I was pretty harsh on Revolutions for changing the visual style of The Matrix and Reloaded, but I'm not going to say that about this. Each part had its own distinct feel, which I appreciated. But this one really expands on the history of the Matrix universe. It’s as if the creators—who were a couple back then—saw how much science fiction fans were enjoying the films and felt they needed to flesh out a backstory so…

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 presentatio…