Source France | Publisher : Warner Bros. | Release date : 31 October 2018
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.40
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Artistic : 8.5 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 10
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers that, in addition to the specified and used viewing equipment, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence notation. In addition, the images (from the site) caps-a-holic) serve as an illustration and cannot be considered representative of the edition tested.
Test equipment and condition (Config. HP: 5.1.4)
Video broadcaster : Sony Bravia XR-65A95L (Dolby Dark Vision)
Sources : Oppo UDP-203 Audiocom Reference | Zappiti Reference
Pregnant : Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max (Dolby Atmos | Dolby Surround), SVS SB-4000
Contents
Matrix, birth
In the near future, a computer hacker named Neo discovers that reality is only a huge simulation created by the Matrix, reducing the human species to slavery. For Morpheus, Neo is « The elected », able to defeat the Matrix and its ferocious Agents...
A visionary work that marked his time (the advent of connected societies), a philosophical machine with various motifs (the cave allegory, the Hegelian dialectic) and a great show with striking action scenes (the assault of the building) and innovative special effects (the bull-time), this cyber-thriller cult rich in literary inspirations (Lewis Carroll, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov) and cinematographic (Ghost in the Shell, Dark City, Cold sweats, Total Recall, Hong Kong cinema), combines technical prowess and narrative complexity to better surprise us. Whether we like it or not, there was a before and a after Matrix.
Captured in 35 mm Kodak during shooting with SFX supervised in 2K, Matrix makes its long-awaited appearance on Ultra HD Blu-ray support thanks to Warner, which for the occasion realized a complete remastering of the work from a new 4K scan. Moreover, Bill Pope, the director of photography, has itself set up the new colorimetric calibration of this edition. Importantly before starting, the new Blu-ray made from the latest available material is a disaster. Not so much on the definition and piqué side that are superior to the previous edition, but on the side of colors that are strange and contrasts completely washed. It would appear that Warner automatically convert the UHD HDR disk to CSD! For greater transparency, the comparison will be made with the Blu-ray released in 2008. So, are you ready to follow the white rabbit? Some plans have been cropped in order to refocus the characters (that's what I suppose), the definition has made a good significant forward, many details so far gone unnoticed are clearly more visible (the pores of the skin, the costumes, the decorations), the plans appear with more relief thanks to a better cutting of the elements of the frame, the contrasts have been remarkably boosted (with brighter whites and more supported shadows), the light sources are much more intense (the lines of code, the lightings of the city, the monitors in the Nebuchadnezzar, the light sources are much more intense (the lines of code, the lightings of the city, the monitors in the Nebuchadnezzar, the « eyes » Sentinels, the tactical lamps of the special forces and j But where this magnificent 4K edition stands out the most, it's about the important changes that have been made to color calibration. Very singular when it was released in HD (it was more neutral on the DVD), the colorimetric palette of this first opus was violently adjusted to better stick to the photo of the following shutters. To do this, a greenish filter had been applied without discernment on all the scenes taking place in the matrix, with the aim of obviously reminding us of its simulated nature. And where it had been carefully studied for the
If the VF Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps) remains unfortunately unchanged (and what to say if it is only sprayed by the English track), the VO Dolby Atmos (24-bit, 4868 kbps) saw it remixed for a very bluffing result. The voices are always perceptible, the dynamics are monstrous, the spatialization is prodigious (the trajectory of the bullets during the bubble-time on the roof), the effects are striking (the sound of the impactors, the impacts on the walls, the blows carried), the atmospheres are ultra-immersive (climate conditions, dives from one world to another, passers-by during the matrix training program, computer noises on board the Nebuchadnezzar), the surrounds are in the grip (it's a festival during the shootings), the air scene is regularly felt (rain, thunder, the resonance of the shots, the blades of a helicopter, the presence of Sentinels within the hovercraft, etc.), the score « Send wood » And the bass are virile at will. To make it simple, this sound mixing locks us in a dreadful sound bubble.
Artistic : 9 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 10
Matrix Reloaded, life
Neo learns how to better control his natural gifts, even as Zion is about to fall under the assault of the Army of Machines. But Morpheus galvanizes citizens by reminding them of the Word of Oracle. All the hopes therefore refer to « The elected »...
Multiplying ideas to better push the boundaries of « blockbuster who thinks », sisters Wachowski deliver a stage film guided by the senses (like its protagonists, including programs) and driven by generosity (in the toning action as in the complex discourse) where the fog surrounding the quest for sound « Messiah » (still unconscious) asks the spectator about his own expectations. Risque and ambitious since it is only a huge challenge to his own mythology, this fusion between cinema, animation and video game (including the Burly Brawl, one of the most expensive and complex scenes in the history of 7th art, would be the perfect synthesis) has not finished making debate.
