It’s been officially 20 years since cartoon was first released as part of Matrix franchise, but does it still hold to this day? 2003 was the peak of the popularity of the series The Matrix. The Matrix Reloaded was just released in theaters in May and the trilogy’s epilogue, The Matrix Revolutions, is due out in November. While these films haven’t been well received by fans, they’re certainly not. this series was at the height of cultural zeitgeist that got everyone talking about it. However, to surpass fans’ expectations for the final chapter of the trilogy, an additional anthology film was released in June 2003 called The Animatrix.
Directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski worked with some of the biggest animators in the anime industry including Mahiro Maeda and Yoshiaki Kawajiri to bring The Animatrix to life. Some of the director’s most notable works include the projects of Studio Ghibli and Neon Genesis: Evangelion. Even Cowboy Bebop’s Shinichirō jumps on board to tell his own story in the Matrix universe. The result is an addendum to the franchise that’s been acclaimed by fans and critics alike, expanding the world of backwardness and answering some of the biggest questions including how the Matrix machines rose to dominance. planet ruler. Now, 20 years have passed, and the question remains as to whether the anthology will survive long after the hype for the Matrix is gone. Surprisingly, it was after all these years.
Different animation styles make Animatrix a unique anthology
What makes The Animatrix work so well is its varied animation style that goes hand in hand with its unique take on the universe the Wachowskis created. Each short has a different visual style that makes them stand out and tells the story in different ways. For example, “Program” tells the story of a test to recruit recruits in the resistance through the lens of a samurai action cartoon similar to a series like Samurai Champloo. Then the following story titled “World Record” takes on a more exaggerated and dark style as it shows a man literally crossing the Matrix as he ran faster than he could. simulation can keep up. Each of the short’s animations is fluid and distinct enough to make them stand out on their own and not be mixed up. This ultimately makes every story memorable by getting the audience to re-read their favorite stories.
Each story connects perfectly to the world of the Matrix
What also works best about The Animatrix is how each story is handled. There’s no story here like they were the original ideas that ran the Matrix at the last second. Each has their own special way to explore the lore of this universe while doing them in different genres. One of the best examples of this is in “A Detective’s Story,” told through the lens of a dark criminal similar to Watanabe’s best Cowboy Bebop. episode. The way it handles its story engages the audience from the very first minute even though they know the truth about Trinity. Seeing this detective realize the truth in his own way makes for a great story that shows people seeing through simulations in different ways. This is just one of nine examples throughout this film, and each one builds on the other to create a compelling experience through the eyes of people other than Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus.
This movie may be old, but it has stood the test of time thanks to its clever visuals and expert storytelling. In fact, looking back on it now after knowing what to expect in the franchise’s sequels, The Animatrix has become the best movie in the franchise, outside of the classic year. 1999. cartoon well worth revisiting all these years later and a must-see for fans Matrix yearning for another entry that continues to this day.