Rating: 
Summary: Small treat, Great art.
Review: Most of the animation from these shorts is very good. However, their shortness does not allow for a very satisfying pay-off. If you know the animators and like their work it is worth watching. This is just a taste and it left me wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: Okay, but not very re-watchable.
Review: I was really psyched to get this DVD, and would spend all night downloading the previews from the website before it's release. Unfortunately, the best clips are the ones that are available for free download off of the site, and the extras really didn't add much to me. The only exception is the short entitled "Beyond" which is an incredible story about a glitch in the Matrix. Here's the play-by-play:1. Final Flight of the Osiris: CGI short by Square (Final Fantasy) which is the setup for the invasion of Zion. It's okay, but I'm not a big fan of Square's CGI work (the characters look too artificial and creepy for me). 2. The Second Renaissance (2 parts): Supposedly, this was the first idea for the Matrix "prequel" but now redone as a short anime. Essential viewing for those who want to know how the whole Matrix got started, and tells the tale of the AI revolution, and how the sky was scorched. #3 in rank for me. 3. Kid's Story: Uh...that annoying twerp that bothers Neo when he returns to Zion in Reloaded? This is his story. Doesn't make him any more sympathetic in my opinion. 4. Program: Predictable story, but great great great samurai action! 5. World Record: An athelete's record breaking run violates the parameters of the Matrix. Just weird. 6. Beyond: The best in the bunch, sweet tale about some kids who find a glitch in the Matrix. Incredible animation, and the voice acting here is the best on the whole disc. 7. A Detective Story: From the maker of the popular Cowboy Bebop. A private investigator searches for Trinity. Outstanding story and an anime version of Trinity! The #2 tale on the disc. 8. Matriculated: From the maker of Aeon Flux. Human commandos capture and retrain machines. If you saw that, you've seen this. Makes little sense, and ends badly.
Rating: 
Summary: Major Multi-Media Masterpiece
Review: I have to admit that as much as I was anticipating the release of "The Matrix Reloaded" in the Spring of 2003, I was not particularly impressed with the effort. Sure, the special effects were terrific and (most of) the action sequences were amazing, but the movie eventually disappeared up its own @rse and drowned in a sea of metaphysical philosophical nospeak. It really didn't add much to the story as introduced in the original "Matrix" movie.
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Which is why I find "The Animatrix" so much more rewarding and entertaining to watch. I was skeptical about the notion of an animated interpretation of "The Matrix" (what would be the point as beautifully presented as it was in live action?), but not only does "The Animatrix" expand dramatically on the themes of the first "Matrix" movie, this expansion also enables it to stand (to a large degree) independently of the first movie altogether.
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"Final Flight of the Osiris" starts the program; the graphics are amazing enough, but the true reason for this episode is to introduce the video game "Enter The Matrix" (and to show off the animation skills of its creators); it looks great, but it has little purpose.
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"The Second Renaissance (Pts. I & II)" does more to explain the cirumstances under which the characters in "The Matrix" movies have found themselves; extremely well-thought out and executed.
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"Kid's Story" is a bit of a Gen-X take on the "awakening" experience detailed in the first "Matrix" movie (guest appearances from Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the English translations are a nice touch).
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"Program" is another variation on the training exercises within the virtual world; terrific animation from the folks who brought you "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust" and "Ninja Scroll".
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"World Record" is dismissed by other reviewers, but I found it to be another interesting take on the "awakening" theme.
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"Beyond" was the first episode I'd seen from this collection; it is perhaps the most original interpretation of "The Matrix" themes to be found on this DVD (think back to Neo's "deja vu" experience from the first movie as a point-of-reference); many aspects of this story have "other-worldly" applications that weren't breached during either "Matrix" live-action movie...this one may have the most Japanese soul of all entries included here.
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"A Detective Story" is obviously (and brilliantly) done by the folks behind "Cowboy Bebop"; very noir, very pulp fiction-esque, and another cameo appearance by Carrie-Anne Moss. Slickly done and my favorite episode to watch just for the sheer beauty of the production.
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"Matriculated" completes the collection, an hallucinogenic collection of images that begin wihtin the real world and pick up to a nearly lysergic rate with another training exercise session (although this one designed with the idea of "converting" enemy machines to the side of the human beings). My favorite anime artist, Peter Chung of "Aeon Flux" and "Reign" fame is the creative force behind this episode; like the other writers/directors/producers involved with this project, he makes the segment with which he's involved indelibly his own.
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The soundtrack CD that accompanies the DVD in this set is also a worthy purchase; I'm no fan of electronica music, but the works included in "The Animatrix" are tastefully selected and rank high within the echelon of great anime' soundtracks. The songs are prominently mixed within the movie's audio mix (with the exception of "Hands Around My Throat" by Death In Vegas, my personal favorite track) and are recognizable at once when listened to after viewing the movie. The bonus, non-soundtrack selections inspired from the first "Matrix" movie (and including dialogue samples from it as well) "Red Pill, Blue Pill" and "The Real" cap off a terrific listening experience.
