I think you will enjoy this immensly and take something out of it yourself.

I'm surprised to read reviews that marginalize the commentary. Why? The commentary says the Matrix and the Wachowski brothers' work is essentially inspired by the Japanese animation style. Not just in visual perspectives, but Japanese animation and other media has long had an apocalyptic thread of reference (tied to the history of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings, of course). So for a series of anime shorts to be then based on the Matrix, things come full circle. It also says some writers chose to write their interpretations purely from scratch, rather than use existing references the brothers provided. So I think it's easier to view these episodes as side stories more or less exploring the concept of the Matrix, although a few had specific references and connections to the main story. It's slightly comparable to fan fiction, but with much more structure, and full official support, although I think that's a relatively crude and incomplete analogy, now that I think of it. I mean, c'mon, those that visited [...] when the promo website FIRST started-- weren't you thinking of the conceptual possibilities of the Matrix then? I think the brothers stumbled a bit with Reloaded and Revolutions, and I seem to recall other fans were similarly disappointed. Again, as The Animatrix is not fully bound by the main story, I think that makes it a gem, and worth keeping in a collection even if you don't collect the other two movies. It's certainly not a piece that is not much more than promotional fluff (as others pointed out with other animated tie-ins to other movies). It more or less stands well on its own. You could view this before the first movie and I don't think it'd necessarily spoil things. Oh, and I'm one of those movie soundtrack nuts, so I did buy this packaged with the CD soundtrack and enjoyed it as well. I think it related much better to The Matrix movie, actually (as it did have voice samples from the movie) but then it didn't have commercial artists singing songs that weren't necessarily written with the movie in mind (which is fairly typical of studio movie soundtracks, including The Matrix).

This is my MOST favorite CD. I always have it in my car and pop it in when I'm driving my friends around. Everyone who has listed to it loves it and comments on how unique the music is. I've been in love with this film since seeing it as a teen on Toonami.

I was never a fan of the Matrix trilogy (as the Nostalgia Critic says, there are more of us). But I adore animation and watched this set of short stories on an anime streaming site, then decided to purchase it because I liked it so much. Each story is a small piece of the Matrix world and it explains it beautifully. I wish the Matrix had had more of this style of storytelling. Even if you don't always understand what is going on (Matriculated) you do feel for and understand the characters. I highly recommend this piece for all.

This film is great to own and the low price ($4 including shipping!) and the decent soundtrack, this is worth owning. Even if you aren't a fan of the Matrix films. The Animatrix is certainly better than the Matrix sequels.

This DVD included 9 different anime stories which follow the theme of the original Matrix movie. Each of them is very well done, but far too short. I think the creatures of each feature could have done much better by lengthening their creations. I highly recomend this DVD. The CD was a different story. If it were not for the CD in this set, I would have given this a five star rating. If I were to do it all over again, I would have only purchased the DVD and skipped the CD. The music on the CD was original, but not very exciting. This music goes quite well in the movies themselves. But not on a stand alone basis. Save the extra money and forget the CD.

The Animatrix is better than the movies. A must see if you are a fan. I do love The Matrix and The Matrix: Reloaded. We all know Revolutions is meh. Too bad the Wachowski bro... I mean, sisters, have had a difficult the finding that level of success again. Cloud Atlas was great but I couldn't get halfway through Jupiter Ascending even though I like the two leads.

Could have been better. "Final Flight of the Osiris" was good but some of the others were left field. Music was appreciated but then I am a fan. The animations could have been done far better and it looks like a second grade attempt. Still I am content with the purchase.

Looking forward to watching at the weekend.

Por fin conseguí The Animatrix, la peli de cortos animados donde se nos muestran más detalles del universo Matrix, muy superior a todas las pelis posteriores que salieron de la franquicia. Llegó rápidamente y en perfectas condiciones. Esta edición incluye el DVD, un CD con el soundtrack y una cajita protectora. Incluye idiomas Inglés y Japonés, así como Subtítulos en Inglés, Español y Francés. Una compra obligatoria para todo fanático de la primera película de The Matrix.

Great 👍

i love the matrix (and i do like the two sequels, but this is far better than reloaded or revolutions) i don't watch much anime but i found the differing animation styles throughout very good and appropriate to what that episode was about (i.e. the sexy one at the beginning is more realistic, the trippy ones are in a really bright carttony style). my boyfriend watched this with me and he is a massive anime fan and he absolutely loved it. we agreed that many of the stories were really interesting, however prepare to be chilled by the history ones about the war better us and the machines :s

I love the matrix and the animatrix fills in loads more of the story. I gave my copy to my brother and bought this as a replacement. It was in good condition and cheap cheap cheap. Recommended seller.