As with Matrix first of the name, the UHD transfer of this second part comes from a new 4K scanning of the original negative. And Bill Pope (Spider-Man 2 & 3, Scott Pilgrim, Baby Driver, Alita: Battle Angel), the director of photography, has itself engaged in the colorimetric calibration of this edition. Before starting, however, you should know that the images of the new Blu-ray are problematic. Not so much on the definition and piqué side that are superior to the previous exit, but on the side of the colors that are weird and contrasts completely to the pick (high lights are burned). It would seem that Warner automatically converted the HDR UHD disk to SDR! For more serious, the comparison will be made with the Blu-ray released in 2008. So, are you ready to hit the highway in 4K? For starters, the definition makes a good forward impressive with considerably clearer details (faces, clothes, objects, wall decorations). Next to this, the HD master is very soft with less well cut planes. There is also the organic texture (a filming on 35 mm film) which is now more delicate and homogeneous. Then, the contrasts are much more marked with brighter whites (the control room on Zion) and stronger blacks. As a result, dark scenes become readable without shadows covering the frame elements. And there are also the light sources that are much brighter (the lines of code, the light of Zion, the flames, the stabilizers of the ships). Finally, the colorimetric palette no longer makes in coarse green filtering and is adjusted for a more modern and nuanced rendering. In the matrix, if the green dominant remains for
), the director of photography, has itself engaged in the colorimetric calibration of this edition. Before starting, however, you should know that the images of the new Blu-ray are problematic. Not so much on the definition and piqué side that are superior to the previous exit, but on the side of the colors that are weird and contrasts completely to the pick (high lights are burned). It would seem that Warner automatically converted the HDR UHD disk to SDR! For more serious, the comparison will be made with the Blu-ray released in 2008. So, are you ready to hit the highway in 4K? For starters, the definition makes a good forward impressive with considerably clearer details (faces, clothes, objects, wall decorations). Next to this, the HD master is very soft with less well cut planes. There is also the organic texture (a filming on 35 mm film) which is now more delicate and homogeneous. Then, the contrasts are much more marked with brighter whites (the control room on Zion) and stronger blacks. As a result, dark scenes become readable without shadows covering the frame elements. And there are also the light sources that are much brighter (the lines of code, the light of Zion, the flames, the stabilizers of the ships). Finally, the colorimetric palette no longer makes in coarse green filtering and is adjusted for a more modern and nuanced rendering. In the matrix, if the green dominant remains for
Artistic : 8.5 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 10
If the VF lossy (640 kbps) is unfortunately identical to the Blu-ray and gets crushed by the devastating VO (24-bit, 3873 kbps), the latter carefully remixed in Dolby Atmos for the occasion is a permanent demonstration track. The dialogues are perfectly exuded by the front (the Architect is delighted), the dynamics are affluent, the spatialization gives to heart joy with effects/ambitions of always audible and well directed everywhere, the rear scene is at its maximum (the restaurant of the Merovingian, the traffic during the chase on the highway), the height channels are regularly part of the part (resonance of the shots, explosions, glass breaks, the flights of Neo, etc.), the urgency of the partition of Don Davis is delivered with a momentum that climbs crescendo, and the LFE channel supports the whole with a solidity of all the moments.
Matrix Revolutions, Death
While the Army of Machines sows desolation on Zion, its citizens organize a fierce defense. But can they retain the relentless clouds of Sentinels until Neo appropriates all of his powers and ends the war?
To avoid repetition since the UHD transfers of the saga films are sunk in the same mould, I invite you to read the above 4K Ultra HD tests. But to sum up, this complete recasting of the work from a new 4K scan, where the opp's conductor himself occupied with the new colorimetric calibration, is magnificent. Captured in 35 mm with a wonderfully stable silver texture, the images deliver incredible details (the fineness of the backgrounds), wider and brighter colours (Persephone's red outfit at Club Hell) with new shades (photographing is no longer free as green), stronger contrasts where shadows are better designed, and much more realistic lighting (code lines, explosions, etc.) « eyes » Sentinels) to highlight everything. The mean bitrate was measured at 51.3 Mbps.
Even more epic than the soundtracks of previous opus, the 3D mixing of the VO (24-bit, 3975 kbps) kicks everything in its way! The dynamic is removed, the soundscape is littered with effects that swirl from everywhere and ubiquitous atmospheric atmospheres (beating rain falls directly into the listening room), all the speakers take part in the battle (already that it does not leave a minute of respite to the aerial scene, the assault of the machines on Zion is an absolutely delusional acoustic maelström) with as much strength as of careful, the darker and spiritual partition of the Don Davis is of a welcome magnitude (especially during the final confrontation), the bass are of striking violence and the dialogues remain clear even when it strikes severe. Still deprived of HD audio, the VF (640 kbps) can nevertheless rely on its surround effects to make forget that it is one hundred cubits below in all other areas.
Artistic : 8 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 10
« You take the blue pill, the story ends there. You wake up in bed, and you believe what you want. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I'll show you how far it goes. »
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