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.
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