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Matrix Special Edition Cancelled 237

Posted by Hemos from the killing-it-offten dept.
An anonymous reader writes "According to The Digital Bits, the recently announced Matrix Special Edition has been cancelled. Rumor is that it was cancelled by the Wachowski brothers in hopes of coming out with a Super Collectors Special Edition later."
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Matrix Special Edition Cancelled More

Matrix Special Edition Cancelled

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  • No Official Reason? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by TPIRman ( 142895 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:43PM (#5478403)
    From the article: "There's no official reason given as to why this SE was cancelled."

    From the studio article in the same article: "Warner Home Video will not be releasing the previously announced The Matrix Special Edition double-disc DVD. In a shift in strategy to broaden The Matrix fan base prior to the May 15 theatrical release of the highly anticipated sequel The Matrix Reloaded, Warner Home Video will reprice The Matrix DVD to $19.99 SRP on April 29."

    There's your official reason right there, and it's reasonable. If Warner released an expensive special edition now, it would push the standard Matrix DVD farther back on the shelves. The special edition would sell well, undoubtedly, but only already-dedicated fans would be willing to pay a steep price. With Warner's new strategy, stores will promote the newly-discounted standard DVD, and newbies will be that much more encouraged to get into the film -- and subsequently more likely to head to theaters for the sequel. Makes good sense from a marketing point of view.

    Also, the article doesn't say that the SE has been killed forever -- indeed, it implies that a special edition of some kind will come out when Warner thinks the time is right.

    • Re:No Official Reason? (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      except releasing special edition would not remove the standard edition for the new comers to the franchise.

      fans get the special edition
      new comers get the (cheaper) normal edition

      don't see how NOT releasing the special edition is a better option, because then you're just depriving the fans.

      • Re:No Official Reason? (Score:2, Interesting)

        by KDan ( 90353 )
        Fans will go to the movie anyway, and they'll buy the special collector edition whenever it comes out.

        If they released both, they'd have two products competing for shelf-space needlessly.

        Daniel
        • Fans will go to the movie anyway, and they'll buy the special collector edition whenever it comes out.

          If they released both, they'd have two products competing for shelf-space needlessly.

          Oh, you mean products competing for shelf space like Warcraft III and the Warcraft III Collector's Edition? Or do you mean more like Windows XP Home vs Windows XP Pro? Hang on, maybe you mean it would be two competing products like 4-cylinder vs 6-cylinder models of the same automobile? Or perhaps the way Sony's top-of-the-line A/V equipment competes with its entry-level versions?

          It sure is a good thing that companies don't sell differently graded versions of the same product -- imagine the confusion if Coca-Cola began selling 12oz, 20oz, and 2L units of its beverages! The large 'fan' size would push the smaller 'newbie' drinks off the shelf! And even if the smaller sizes did get shelf space, they'd be competing with each other due to the similarity of their sizes. All the consumers would just get fed up of trying to decipher the options in front of them and end up leaving the store with a few 40s of Olde English instead.

          • Re:No Official Reason? (Score:5, Insightful)

            by someguy ( 23968 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @04:24PM (#5479338)
            You seem to be missing the idea behind normal retail.

            Car dealerships don't have hundreds of models like places that sell movies have hundreds of movies.

            Coke is a firmly entrenched product. In many places it isn't even competing with more than one other company. The campus I attend school at is exlusively Coke. This isn't a situation they can pull with the Matrix DVDs.

            Your Warcraft example doesn't really hold up either. At most times there are no more than a few dozen titles that are being pushed by retail outlets. Again, many fewer titles to compete for marketshare than in the movie section.

            Or maybe you do see the Matrix as being that important as to be on the same level. What WB seems to be trying to accomplish here is ensuring greater sales for the super Matrix edition later by teasing people in with the entry level. Newbies who bought the Matrix normal edition and fell in love probably wouldn't be willing to go out the next day and get the super version. Give them a few months to dig on the normal version AND a new movie - you've not only sold a basic copy, but a super copy as well to the same person.
          • Not quite a fair comparison. Windows didn't come out with XP Home, then 6 months later (with no advanced notice) Windows XP Pro. Honda doesn't release a 4-cylinder model, then follow it up 6 months later with a 6-cylinder model with no advanced warning. Coke is a disposable product, not a collectible, so it doesn't even remotely apply. The point is, I wouldn't have bothered with the initial release if I had known that 6 months later (or in this case, 4 years later) the "ultimate" release would be available that makes my initial purchase less worthy. I wouldn't mind if the original release was much cheaper ($10), as long as I knew a better version was available down the line. Then I could choose whether I wanted the simpler/cheaper package now or wait for the "ultimate" release. New Line, to their credit, did just this with Lord of the Rings. I chose to wait and compare the two releases (the original vs the 4-disk set) and I chose to buy the 4-disk set (even though it cost more).
          • See, I usually end up leaving with a few 40s of O.E. anyway, no matter where I go. :) Unless of course they're stocking Colt 45. I guess you could call it the Calrissian factor.

