The Animatrix (2003) (V)

Directors:

Peter Chung
Andy Jones

Writers:

Andy Wachowski (screenplay) &
Larry Wachowski (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 June 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Animation | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The Animatrix is a collection of several animated short films, detailing the backstory of the "Matrix" universe, and the original war between man and machines which led to the creation of the Matrix.

Plot Keywords:

Visceral | Manga | Science Runs Amok | End Of The World | Grim

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Akio Ôtsuka	...	Thadeus (voice)
Clayton Watson	...	Michael Karl Popper AKA The Kid (segment "Kid's Story") (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pamela Adlon	...	Jue (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") / Manabu (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Hedy Burress	...	Cis (segment "Program") / Yoko (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Terrence 'T.C.' Carson	...	Clarence (voice) (as T.C. Carson)
Melinda Clarke	...	Alexa (segment "Matriculated") (voice)
Olivia d'Abo	...	Rox (segment "Matriculated") (voice)
Dane A. Davis	...	01 Versatran Spokesman (segment "The Second Renaissance, Part II") (voice)
John DeMita	...	Teacher (segment "Kid's Story") (voice)
Debi Derryberry	...	Kid (segment "The Second Renaissance, Part II") (voice)
John Di Maggio	...	Crew Man (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") / Kaiser (segment "Program") (voice)
Alex Fernandez	...	Tom (segment "World Record") (voice)
Jack Fletcher	...	Townsperson (segment "Beyond") / Sandro (segment "Matriculated") (voice)
Julia Fletcher	...	The Instructor (segments "The Second Renaissance, Parts I&II") / Narrator (segment "World Record") / Townsperson (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Bette Ford	...	Old Woman (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") (voice)
Rick Gomez	...	Pilot (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") (voice)
Tom Kenny	...	Operator (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") (voice)
Phil LaMarr	...	Duo (segment "Program") (voice)
Tress MacNeille	...	Housewife / Kenny (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Matt McKenzie	...	Agent #1 (segment "World Record") / Agent (segments "Beyond" and "A Detective Story") (voice)
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Trinity (segments "Kid's Story" and "A Detective Story") (voice)
Keanu Reeves	...	Neo (segment "Kid's Story") (voice)
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	Thadeus (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") / Cop (segment "Kid's Story") / Agent #2 (segment "World Record") (voice)
Rodney Saulsberry	...	Chyron (segment "Matriculated") (voice)
Dwight Schultz	...	Townspeople, Policeman, Exterminators (segment "Beyond") / Nonaka (segment "Matriculated") / Additional voice (segments "The Second Renaissance, Part I&II") (voice)
Allison Smith	...	Reporter (segment "World Record") (voice)
Kath Soucie	...	Pudgy / Masa / Sara (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Tara Strong	...	Crew Woman (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") / Nurse (segment "World Record") / Misha (segment "Beyond") (voice)
Jill Talley	...	Mother / Additional voice (segments "The Second Renaissance, Parts I&II") / Townsperson (segment "Beyond") (voice)
James Arnold Taylor	...	Additional voice (segments "The Second Renaissance, Parts I&II") / Miscellaneous (segment "Kid's Story") / Ash (segment "A Detective Story") / Raul (segment "Matriculated") (voice)
John Wesley	...	Dan's Dad (segment "World Record") (voice)
Victor Williams	...	Dan (segment "World Record") (voice)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | Germany:16

Company:

DNA

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: in the episode, "Matriculated". It happens when the Sentinels attack the humans in the lab near the end.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Washington D.C. is shown the first time in "the second renaissance", you see that directly behind the capitol, there are enormous skyscrapers, but the second time they show the capitol (in the riot scene), you can see the sky behind it.

Quotes:

The Instructor: In the beginning, there was man. And for a time, it was good. But humanity's so-called civil societies soon fell victim to vanity and corruption. Then man made the machine in his own likeness. Thus did man become the architect of his own demise.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

RENZ

Superior to "Reloaded"

After loving the original "Matrix" film and hating the recent "Reloaded," my enthusiasm for "Animatrix" was somewhere between curiosity and contempt. "Reloaded" was so slow and empty I hesitated to explore the "Matrix" concept any further as a possible waste of time. Well, the good news is that "Animatrix," while far from perfect, is much more interesting than "Reloaded" as it explores the original concept rather than try to act as a sequel.

"The Animatrix" is a collection of animated short stories, each one independent of the others. Each tale has its own interesting twist and can be enjoyed in any order (except for the two-part episode, obviously). The stories are based on the original "Matrix" film so if you haven't seen the sequel(s), don't worry. The segments are (in no particular order):

"Final Flight of the Osiris" This is a CGI animated story that is a prelude to the story of "Reloaded." While I'm not a big fan of 3D computer animation, it was actually quite good and I think it should have been filmed and included in "Reloaded." It would have made a much more exciting introduction.

"Program" This was a very brief but an exciting battle between two humans in the Matrix. As they fight they argue over the merits of the fight against the Machines. The ending is a bit of a cop-out but the story is still cool.

"The Second Renaissance" This is a two-part story that explains the war between Man and the Machines. Morpheus gives a brief overview of this story in the original "Matrix" film but "Renaissance" actually details why the war began. This was my favorite part of the "Animatrix," although its armageddon-like tale is a little depressing. It also features GRAPHIC VIOLENCE which will shock most viewers, so be prepared. Still, it is a fascinating explanation.

"World Record" This was a fun idea but artistically I was unimpressed. The characters' features and motions were so wildly exaggerated that it feels ridiculous. Could have been better.

"Kid's Story" This is another story which sets up an element of "Reloaded." It is brief and fun to watch, but not much goes on here.

"Detective Story" I would have enjoyed this piece a lot more if it hadn't been so rushed. The story is interesting but it begins and ends so quickly it's actually not that good. A shame.

"Beyond" This was a cool idea and I enjoyed it. It didn't have much to say but as a short film it was good.

"Matriculation" This is probably the weakest segment as it serves up mostly eye candy and little content. There is an interesting concept behind the action but most of the time you're just staring at wild colors and patterns.

While inconsistent I enjoyed "The Animatrix" and I recommend it. I would have liked to see "The Second Renaissance" and "Detective Story" expanded into feature length films (or at least hour-long OVAs).