Program (2003)

Too much of everything

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Two Samurai are tackling a training program. When the digital bad guys are vanquished the man (Duo) tells the woman (Cis) that he wishes to go back to the Matrix and that he should go with her. She disagrees, they clash, one of them loses.It's a thin premise but saved by nice twist. Ninja Scroll director Yoshiaki Kawajiri brings his usual visual style to the story but it's nothing you haven't seen a hundred times before. The action isn't too exciting and the color schemes are kinda bland.The Animatrix shorts are mostly good but this one is probably the worst, that's not to say it's terrible, just not that great.

maybe you regret making an Animatrix that doesn't offer anything original. this is certainly watchable, visually spectacular and crisply animated, by Mad House, prolific anime animators whose work and style i recognise from the continuity-destroying-but-pretty Final Fantasy 7 anime Last Order, competently scripted, said dialogue performed well and exciting in content and in the graceful, epic and spirited battles and physical and ideological conflict that ensues. it tells the story of a lady enjoying her favourite training simulation when a man called Duo enters the frame and locks them in, proposing a return to the matrix for them both, because he loves her and wants to stop the fighting and the struggles of the war against the machines, to which the lady protagonist refuses to co-operate and resists. they discuss the prospect heatedly while battling across a range of simulated environments.the problem? Cypher had the exact same idea in the first Matrix movie and the issue was explored and resolved satisfactorily. this Animatrix is weak because it offers no twist or original slant on the theme, simply retelling a story that was adequately dealt with by Cypher's actions. there is a hint of tortured doubt or ambiguity at the end when, having been released from the simulation which is revealed to be just that, training, the girl shuts her eyes solemnly in the lift, but it's not worthwhile, it's simply diversionary.it is well made and enjoyable to watch, to its credit. it features plenty of armour, environments, buildings and scenarios evocative of Japanese warrior traditions which is a big influence on the Wachowskis and which is no doubt a feature emphasised by Japanese director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and it does suggest at the very least that perhaps as a reaction to Cypher's actions in the Matrix such a test of loyalty and whether crew members of ships are steadfast in their devotion to Zion and unwilling to betray their fellows has become a staple of training programs for crews in the matrix world. but it doesn't bring much else to the table.still, in conclusion, this being the least original and one of the weaker Animatrix, it is still a feast for the eyes and a well made anime, and it reflects well on the Animatrix as a series.

This is the fourth part of 'The Animatrix', a collection of animated short movies that tell us a little more about the world of 'The Matrix'. In this one two characters are in training and one of them wants to go back in the matrix like Cypher wanted to in the movie.With a different kind of animation, some fine action and a surprise in the end this is another fine short from 'The Animatrix'.

A story set in the Matrix world, it shows a soldier of Zion in a samurai training program (like the construct where Morpheus and Neo have a kungfu duel.) She has to choose between her loyalty to her comrades and the cause, and love for her boyfriend who wants to return to the Matrix... The backgrounds and the Japanese temples are very beautifully portrayed and the fight sequences are excellent. The overall look is like any anime action movie.