      • Re:No Official Reason? (Score:5, Insightful)

        by Anonvmous Coward ( 589068 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:28PM (#5478837)
        "don't see how NOT releasing the special edition is a better option, because then you're just depriving the fans."

        "Milking the franchise via special edition DVD's" has been a hot topic lately. Lots of people feel burned when they buy a DVD, only to have a new DVD a few months later that contains bonus footage.

        It's possible that the Wachao..uh...however-you-spell-their-name Brothers has concerns about this release tainting a future and potentially more lucrative release.

      • don't see how NOT releasing the special edition is a better option, because then you're just depriving the fans.

        You've obviously never purchased a product that says "New and Improved!" or "New Packaging, same great taste!" before. And you call yourself a consumer?

      • The main reason is that producing a quality special edition DVD would take away the brothers' time away from the sequels and the ultimate (as in 'inevitable') trilogy special edition release. From that point of view, not having a Matrix SE makes perfect sense.

        Also, now that the last two movies are almost out, most people know a 3-movie single release edition is just around the corner, and will wait a while and spend their money on THAT. In the mean-time, the cheaper regular edition will do to catch them up on the plot.
    • There's your official reason right there, and it's reasonable. If Warner released an expensive special edition now, it would push the standard Matrix DVD farther back on the shelves.
      Though your argument sounds reasonable, I doubt this is what's really behind the studio's decision. After all, it's not like they're still trying to clear out their old back stock [eonline.com] of the original Matrix DVD.

  • What? No Matrix 1.5? (Score:5, Funny)

    by Astroboy! ( 126236 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:44PM (#5478408)
    How can they hope to keep up with the X-Men franchise?

  • They had though of releasing both versions (Score:5, Funny)

    by plexxer ( 214589 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:44PM (#5478411)
    but George Lucas has that idea patented already.
    • If that is the case, it would appear that Peter Jackson & New Line Cinema are infringing on it.

      • Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)

        by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:28PM (#5478845)
        Comment removed based on user account deletion
        • Compare the pre-special edition versions of the SW trilogy with the special editions of the Star Wars trilogy and I think you'll find you're mistaken. The thing that made the SE's worth buying wasn't the extra footage (totally agree on the Greedo thing) -- if you compare them side-by-side, the SE footage is much, much clearer and brighter.

          I'm not saying that Lucas wasn't pulling a milk, but the SE tapes are significantly better than the ones that came before.
          • I'd like to have (dare I suggest it) an SE DVD that lets me pick whether I want to see the original or enhanced version of a particular scene. EG: I like most of of the enhancements in the SE, but would like to be able to revert to the old version for some of the more egregous plot modifications (the aforementioned scene being the best example)
            • No doubt... selectively remove the Greedy first-shot while leaving in the updated X-Wings at the end... snip out the new Sy Snootles song and dance number... replace Jar Jar's patois with an alien voice and subtitles...

              And remove what must, must, must be the worst line in the entire Star Wars Saga:

              Say it with me...

              "Now -- THIS -- is podracing!"

              *shudder*

  • unfortunately i cant show you what it is (Score:3, Funny)

    by mAIsE ( 548 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:45PM (#5478421) Homepage
    no one can be told what the speciali edition is... ;)

  • Reason. (Score:3, Funny)

    by Renraku ( 518261 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:45PM (#5478426) Homepage
    The real reason is that the machines from the Matrix and the machines from Skynet are in different unions, and refuse to work together in the same world, just to entertain us humans.

  • Hmmm... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by TopShelf ( 92521 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:45PM (#5478427) Homepage Journal
    If they indeed cancelled it because they'd rather do the whole thing later on, and do it better, then you have to give them credit. How pi$$ed would fans be if they came out with the SE, and then another version of the same stuff later on?

    • Re:Hmmm... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by sweetooth ( 21075 )
      You mean like every other movie out there? I love how the James Bond box set was released right before the theatre release of a new movie. Hmmm, maybe so they can sell an updated boxed set later on? Or X-Men 1.5. If I had known they were going to release a special edition before X2 came out I would have waited. Instead I'm just going to be happy with the original release. Of course most of my friends rushed out and bought 1.5.

      It's all about gouging the customers for an extra $40. I can't tell you how many people I know didn't realize that a LoTR:FoTR special edition was going to be released in November. They rushed out and bought the theatrical release and then bought the special edtion later for the extra footage. Of course the theatrical release will sit on a shelf collecting dust, but the studio got their extra $20 so who cares right?
      • Well, you can't blame New Line for the LOTR special edition --- from the very beginning, they had said that there was going to be a special FOTR edition in November. I knew about it long before the 'stndard theatrical edition' DVD came out, and subsequently did not buy the theatrical edition. I bought the longer one.

