Big Picture Big Sound

Warner has finally announced the specs for the long anticipated Blu-ray Disc release of The Ultimate Matrix Collection. The seven disc set, which until now has only been available in high definition on the now defunct HD DVD format, is set to be released on October 14 with an SRP of $129.95 and for the first time ever will include a high definition version of The Animatrix.

In addition, the collection will include a digital copy of The Matrix (for use on Windows Media and iPod portable devices) and IME (In-Movie Experience), Warner's picture-in-picture, interactive feature set.  It's been speculated that the IME features are the reason why the set was delayed for Blu-ray release as Blu-ray players were not yet available that met the Blu-ray Profile 1.1 (BonusView) standard that could handle such content.  For Blu-ray the IME features on The Ultimate Matrix Collection were re-authored in BD-Java instead of HD DVD's HDi interactive programming language.

Where to Buy:

• Pre-order the Matrix Ultimate Collection (Blu-ray) on Amazon.com

Full specifications on The Ultimate Matrix Collection (Blu-ray):


Disc #1 - The Matrix (1999)
The box-office sensation follows the trials of Neo (Reeves), a young computer programmer, searching to determine the deepest reality of a post-Apocalyptic world. His journey uncovers a web of deceit and massive computer-generated illusions obscuring the truth. As Morpheus (Fishburne) said to Neo, “No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” The same is true for this mind-blowing movie.

Special Features (standard definition):

In-Movie Experience

• Commentaries
  • Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers 
  • Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber 
  • Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson 
  • Cast and crew commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta 
  • Composer commentary by Don Davis with music-only track
• The Matrix Revisited
• Behind The Matrix 
  • Making The Matrix The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes 
  • The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall 
  • The Code of the Red Dress 
  • The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake 
  • Agent Down 
  • But Wait- There's More
• Take the Red Pills
• Follow the White Rabbit
• Audio
• The Music Revisited
• Marilyn Manson Music Video Rock is Dead
• Trailers
• The Matrix teaser
• The Matrix trailer
• The Matrix TV spots

Disc #2 – The Matrix digital copy for use with Windows Media and iPod portable devices

Disc #3 - The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
In the powerful second chapter of the Matrix Trilogy, Neo (Reeves), Trinity (Moss) and Morpheus (Fishburne) lead the revolt against the Machine Army as it attacks Zion, the last human city on earth, unleashing their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation. In their quest to save the human race from extinction, they gain greater insight into the construct of the Matrix and Neo’s pivotal role in the fate of mankind.

What is the Matrix? The question is not yet fully answered. And it leads to another: Who created the Matrix? The answers lead to more worlds of bold possibility – and to a destiny that passes from revelations to Revolutions.

Special Features (standard definition):

In Movie Experience

• Commentaries
  • Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers 
  • Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber 
  • Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson
    
• Behind The Matrix
  • The Matrix Unfolds 
  • Pre-Load 
  • Get Me an Exit 
  • The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
    
• Car chases
  • The Freeway Chase 
  • Oakland Streets and Freeway: Unseen Material 
  • Tour of the Merovingian's Garage 
  • Queen of the Road 
  • Arteries of the Mega-City: The Visual Effects of the Freeway Chase 
  • Foresight: Pre-planning the Mayhem 
  • Freeway Truck Crash: Anatomy of a Shot 
  • Fate of the Freeway 
  • Freeway Action Match 
• Teahouse Fight 
• Unplugged 
• I’ll Handle Them 
• The Exiles
• Additional footage
• • Enter the Matrix: The Game 
• Enter the Matrix 
• Music video – P.O.D. Music Video Sleeping Awake
• Trailers
  
  

Disc # 4 - The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
In the exciting final chapter of the Matrix Trilogy, Neo (Reeves) takes another step forward in the quest for truth that began with his journey into the real world at the outset of The Matrix – but that transformation has left him drained of his power, adrift in a no-man’s land between the Matrix and the Machine World. While Trinity (Moss) holds vigil over Neo’s comatose body, Morpheus (Fishburne) grapples with the revelation that the One in which he has invested a life’s worth of faith is merely another system of control invented by the architects of the Matrix. During the stunning conclusion, the rebel’s long quest for freedom culminates in an explosive battle. As the Machine Army wages devastation on Zion, its citizens mount an aggressive defense – but can they stave off the relentless swarm of Sentinels long enough for Neo to harness the full extent of his powers and end the war?

