The Ultimate Matrix Collection on Blu-ray review roundup

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 13th 2008 at 3:59PM

We know you've got 14 alarms set to remind you, but The Ultimate Matrix Collection on Blu-ray will be all over store shelves tomorrow. If you're still unsure if the massive 10-disc set is worth the investment (or re-investment), a few long-winded reviews have already hit the 'net to help you decide. Put simply, the collection was deemed "a visual and aural extravaganza," and according to one reviewer, Blu-ray fanatics shouldn't hesitate to "consider the upgrade to this best-yet high-def edition." Of course, critics at IGN seemed less enthusiastic about just how worthwhile the upgrade was, noting that it's probably not worth it (from SD) unless you just cannot live without the superior audio and video transfers. We'll leave the final decision up to you, but one thing's for sure -- if you've got the cash to spare, you won't be disappointed.

Read - DVD Talk review
Read - Big Picture Big Sound review
Read - IGN review

Filed under: Reviews, Blu-ray

Tags: bd, blu-ray, film, matrix, movie, release, review, review roundup, reviewed, ReviewRoundup, the matrix, The Ultimate Matrix Collection, TheMatrix, TheUltimateMatrixCollection, warner

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

DEEZNUTZ @ Oct 13th 2008 4:12PM

"...but one thing's for sure -- if you've got the cash to spare, you won't be disappointed."

Unless you're a die-hard fan of these movies, yes you will be disappointed. Having picked them up in HD DVD made me realize how bad these movies are. Matrix 1 is the only really good one. Reloaded has some great action, but that's it. Revolutions is the prime example of how to F**kup a trilogy. Buy some stocks instead.

Highly Ranked

THizzle7XU @ Oct 13th 2008 9:21PM

Oh, is it still cool to make fun of the second two Matrix movies?

Highly Ranked

DVD4ME @ Oct 13th 2008 5:55PM

I love all 3 movies on my HD DVD set, and at $29 I have no regrets!

Neutral

DrXym @ Oct 13th 2008 6:21PM

The original Matrix was pretty good. The two sequels were pseudo-philosophical pap interspersed by such meaningless action that they disappeared up their own backsides. I can understand why Warner want to package up the lot as a boxed set because I doubt 2 or 3 would sell very well at all if they were let out separately.

Neutral

Ogden2k @ Oct 13th 2008 8:29PM

I pre-ordered this a month ago from Amazon and enjoyed all three movies.

Neutral

SimbaDogg @ Oct 13th 2008 10:17PM

first one great, 2nd one eh...third one, no way i'd buy it.

Highly Ranked

notAha8r @ Oct 14th 2008 6:43AM

Wow, didn't know this was a review site for movies. Guess those of us that enjoyed all 3 should be good lemmings and listen to everybody else and not buy this since it's so popular and cool to bash them.

Neutral

comineeyeaha @ Oct 14th 2008 9:28AM

I already own this set on DVD, but it was a gift from an ex girlfriend, so I have NO problem getting rid of it to upgrade to a better one :)

Neutral

Multi-format-mayhem @ Oct 14th 2008 12:20PM

Alternatively buy a dual format player or a separate HD DVD player, laugh all the way to the bank and have the best of both worlds.

I bought the same movie box set on HD DVD for about $30.

Neutral

Raytown @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:04PM

No you didn't. The HD-DVD version doesn't come with the Animatrix in 1080p :P

Neutral

Multi-format-mayhem @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:01PM

Like I could care less that the HD DVD set did not come with a 1080p version of The Animatrix.

My HD TV is very recent & has an excellent upscaler, so not only is the SD version I already have practically indistinguishable from the 1080p version (it is animation afterall) but I can now tell for certain as I have the 1080p HD version of the Animatrix anyways.

I did not have to shell out that silly price of the Blu set to get it either.

Neutral

lorax1284 @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:05PM

Could someone state in these little blurbs about the Matrix Blu-Ray whether or not the encoding is identical byte-for-byte with the HD-DVD versions? I have the HD-DVD versions, but I'd be at least interested in LOOKING at a Blu-Ray version if it was reencoded to fill up all 50 gig of the vaunted Blu-Ray dual layer disc... but one review hinted thatthey are using the same HD-DVD encoding (with Blu-Ray interactivity wrapper) so it is, for all intents and purposes, a re-issue of the HD-DVD version on Blu.

Also, re: 1080P Animatrix: while "Cars" is a breathtaking all-digital reference disc, I think an investment in other styles of animation (i.e. non-computerized) in 1080p is folly: 1080p Simpsons? South Park? Family Guy? What's the point? Except for final flight of the osiris, I don't see much value to the 1080p version of the other hand-drawn stuff.

Neutral

andrew @ Nov 19th 2008 8:40PM

Recycled SD extras no less makes this a colossal waste of money.

Bottom line: Wait for a standalone BD discs of just the movies and keep your HD-DVD or DVD Ultimate collection. Animatrix in 1080p? Who cares?

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