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If you watch the movie and enjoy it, a prominent aspect for your enjoyment will undoubtedly be the soundtrack; I knew after a single viewing that I had to own the DVD as well as its score CD, and I am absolutely satisfied with both.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth it for Osiris
Review: The Flight of the Osiris, made by same group that produced Final Fantasy, is the compelling reason to get this DVD. The other works found along with it simply pale in comparison... indeed I already have forgotten most of them.
Rating:
Summary: I will need another copy very soon
Review: When you purchase this you will need another copy. You will find yourself analyzing this over and over again. The chapters are called visions. I was discussing it with a few friends and I am completely hooked on the Matrix. Some of the visions are left to your own personal interpretation like World Record,Beyond,A Detective Story,and Matriculated. The Final Flight of the Osiris does set the stage for reloaded. The rabbit hole goes very deep.
Rating: 
Summary: What the heck???
Review: I am a Matrix fan. I have been a Matrix fan but after seing this I can't say that I will "always be" Matrix fan. This thing was pointless. It just lets you know how it all started. But to me that was part of the coolness the Matrix had to offer...the fact that you know little no knowlage. You just have to wait for the next movie to come out (Revolutions). I am highly dissapointed with Enter the Matrix as well. This coming from a Matrix fan who printed out flyers ins school and put them all around the hallways announcing the arrival of Matrix Reloaded, which I would give a three out of five. That is mostly because the begining [was not good], and then to top it off, the Wachowski brothers had a fadawy type camera shot of Keanue Reaves instead of Carrie Ann Moss which was [not good]. Most the people who watched the movie were guys! All in all, for nine stupid pointless, appetite losing (oh yeah, I lost my appatite eating some chicken Lo Mein dammit!)...Don't spend [the money]. It's not worth it. The only reason it gets 2 stars is beacuse I give them more credit than they desreve on the animation. I like the style they used though...It's new. Rent it. You might think I am a piece of crap for saying all this, so just keep in mind that is my opinion you are reading.
Rating:
Summary: why all the hype?
Review: People need to sit back and ignore the hype. This collection was NOT that great. I used the FF button more on this DVD than any other in a while. FINAL FLIGHT OF THE OSIRIS: The best of the lot by far. This is one excellent piece. THE SECOND RENAISSANCE PARTS I & II: I guess the world is controlled by either Thuggies or Hindu, because nobody else would create an "archive" system like this. But we did learn that man basically deserved what he got. KID'S STORY: Who gives a darn? Waste of disc space. Save us all some time and go play in the street. PROGRAM: Reminded me of Vampire Hunter D - the worst aspects. WORLD RECORD: A world-record in fast forwarding. Ties for the worst. BEYOND: One of those obligatory wet-eyed kiddie pieces. A DETECTIVE STORY: Garbage. MATRICULATED: If you liked Aeon Flux, you'll like this. Pretty cool.
Rating:
Summary: Middle of the pack in all but hype
Review: Last Flight of the Osiris is well enough written, and fairly well CGed. A Detective Story is probably the best drawn and written piece, brought to you by the team behind Cowboy Bebop. Second Renisance is not as well drawn in my opinion, but the story is the point of that tale. Powerful and disturbing, it starts to explain the past of the Matrix. It packs in more thought provoking material than the two movies do in a tenth the time. Other peices, such as Beyond or Program, suffer from mediocre art and writing, that while acceptable, is simply forgetable. The same goes for Kid's Story. World Record is just bad, with a lousy story and horid art. Skip it, you will be thankful for saving the 15 minutes. The last peice, Matriculated, has too many "huh" things in it to be enjoyable, IF you can get past the art. Matriculated is produced by the team who inflicted Aeon Flux and Reign on the anime community, and they are getting better. But it still is too much about people with funny body angles, battling the forces of evil in armoured skivvies. Too weird, too dull, and too out of continuity with the rest of the story line. In short, a third of it is good, very good, even if it is hard to watch. Another third is watchable. And trust me, don't even watch Matriculated or World Record- your mind will be happier with you.
Rating:
Summary: very good.
Review: i was sorta exspecting for it to be a little better but it was overall very well done. there are 9 short films in the DVD and all of them are animated either using comp. graphics or animation. the one thing that i didn't really like about each short film is that almost all of them except one had a tragic ending. but i did like most of them. the cool part is that one of the films "the final flight of the osiris" was made by square. you know, the same people that make the final fantasy games. :)
Rating:
Summary: Great composition
Review: This movie is created by anime masterminds from Japan. IF you are a long time anime fan then you should be familiar with such crisp visuals and outstanding artwork. For general viewers this piece will be a great piece to allow you a taste of true animation. Some episodes in here are packed with symbols and involve deep thinking to comprehend but its very pleasing. It's all eye candy and you won't be disappointed.
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