Special Features (standard definition):

In-Movie Experience
Behind the Story

• Commentaries
  • Written Introduction by the Wachowski Brothers - The Wachowski brothers give you an introduction to their groundbreaking film
  • Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber - Dr. West and Ken Wilber discuss their thoughts and opinions of the film
  • Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson - Film Critics Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thompson express their thoughts on the film
• Behind The Matrix
  • Revolutions Recalibrated - Explore the story before the revolution 
  • Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time – See how the Bullet Time technique has evolved since the first film
  • CG Revolution – Go inside Zion and see how VFX were used in “The Siege” sequence
  • Super Big Mini Models – Take a look at how miniatures were used in the film
  • Double Agent Smith – Join the crew as they show you how they created multiple Agent Smiths for the final fight
  • Mind Over Matter: The Physicality of The Matrix - Going into training and learn what the actors physical demands were for the film
  • Future Gamer: The Matrix Online – See how the Matrix story continues in the video game
  • Before the Revolution - Explore the story before the revolution
  • 3-D Evolution - Scroll through Concept Art, Storyboards and more in this interactive feature
• Crew 
  • Owen's Army: The Australian Art Dept. - Take a look at how these amazing sets were constructed
  • 2nd Unit: A World of Their Own - Spend some time with the 2nd Unit Crew
  • Bill Pope: Cinematographer of The Matrix - Bill Pope offers insights to the filming of the Trilogy
  • Masters of Light and Shadow – Meet the folks that light up the sets
• Hel 
  • Coat Check - Take a look at how this virtually stunning fight sequence was achieved
  • Upside-down Under- Join the stunt coordinators as they explain in detail what had to be done for this film
  • Fast Break - Go behind the scenes and look at how the Special Effects for the film was created
  • Exploding Man - Follow Leo Henry as he shows you some of his craft
  • Gun Club - Enter the armory and take a look at the guns that were used
  • The Extras of Club Hel - Meet the extras from Club Hel
• New Blue World 
  • Geography of Zion – Take a look at all the different parts that make up Zion
  • The Ships - Learn how the ships got their looks
  • Tour of the Neb - Join Owen Paterson taking a tour of the Nebuchadnezzar
  • Matrix TV -Meet the crew behind all the screen graphics
  • Logos Fight Expansion - Take a behind the scenes look at the only fight that does not take place in the Matrix
• Siege 
  • Dig This 
  • The Siege Action Match 
  • Anatomy of a Shot: Mifune's Last Stand 
  • Building an APU 
  • Product of Zion - Sit down with the cast as they discuss their characters and how they got their roles
• Aftermath 
  • Revolutionary Composition 
  • The Glue - Meet the editing team and see how the film comes together
  • Dane Tracks - Hear from Sound Designer Dane Davis as he discusses his contribution to the film
  • Cause and Effects - Meet the VFX team and see what it took to complete all the shots in the film

Trailers

• The Matrix Revolutions Trailer --HD trailer
• The Matrix Revolutions TV Spots 
  • Give Anything 
  • Help 
  • Power 
  • Future 
  • Believe 
  • Control
    
    

Disc #5 – The Animatrix
The Animatrix presents nine original short animated stories directed by preeminent anime directors that provide a visionary fusion of CG-Animatrion and Japanese anime. Four of the nine were written by Larry and Andy Wachowski; all of the episodes are grounded in the world of The Matrix.

Special Features (standard definition):

Behind the Story

• Voices
  • The Second Renaissance Part I Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
  • The Second Renaissance Part II Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
  • Program Commentary by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
  • World Record Commentary by Takeshi Koike
• Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime 
• Creators
• Execution
  • Making Final Flight of the Osiris
  • Making The Second Renaissance Parts I & II
  • Making Kid's Story & A Detective Story
  • Making Program
  • Making World Record
  • Making Beyond 
  • Making Matriculated
    

Disc 6 & 7 The Matrix Experience Bonus Discs

Disc 6:
Side A: Roots of the Matrix

• Return to Source: Philosophy & the Matrix (AKA. Brainiac’s Revenge)
• The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction

Side B: Burly Man Chronicles

• The Burly Man Chronicles
• Pre-Production
• Alameda Shoot
• Australia Shoot

Disc 7:
Zion Archives

• The Zion Archive – Photo galleries
• The Rave Reel
• The Matrix Online
• 2 Music Videos, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots