The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 27, 2018

Warner Brothers and Best Buy have collaborated on a store-exclusive SteelBook release for 'The Matrix Revolutions.' This review focuses on the SteelBook packaging and, from a technical perspective, exclusively on the UHD video presentation, with emphasis on the Dolby Vision color enhancement. Michael Reuben has reviewed the UHD presentation with its HDR-10 coloring. This is not a replacement of his review but rather a companion look at a second color format option available on the disc.

For more on the film, Michael Reuben's review of the wide release UHD offers a well-written opening primer while a review of the three film Blu-ray collection offers more insight into one of the most talked-about film franchises of all time.

The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Warner Brothers' 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation of The Matrix Revolutions is another dazzler. The previous films -- The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded -- are wonders of the 4K format, reference level presentations for both film-sourced pictures and for the Dolby Vision color grading alike. Revolutions is no different, and unsurprisingly so. The film was shot back-to-back with Reloaded and released theatrically only months later. It shares the same textural qualities and, generally, the same color scheme, with perhaps a bit less green in total. Dolby Vision, as with the other two films, offers a strikingly balanced, rich, and intense array of colors, with the stabilized and deep blacks and green-tint scenes amongst the highlights, but it's perhaps other splashes of color that really give this film a great look. Blue electricity emanates from the Hammer with spellbinding intensity. Red Sentinel eyes, intense fiery oranges, brightly illuminated tracer fire are amongst the most dazzling colors in the film, often contrasting against darker and grungier backgrounds where the desaturation allows the more intense shades to really stand apart. In Zion, aboard ships, and in select other locations, the palette pushes to a more traditional neutrality, allowing for a presentation of healthy flesh tones, bold supports, and finely regulated and exacting shades of gray and rust and brown that define so many backgrounds in the film. Contrarily, brighter shades -- the background at the train station early in the film -- deliver unmatched intensity and stability.

From a textural perspective, Revolutions delivers a perfect viewing experience. Beautiful grain, highlight reel clarity, razor sharpness...all the major building block components are firmly in place. Amongst the highlights are resplendent skin close-ups, insanely complex grunge inside Zion, tactile machine parts, and perfectly realized frayed and filthy clothing. Little more need be said; this is a flat gorgeous presentation, as are all three films in the series. It's tough to name any three better looking releases currently on the UHD format.

The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full review of the incredible Dolby Atmos soundtrack, please click here.

The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Matrix Revolution's 4K UHD SteelBook release carries over the same essential, matching stylings as both The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded. The front cover features a predominantly black background with vertically oriented green digital characters. Floating head portraits featuring Trinity, Neo, and Morpheus appear within a liquid explosion. The rear side carries over a similar design but is more densely digital and features an army of APU mechs prepared to go to battle. The spine is made of a fairly flat black color with some little spots of green wear and one tear-looking segment towards the bottom. The film's title is approximately centered. A UHD logo sits atop and a Warner Brothers logo appears at the bottom.

Inside, the digital copy floats; there are no left-side tabs because the three-disc set necessitates that the third disc be situated in a hub on that side. The right-hand side houses two more discs in the usual staggered-stacked pattern. The inner print features a two-panel spread image depicting a number of Agent Smiths facing forward, slightly canted. Small, unobtrusive billing appears bottom-right.

As for the on-disc extras, there are many. Various reviews of past iterations break down the content more thoroughly. Below is a basic listing of what's included on each disc. Note that various trailers and TV spots have not been ported over.

UHD/Blu-ray feature film:

• Audio Commentaries: Includes Written Introduction by the Wachowskis, Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber, and Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson.
• In-Movie Experience: Blu-ray Only.

Blu-ray Disc Two (Special Features):

• Behind the Story: A seven-part feature.
  
  
  • Behind The Matrix: Includes Revolutions Recalibrated, Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time, CG Revolution, Super Big Mini Models, Double Agent Smith, Mind Over Matter: The Physicality of The Matrix Future, Future Gamer: The Matrix Online, Before the Revolution, and 3-D Evolution.
  • Crew: Includes Owen's Army: The Australian Art Department, 2nd Unit: A World of Their Own, Bill Pope: Cinematographer of 'The Matrix,' and Masters of Light and Shadow.
  • Hel: Includes Coat Check, Upsidedown Under, Fast Break, Exploding Man, Gun Club, and The Extras of Club Hel.
  • Super Burly Brawl: Includes The Skybarn, The Crater, The Egg, and Anatomy of a Superpunch.
  • New Blue World: Includes Geography of Zion, The Ships, Tour of the Neb, 'Matrix' TV, and Logos Fight Expansion.
  • Siege: Includes Dig This, The Siege Action Match, Anatomy of a Shot: Mifune's Last Stand, Building an APU, and Product of Zion.
  • Aftermath: Includes Revolutionary Composition, The Glue, Dane Tracks, and Cause and Effects.

The Matrix Revolutions 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Warner Brothers has revisited The Matrix Revolutions on UHD and has done a remarkable job of bringing the film to the flagship home format. The 4K resolution renders the film sharp as a tack, supremely detailed, and organically filmic. The Dolby Vision coloring is a revelation and a solidification of the film's overreaching and subtly intimate coloring alike. Black levels might very well be the real highlight, with brilliant whites not far behind and the film's green push a beautiful sight to behold, particularly blended in with the black. The Atmos track is one of the finest in the industry and the package's supplemental content is thorough, highly enjoyable, and eye-opening. The SteelBook is, bluntly, a disappointment. The cover lacks character but with a film as complex as this perhaps its was though the play-it-safe approach was best so as not to confuse buyers with something a more creative mind could conceive. Nevertheless, The Matrix Revolutions's UHD SteelBook comes very highly recommended. The set is also available in basic wide release packaging as well as a trilogy box set.