By REBECCA BARRY
So what is the Animatrix? Just when you thought you had answered the Wachowski Brothers' "What is the Matrix?" mind-bender about their original sci-fi film, they offer another pill to swallow: is there only one Matrix? Or several?
The answer lies within a series of futuristic, Japanese-style, short animated
films, The Animatrix, the result of a three-year collaboration between the trilogy creators and master animators from Japan, South Korea and the United States.
The films, some of which have already appeared on the trilogy's website - have been bundled together for a one weekend-only worldwide cinema run, starting today.
Each is between six and 17 minutes long and provides further insight into the genesis of the fictional Matrix world. The Wachowskis wrote four of the nine animes, which will also be released on DVD next month. Here's where the nine shorts fit in to the Matrix scheme of things ...
Final Flight of the Osiris
A band of human revolutionaries deliver a warning to Neo and his companions in Zion. Andy Jones' anime ties in directly with The Matrix Reloaded plot that has been screening in New Zealand cinemas, before the horror flick, Dreamcatcher.
The Second Renaissance: Parts I & II
Mahiro Maeda recounts the history of the rise of intelligent robots in the 21st century, their war for survival with the human race and the construction of the Matrix.
Program
Yoshiaki Kawajiri's combat-style anime features a warrior seduced by the image of a former lover inside a samurai simulation game.
A Detective Story
Within Shinichiro Watanabe's black and white concrete jungle, a hardened private eye sets out to capture Trinity (voiced by Carrie-Anne Moss).
Kids Story
Featuring the voices of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, Watanabe's second anime introduces a new character who appears in The Matrix Reloaded.
World's Record
A champion sprinter's superhuman exertions push him through the Matrix barrier. Takeshi Koike recreates the visuals of Golden Age comic book giant Jack Kirby.
Beyond
A group of teenagers discover a programming glitch in a forgotten corner of Koji Morimoto's Matrix neighbourhood.
Matriculated
A sentient robot is plugged into a man-made Matrix simulation. Peter Chung creates a world unlike any human one.
* At selected cinemas, today, Saturday and Sunday
