Matrix, The (Australia)

This is obviously very similar to the R2 release, but with a couple of minor head butts intact. Quite why these scenes were cut from the UK release in beyond me. It seems that it is perfectly ok for the characters to gun down hoards of innocent security guards, but when it comes to nutting someone the BBFC get right on their high horse (even though the R2 edition of The Fifth Element features a nice Glasgow kiss, not bad for a PG film) . It makes a total mockery of our ratings system in my opinion. Still, that whinge aside this is a great disc, which also improves over the R2 edition. Because the film is unedited the commentary and isolated score tracks are untouched, which adds to the overall value of the package.

The R4 edition isn`t significantly different to the R2 disc, but for those of you who want the commentary, isolated score, and just like to stick it to the BBFC occasionally, this is a great buy. Oh, and as usual, it`s cheaper to import the R4 disc from Oz than to buy the R2 disc in the shops here...

FILM
Enough has been said about the plot so I won`t bother with that. The film is a bombardment of your senses. The first half is a `is it reality/unreality?` sort of film, and the second half is John Woo on acid. You will love this film.
PICTURE
Don`t adjust your picture, this was filmed with a green filter, so there is a green tinge to the film. It is 2.35:1 anamorphic, and has one of the sharpest pictures around.
SOUND
The sound is superb, voices, gunshots, and loud music can all be heard clearly and all channels are made good use of.
EXTRAS
This is where R4 beats R2, there is all the making of stuff that is on them, with the added bonus of an average commentary and a superb isolated score. The White rabbit feature is pretty badass.
OVERALL
Why did I bother with this review? After all, everyone who`s been on this site probably has Matrix anyway, so what`s the point in telling someone about something they`ve already got? Well, the R4 version has some extra headbutts that were cut from UK release to get a 15 cert. This is the definative version of the matrix, it has all the extras and headbutts of R1 and the Pal resoulution of R2, plus a proper case and not one of those crappy cardboard snap ones you get in UK or USA.

What can I say?
This film has everything, awesome ground-breaking effects, an intelligent plot and great characters; The Matrix is a mile-stone in cinema history when a wide variety of genre's are combined to create a modern day masterpiece.
This film is one of few that doesn't get boring after repeated viewing; I bought the VHS when it was first released, sold that and bought the R2 DVD then sold that and went for the R4 DVD, which combines the extras from both regions along with uncut status.

Picture: -

Presented in 2:35:1 PAL Anamorphic Widescreen, which like the film itself is virtually flawless, everything is right from the colours to the brightness.

Audio: -

Comes in Dolby Digital 5.1 Flavour, the soundtrack is superb with good bass levels and great use of the rears when moving into bullet-time, this is a soundtrack to show off your system.

Extras: -

It's hard to find faults with the film itself, but with the release of Matrix Revisited it's hard to feel you've got a good deal on the DVD, though the extras are good and plentiful why couldn't package the "Revisited" extras with the initial release, but that aside, the extras are very good.
You get a "Making Of" , a Featurette as well as a few bits and bobs, but the main extra is the Audio Commentary by Cast And Crew, and a 5.1 Music Only Track.

Overall: -

As I've raved on in this review, the film is one of my top 5 favourite films ever but the DVD leaves much to be desired, maybe Warner will re-release a new disk as a tie in with the next 2 films.