The Art of the Matrix [Anglais] [Relié]

"The corner has been turned, where the impossible becomes possible," writes film editor Zach Staenberg in his introduction to the high-octane science fiction sensation that captured four Oscars less than a year ago. Illustrating the arduous production process, this hefty tribute showcases everything from Steve and Andy Wachowski's original stick figure sketches to the conceptual designs and dynamic, scene-by-scene storyboards (drawn and commented on by Geof Darrow, Steve Skroce and Tani Kunitake) that convinced Warner Bros. to green-light the project. Although some stunts, like Trinity's dive into a window from the top of a moving El train, were aborted because of safety and budgetary concerns, the movie closely mirrors the seamless narrative of the storyboards. In addition to the visuals, this comprehensive volume includes a final draft of the shooting script as well as scene notes and deleted script excerpts provided by Phil Oosterhouse, assistant to the Wachowski brothers. One cut that fans will find of particular interest occurs in the first scene. What was initially a segment addressing the consequences of leaving the Matrix and everyone in it is replaced by Trinity's thrilling introduction and narrow escape. The final pages will whet the appetites of Matrix enthusiasts further with an offering of several full-color promotional film shots and an enthusiastic afterword by renowned SF author William Gibson. As the first and only movie companion licensed by the Wachowski brothers, this pictorial feast is a must-have for SF fans and Matrix loyalists this gift-giving season.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Adult/High School-The Matrix, according to science-fiction author William Gibson, is "something very special: a big, muscular `effects' movie that's wildly generous with visual thrills,-and, most important of all, has a good heart." Substitute the word "book" for movie and you have a decent description of this title. It includes storyboards, both black and white and in color, with commentary by the artists; conceptual drawings; movie stills; information about cut scenes; scene notes; and the shooting script. The storyboards are essentially a graphic presentation of the movie. It is particularly fascinating to read the artists' own comments about their work. Fans of The Matrix and film-studies students will appreciate this glimpse into the preproduction process. The only disappointment is not hearing from the Wachowski brothers themselves, but they are apparently hard at work on the sequels. This is a large, beautifully designed book, with high-quality paper and sharp, striking pictures. It includes four gatefolds of marvelously detailed conceptual drawings. A browser's delight.-Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

[R]eveals far more than the Matrix DVD does about the clarity of the vision of writer-directors Andy and Larry Wachowski.

Many reviewers of the sf movie The Matrix (1999) compared it, usually pejoratively, to a comic book, but few may have known that its directors, Larry and Andy Wachowski, began their careers in comics. They mapped out its complex story in an elaborate series of shot-by-shot storyboards drawn by prominent comics artists. Those 600 storyboards--essentially, a giant comic-strip of the film--are the core of this lavish tome that includes storyboards and commentary for three scenes cut before filming. Rounding out the massive volume are four gatefolds displaying conceptual drawings, thumbnail sketches by the Wachowski brothers, 32 pages of stills and posters, and the complete screenplay. The Matrix now enjoys a phenomenally successful afterlife as the largest-selling DVD ever, so expect this elaborate souvenir book, with its behind-the-scenes details, to be hugely appealing to the movie's insatiable fans. With two sequels to the movie in the works, the book may have long legs--shelf life, that is--too. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

[T]his unusual gift book provides a rare glimpse inside the pain-staking process of producing a major special effects extravaganza.

This pictorial feast is a must-have for science-fiction fans and Matrix loyalists.

The Art of The Matrix goes beyond the film. But you cannot be told what this book is...you have to see it for yourself! The most unusual one-of-a-kind giftbook of the season, and the first and only book licensed by the creators of this awesome film--this is the complete pre-production archive of artwork and conceptual drawings, along with the script and commentary in the artists' own voices, in a beautifully printed, large format book, four-color throughout--long awaited by Matrix fans worldwide. Grossing more than $400 million worldwide, ranked as one of the all-time top-selling home video releases with over 2,000,000 DVDs sold, and winner of four Academy Awards--Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing--The Matrix has proven to be nothing short of a phenomenon. The tale of Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker forced to confront his special destiny in the salvation of mankind, challenged our perceptions of reality and expanded our expectations of what a movie could be. Spencer Lamm writes in his introduction: "This book was created to express some sense of the massive planning that went into the film. It showcases the bulk of the artwork, presenting a close approximation of what was shown to the studio...Combining all the art, the Wachowskis were able to walk people through the script [219 scenes] producing, essentially, a 400-page giant comic book. Initially a tool to sell the picture, it became a detailed map for production."

Exclusive to this volume are:
* The complete shooting script by writers/directors Larry & Andy Wachowski
* The complete B&W storyboards (700+) by Steve Skroce (Spider-Man, Wolverine)
* The complete color storyboards by Tani Kunitake (Armageddon, 12 Monkeys)
* The complete and intensely intricate conceptual illustrations by Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled, Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot), presented in four double-sided gatefolds
* Introduction by Zach Staenberg, Oscar-winning Film Editor
* Afterword by William Gibson, author of Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive, and All Tomorrow's Parties
* 32-page color photo album of memorable stills and posters
* Commentary by all the artists about their work on the film, interviewed especially for this book
* Also: Thumbnail sketches by the Wachowski Brothers, deleted script excerpts, scene notes by Phil Oosterhouse (assistant to the Wachowski Brothers), three cut storyboard sequences, film credits.
* 488 pages (including 4 double-sided gatefolds and 32 page photo section). 8 38" x 10 78". Over 1000 illustrations. Complete storyboards and conceptual drawings, screenplay, more than 30 movie photos, posters, credits. Four-color printing throughout.

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." --Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), from the shooting script of The Matrix

The Matrix motion picture artwork and photography copyright (c) 2000 Warner Bros. All rights reserved.

Larry and Andy Wachowski (The Wachowski Brothers) previously wrote and directed the motion picture Bound. Steve Skroce was one of the principal artists on the Marvel Comics series Gambit and Wolverine. Geof Darrow co-created the Dark Horse Comics' title Hard Boiled. Tani Kunitake was an illustrator for the motion pictures Armageddon and Batman and Robin. Zach Staenberg received an Academy Award for Best Film Editing for The Matrix, as well as an American Cinema Editor's Eddie Award. He was also the editor of the films Bound, Nowhere to Run, and the HBO Television production Gotti, for which he won his first Eddie Award in addition to being nominated for an Emmy and Cable Ace award. < He lives in New York.