Product Reviews4 Film Favorites: the Matrix Collection (DVD)

ISOYE

Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is leading a double life. To most people, he's a hard-working computer programmer who holds down a nine-to-five job for a major software corporation. But, in the privacy of his home, he's a hacker named Neo who is "guilty of virtually every computer crime [there's] a law for." Neo is dissatisfied with his existence, and, while he's groping for a meaning to it, he is contacted by a mysterious computer presence known as Morpheus. "Wake up Neo," a printout on his monitor screen reads. "The Matrix has you. Follow the white rabbit." And so begins an amazing odyssey for both Neo and the audience.

It turns out that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) is the captain of a small space ship, and he believes that Neo is a messianic figure. When the two finally meet, Morpheus explains to Neo that all is not as it seems. The reality he is used to is a fabrication, the product of a sinister race of intelligent machines that use human beings as power supplies, to be discarded at will. Neo is dubious, and Morpheus sets out to show him the truth. Soon, he is learning how to manipulate the Matrix: a computer-generated dreamworld built by the machines to control human minds. But danger lurks ahead for Morpheus and his small band of followers. The goal of the machines is to eliminate all free humans, and their most powerful weapons, the Sentient Agents (who look like Men in Black), are closing in. Led by Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), their goal is to capture Morpheus and pry the secrets from his brain.Read full review...

Enter The ENTIRE Matrix With This Great Set!

There's really no reason to go into describing The Matrix Trilogy. Unless you lived under a rock for the past ten years, The Matrix is one of the most original and influential Science Fiction films of recent memory. Starring Keanu Reeves and directed by The Wachowski Brothers (who recently gave us the live-action Speed Racer film), this tale of computers taking over the reality of the human race and a small group of survivors in constant battle to win back their independence, successfully blasted it's way through theatres between the years of 1999 thru 2003. Complete with two theatrical sequels and one direct-to-video animated film called "The Animatrix", it was THE complete tale to own on DVD. Each film was released separately on the format as two-disc sets complete with somewhat bloated extras (The first and animated releases keep the extras on the film disc). But back in 2004, Warner Bros. released the "Ultimate Matrix Collection", a whopping ten disc collection featuring a brand new transfer of the first film and even more behind-the-scenes footage. But at a steep price of $52.00, for someone that really just wanted the movies, it wasn't all that practical. Now Warner Bros has introduced The Matrix to it's "4 Film Favorites" line, and the result is a great buy for the fan that just wants the films but at a more reasonable price.

Let me explain what you exactly get here. Housed in one original sized keepcase with a leaf in the middle to separate the two discs inside, each disc is a DVD-18, otherwise known as "dual-sided/dual-layed". Imagine if you took say The Matrix DVD and glued/attached it's label side to the label side of the first movie disc of The Matrix Reloaded. Then did the same thing to Disc One of Matrix Revolutions and the single disc of The Animatrix. That's pretty much what this set is. Each side is an EXACT, down to the bitrate quality, copy of the original release as it was when first released. Same menus, video/audio, Disc One extras, and all. Nothing has been changed except there's no picture label side now. Sure, the Disc Two's of Reloaded/Revolutions are absent now, but for under $12, and if you only want the movies that still are presented in their original Anamorphic Widescreen video, this for the tight-walleted film fans out there that never bothered to buy these films in the first place is truly the best way to go.

If the set has any cons, the first film is from 1999 DVD master, and while it's okay, it's still nowhere near the quality of the 2004 remaster that for Standard Definition discs is still exclusive to the Ultimate boxset. The transfers on the other three films here DO match in quality since they all were shot digitally to begin with, so one out of three isn't all that bad. Also, in order to give two full dual-layered presentations on just one disc, they HAVE to be dual-sided, otherwise known as "flippers". With flippers, each side is untouchable so to not get unwanted scratches on either side, you have to be more careful with them than a single-sided disc with it's label side that can be handled much easier.

In conclusion, if you never bothered in buying either the individual releases or the high-priced boxset, this 4 Film Favorites set for the cost and space-saving is an excellent deal. Other than losing a bonus disc of features that you probably would watch just once anyway, you get the whole Matrix for the cost of just one tiny little red pill.
(RedSabbath Rating:8.5/10)Read full review...

Title Fine (Just won't play full movies)

Three of the four "Film Favorites" are on scratched or otherwise not playable DVDs. Of the 38 average sections of the movies they hang-up/freeze around 19-20.
The only good one is the animated 4th feature - probably because it was not viewed.

I tried using a "CD Skip Fixer" on these DVDs to no avail - still hung/froze at same spots on the 3 Matrix movies.
It was a gamble at the low price offered AND I LOST! Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

4 Excellent Matrix movies into 1!

Whats there to say?! You get 4 Matrix Movies on a 2 double sided disc set. The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and finally The Animatrix which was Japanese Anime.

All the movies are in widescreen. You do get a few extras. Not like the full disc versions if you buy separately. This is for people who don't have money to spend and are looking for a budget price. Well you get it all right here!

My only beef is that its on a double sided disc. So please take care of these discs. Double sided discs tend to get damaged easily and scratch if your not careful.

I hope more great 4 Film Favorite DVDs comes out in the future. So I don't have to buy them Separately and spend a whole lot of money.Read full review...

Matrix with great picture quality!

The set came with all of the Matrix films, and each provided a beautiful picture on my 4K TV. The one thing that I was missing was other languages. We like to watch movies either in spanish with english subtitles or in english with spanish subtitles. These only have the english language and subtitles.

If this is not important to you, this is an excellent buy! Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: blowitoutahere

I love the Matrix

For any Matrix fans this set is great. It's got the first three movies and even the spin off The Animatrix. Be warned though: this isn't a fancy box set. This item comes with TWO DVDs that are double sided, and I have to be honest I am not a huge fan of double sided DVDs. But that is honestly my only complaint regarding this item. Everything else is great and functions perfectly. The DVDs themselves had no scratches and didn't skip. The Matrix is such a pop culture icon that I would encourage anyone to buy this item and especially because it's so well priced!Read full review...

Great movie

Full compact set. Has most features of the full Matrix series in a small set that is a standard DVD box size.
As for the movie itself, is great. There are plenty of philosophical aspects besides the action. A lot of layers below the obvious. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

Matrix collection

Haven’t been able to get to the others but the first movie I put in was the matrix and the movie does not play entirely I’ve restarted it/cleaned it multiple times and it stops in the same place every time. I’m not happy about it at all although the price was ok for me.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: jefffennell

The Matrix DVD quick, easy, cheap

Got exactly what I wanted. DVD quality movies from my youth nice and cheap and quick-like~<3

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

Disappointed

One hour into first disc and picture freezes. Repeatedly tried on multiple players to no avail. So frustrating that I threw the entire set in the trash!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: yourmomlovesmedia