The Complete Matrix Trilogy

[DarthPrime]

Awesome news for HD-DVD and the HD formats in general. With the prices of the HD-DVD players going down in April I'm sure this will sell pretty well.

In one of the biggest catalog announcements yet for HD DVD, Warner Home Video has set a May 22 arrival for two extensive box set collections of the blockbuster 'Matrix' series.

The revolutionary sci-fi trilogy, which grossed over $600 million in the U.S. alone, has long been rumored to be in the planning stages for next-gen release. Thought to be a "killer app" -- the kind of trojan horse title that would entice non-early adopters into the high-def fold -- Warner is already gearing up for one of its biggest-ever HD DVD releases.

The studio will unleash two different configurations, both streeting simultaneously on May 22.

'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' will span three discs and include each film in the trilogy -- 'The Matrix,' 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' -- plus a four bonus disc with extras, 'The Matrix: Revisited.' Each film will also include an Interactive Movie Experience (IME) feature exclusive to the HD DVD, which will deliver an video commentary featuring interviews with the cast and filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage and more.

'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' will replicate the extensive standard-def box set of the same name which debuted two years ago. In addition to the three IME-enhanced 'Matrix' titles and 'The Matrix Revisited,' an additional 35 hours of bonus materials will be included.

Warner has not yet issued full specs for either box set, including whether what, if any, supplemental features will be presented in 1080p. But we'll certainly keep you posted.

Suggested list price will be $99.99 for 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' and, for only $20 more, you can grab 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' for $119.99.

No Blu-ray version of either 'Matrix' set has been announced. However, Warner says it plans to release a comparable version later this year, once Blu-ray's much-touted BD-Java environment is finally ready for prime time.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/ ... HD_DVD/533

[MICKEYMOUSE]

This news really does not matter. i mean you have every right to post it. But this is for a DIE HARD MATRIX fan. Even though this is coming onto HD-DVD, the disc are going to be fliper disc....I can not bielive that. Anyways for the DIE HARD MATRIX fan who does not own HD-DVD, and only has BLU-RAY this set is also coing to BLU-RAY by end of 07, so no need to worry.

[Escapay]

This news really does not matter.

I think it has quite some merit. After all, didn't the original Matrix DVD back in 1999 become a top-seller and was a major reason more people started buying DVD players? 2003 may have been the year that DVD officially took over, but it was 1999 when people really began to take interest, thanks to The Matrix.

Seeing how this is debuting to HD-DVD, it could possibly have the same effect, as people will begin upgrading (be it HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) in larger numbers for the bigname titles.

Escapay

[MickeyMouseboy]

To me it seems that Warner is desperate to get their sales up on HD-DVD that they need to start releasing their major tittles to beat Blu-Ray. Pretty Sad....I will still go for blu-ray anytime! sorry Warner!!!!

[DarthPrime]

I don't see it as Warner being desperate at all. BD-Java according to many isn't ready for prime time yet, so Warner chose to delay the Blu-Ray release and go ahead with HD-DVD. I see it as a company wanting to get these movies out, but making sure they have the features they want from the technology.

The flipper discs are a letdown, but The Matrix has been talked about as one of the first big titles that started putting DVD players in homes. It has been rumored to be a "killer app" for the HD formats, so it will be interesting to see if it still has the power to put players in homes.

No official announcement was made about the Blu-Ray release of this, but it has been talked about with Warner to hopefully come by the end of 2007. It will be interesting to see what happens when it does debut on Blu-Ray. Who knows it may end up like Batman Begins. Thats been on HD-DVD for awhile, and talked about for Blu-Ray, but so far it has never happened.

This want win the war for HD-DVD, but it will greatly boost their declining sales.

[2099net]

I don't think it will be a "system seller" - I don't think any catalogue release will be. There's far to many people with the current SD release(s) they they're happy with. Remember, most people are happy watching movies cropped so that they'll fill the screen.

Those, like us, who are a bit more movie and technology aware will still look at the overall pros and cons for both formats and (most likely) still go for blu ray. After all, The Matrix films will be released on BD at some point... its just a matter of waiting.

Many BD supporters do belittle the IMEs, and to some extent they do have a point. Most of the IMEs I've experienced are somewhat fluffy. However, two have been absolutely superb - Poseidon and V For Vendetta; these really were like having an extra movie length documentary on the disc as well as all the other extras. I expect the Matrix films to be of a similar quality. If they are, then Warners are absolutely right to hold back on the BD release (although for stuff like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I'm wondering why they are bothering to).

I'm about to go to the dark side, I should be getting my PS3 today. But I do love my HD DVD discs, and having a flip through all the Region "B" BD titles available or coming soon to Europe, there's not one I fancy other than Chicken Little. Meanwhile I still have several HD DVD releases on order, and only 1 BD title (so I've bascially got something to play).

However, the War will be fought with day and date new releases, and for this, BD has by far the greater advantage.