Matrix Revolutions: The Epic Edition

Like most other reviewers, I am a huge fan of the original Matrix and consider it one of my top 25 favorite movies. Similarly, I was disappointed by the sequels. I have watched multiple Matrix fanedits in order to find my permanent watching replacement. After really enjoying The Matrix Revolutions Decoded and this Epic version, I believe this is THE ONE (ba dum tshhh).

It all boils down to the fact that this version is flawlessly edited and turns two overlong, overly complex movies filled with philosophy babble into a streamlined action sci-fi movie that makes complete sense. Like the first Matrix, this edit capitalizes on some basic philosophical questions (how much should man rely on machine? what makes us human? how do we define reality) and doesn't veer into the confusing meditations on choice, purpose, and multiple realities/matrices that the two original sequels do.

Gripes:
-I could have done without the Zion orgy dance scene, but I get its symbolism (bestial life versus cold machines).
-We don't get any sort of closure on what happens to Trinity at the end, though we can assume she makes her way from broadcasting depth back to Zion where she will live a life of sadness without Neo.
-I can't stand the change in oracle actors, but there isn't much to be done about that.

Accolades:
-First off, the most brilliant thing about this edit was changing where Neo goes after he steps through the special door to the Source. He travels to the "source" which is, in the original, the machine mainframe, and speaks with the baby-faced leader of the machines where they make a simple deal that Neo will remove Smith from the Matrix in exchange for peace. Absolutely inspired -- this renders the multiple matrix plotline pointless (which I always hated, as it sort of devalues the current struggle of our characters) and cuts out a ton of extraneous plot including the Architect.
-All of the best action sequences are kept, but many are trimmed down just enough for pacing.
-Small things that are stupid or ridiculous are removed. One of my favorites is when Link returns home: In the original, he starts saying something like "Where's my puss--" and is interrupted by his nephew/niece (I think) who are visiting his wife. It's a cheap laugh, and pretty crass and unlikeable that he would greet his wife after months of being away and missing her in this manner. There are a lot of little moments like this that have been thankfully removed.
-Obvious poorly done elements (Bane, Neo having powers in the real world, Trinity's comically long death scene) are gone and would make no sense with the new narrative plotline.

Overall, the narrative change and editing have redeemed these movies for me and will replace my DVD hardcopies for good.
I'd give the originals a 5/10, the Decoded version a 9/10, and this a 10/10 overall.

Finally got around to this after DL'ing last year.
I put off viewing partly because I did not want to waddle through sorry assed Revolutions again.
Then I delayed reviewing because I wanted to listen to Geminigod's audio commentary.

In a nutshell, the A/V editing was spectacular. I missed glitches and fudges he referenced in the commentary. Had to go back, and even then they were often hard to catch.
He also purged the bulk of the offensive bungles from Revolutions.
Also, he made a good argument that the sequel ought to have been one long film, rather than two.
Best, this edit redeemed the franchise, which ain't gonna revive any day soon.

Less compelling, were Geminigod's prolonged defense for the importance of Zion. I never bought that argument. Zion, to me, represented a separation of humanity into elites and mudbugs. Far as Zion went, if the machines whacked them, fine by me.

Commentaries by their nature are enlightening, thoughtful, and maddening. Geminigod's was no exception. For every point he addressed, and I thought "Ooh, I hadn't thought of that," then he would belabor another cue for five minutes, and I'm going, "Hey, Pilgrim, movie's rolling, stay on topic."

This really was a powerhouse job, with a tremendous amount of editing and rearranging, in crafting a true, alternative experience.
And barking aside, I truly appreciated the editor's words. Most enlightening.

January 2, 2012

I need to give this edit a second watch, this time listening to the commentary, but here's what I remember:

It was hella sweet.


Nov 8 2012:

Listened to the commentary. Also hella sweet.

(Enjoyment upped from 9 to 10.)

Just amazing, I may never watch the theatrical releases again!

VIDEO
I watched the magnificent AVCHD (stripped menus, just watched the m2ts file on my HTPC) and the picture quality is GLORIOUS.
10/10

AUDIO
Some has voiced concerns that the center channel is too low, but while the action gets very loud, the dialog is always very clear in my 5.1 system (Dolby Digital bitstream).
10/10

STUFF THAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I still hate the music in the first fight scene and would personally have changed it to something else. Maybe some tribal style music in the same style as the Neo/Serif fight? As the beat starts I find myself thinking I’m watching some MTV style trailer for the movie.

That horrible CGI in the over the top “Neo Vs. The Smiths” fight should be missed by nobody. I guess it must have been hard to trim out, but all the “hamster style” Kung Fu that consists of running round and round in a wheel consisting of Smith agents isn’t exactly like the Yen Woo Ping stuff that made the fights in the original movie so awesome.

Up to the point where Trinity falls out of the window with an agent shooting at her, I didn’t notice many cuts. Kudos. But also, here’s where I start to notice stuff. Not all is bad, but personally, I would have tried to limit the amount of fade to black/short/another fade to black by trying to tie all segments concerning each group of characters’ story arch witch clean cuts rather than keeping the fades. It almost felt like watching the end of Return Of The King. LOL. My girlfriend joined in on the watch here and she even went “WHAT IS UP!?” at those. Before that she was clueless about it being a Fan Edit and seemed to enjoy herself.

I also thought I’d mention that I noticed a glitchy looking cut right as Smith hammers Neo down into a hole of water and mud then going into the Zion command center.

CONCLUSION
This edit truly is EPIC, though I feel some of the action scenes could have been cut in half simply for pacing. I’ve always loved the highway fight/chase, but here I believe it was missing some stuff from the Theatrical? The Zion carnage with all the Sentinels, giant drill bot and whatnot could have been cut in half IMO, I didn’t time it but it feels like it’s going on forever. I’ve always felt like this about that part though.

I really LOVED this new ending, and this will be my preferred version to accompany the first film for sure. I would just have loved to have it 30 minutes shorter (see above for cutting suggestions). Also missing is the EPIC cleaveage Persephone sports in Revolutions. That was the highlight of the theatrical movie for me, so again, kudos on making this so much better. But the boobs should have stayed somehow.

The Architect showing up at the end is a bit of a wtf moment as he’s never seen before in this edit. Or I might have missed something?

EDITING SCORE 9/10

An overall score of 10/10 from me.

Review by emphatic — August 6, 2011 @ 12:40 AM