The Animatrix, a collection of nine animated segments taking place within the world of The Matrix and crafted by leading Japanese anime directors with the Wachowski brothers’ approval, arrives burdened by considerable anticipation, much like Reloaded did. While visually impressive – offering an extraordinary showcase of diverse animation techniques – it doesn't quite live up to expectations. The entire presentation suffers from problems with its narratives and a pervasive sense of gloominess that keeps it distant from the uplifting feeling present in the initial film. The Wachowskis themselves wrote The Second Renaissance Part 1, which presents a meticulously crafted depiction of life before The Matrix, using a simulated newsreel format to create a disturbing portrayal of the machines’ ascent. Following this is The Second Renaissance Part 2, a darker and more violent piece with a less polished aesthetic, illustrating how those same machines brought The Matrix into being. "Program," arguably the most overtly manga-inspired segment, tells a love story set in feudal Japan; it's visually striking but ultimately lacks depth. In World Record, an athlete manages to break free from the Wachowskis’ constructed reality through sheer force of will, presented with a distinctive style; praise is due for its unusual and angular artwork, but the storyline proves perplexing. A Kid's Story, in contrast, possesses a dreamlike quality, featuring Clayton Moore (who also appears in Reloaded and Revolutions) attempting to escape The Matrix with Neo’s assistance. Detective Story stands out as the strongest segment, maintaining its integrity until an ending that undermines the internal consistency of The Matrix; it’s a faithful black-and-white noir following a detective tasked with locating Trinity. Beyond, which focuses on children who discover and take advantage of a flaw in The Matrix, is brief and evocative, while Matriculated—depicting humans altering a machine outside of The Matrix—is a visually spectacular, almost psychedelic experience that surpasses 2001 in its surrealism. Finally, The Final Flight Of The Osiris, the highly publicized prequel to Reloaded, represents a significant achievement in computer-generated photorealism, though its story is disappointingly thin. Ultimately, despite its undeniable beauty, the collection is hampered by narrative shortcomings and an abundance of somber conclusions that prevent it from achieving the emotional release of the original film. 3/5

Source on TMDB