        Now George Lucas on the other hand...:p

        • I did the same with FoTR. However, my point was that many (most) people didn't know. I was at suncoast buying Rob Roy back when the FoTR theatricle release pre orders first started and the guy at the register tried to get me to pre order the movie. I explained I had no desire to pay for it twice and would just buy the release in November. He asked me "What release in November?" At this point it became crystal clear to me why this is such a successful practice. Even if you do plan on releasing two copies of a movie the majority of people will never know about it until they are both released.
      • Taco King product tie-in: $6.50 ($4 for lunch, $2.50 for stuffed Frodo)
        Movie + popcorn for two: $30
        Soundtrack of funky movie music: $15
        DVD of movie at Costco: $18
        DVD+super special extras ("Lord of the Rings + Two towers + bookends + STING!"): $45

        We're up to $115-ish so far, wonder why the industry's so big?
        • We're up to $115-ish so far, wonder why the industry's so big?

          I don't wonder one bit. I just wish they would announce plans to release "special edition" DVD's to begin with so those of us that are cost concious can save a few bucks and get what we actually want. Of course that'd probably be considered the same as stealing $40 billion from the industry and we certainly can't have that.

          Good grief I'm in a bad mood today =(

      • Your friends (and you) are to blame - not New Line (Score:4, Insightful)

        by WIAKywbfatw ( 307557 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:40PM (#5478965) Journal
        I wish people would stop bashing on New Line for releasing the extended version of FOTR a few months after releasing the theatrical version. New Line made this perfectly clear right from the start and, unless you were an idiot or had money to burn, you had no reason to buy the initial release if you knew it was the later version that you would secretly lust for.

        sweettooth, what more did you expect from New Line? An Uruk-Hai warrior standing at every store bashing you on the head whilst shouting "longer version out in November" if you tried to buy the standard release?

        Don't any of your friends who are so DVD-crazy that they buy films as soon as they are released read any film or home video magazines that would have spelt it out for them in big letters? Don't they have a friend (such as yourself) who would tell them to hold their horses until the super-duper version comes out?

        In short, sweettooth, what the hell did New Line do wrong except keep their customers well informed and is it their fault that nobody in your inner circle knew what practically everyone else who cared managed to find out?

        Yeah, New Line. Real SOBs for telling you just what they're going to do and then actually doing it...

        Sheesh. Some people.
        • *SIGH* I didn't buy the theatrical version of FoTR. I also encouraged my friends to not buy it. However even though Newline explicitly said they were releasing an extended version in November it was overshadowed by the massive amount of advertising for the initial release. Most people don't read home video magazines, and most people had no idea that there was going to be a second release later. One of my posts even relates my experience at Suncoast where the sales person wasn't even aware of the second edition coming out later.

          I'm not saying that newline was evil, or that they even did anything wrong. However the majority of movie studios don't mention the fact that they have plans on releasing multiple versions of a movie. In the case of newline you had to know where to look to find out that there was a special edition of the movie to be released on in November.

          Finally, with FoTR you have to remember that a LOT of people rushed out to buy this movie that wouldn't normally rush out to buy a movie. These types of people aren't going to be aware of all of the home video sources, or care for the most part.

  • Only try to realise the truth: ... (Score:3, Funny)

    by kafka93 ( 243640 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:46PM (#5478429)
    .. there is no Special Edition.

  • Dilution (Score:2, Insightful)

    by chemstar ( 457943 )
    I wonder to what extent the expeience of the movie itself becomes diluted with such marketing iterations.

  • Don't worry (Score:3, Funny)

    by blitzoid ( 618964 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:46PM (#5478434) Homepage
    No need to worry, the Super Ultra Deluxe Megaton Special Edition DX Matrix will be coming out soon.

  • Super Collectors Special Edition (Score:4, Funny)

    by MnO-Raphael ( 601885 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:47PM (#5478446)
    Will this one have all guns replaced by walkie-talkies? Or is that Super Extended Collectors Special Edition?

  • You mean Unloaded, not Cancelled. (Score:5, Funny)

    by Limburgher ( 523006 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:47PM (#5478450) Homepage Journal
    Dammit. Could have been so much cooler.

  • Why bother? I'm waiting for the ... (Score:5, Funny)

    by burgburgburg ( 574866 ) <splisken06@@@email...com> on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:48PM (#5478464)
    Super Mega Ultra Special Edition of the Matrix trilogy. That will include enough code to actually create your own Matrix, enslave, at the very least, members of your own family AND do wire work with the best of them (assuming the best of them can't do the kung fu moves without being attached to a wire rig). And it will be reasonably priced for the holiday season.
    • Actually, how cool would it be if they shipped a fully functioning bootable Matrix OS? Base it on Knoppix, tweak it to be fully Matrixed themed, and include it with the DVD set.

      They could put in some bonus video clips, pics, backgrounds, audio clips, Matrix-themed browser, etc.

  • DVD's and Movies with Sequels (Score:3, Interesting)

    by ManUMan ( 571203 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:49PM (#5478473)
    Given that most DVD's now contain special features, it seems like the prudent thing to do is wait until the entire series (LOTR, Star Wars, Matrix, etc.) is released together. Why would I want to pony up the bucks for one special edition DVD when I can wait and get the ultra-super-extra-even specialer Box collection? Further, if you don't know if they are going to release the ultra-super-extra-even specialer Box collection, would you wait until all the DVD's were out just in case? I guess I am going to wait a while before investing in DVD's of any of these series until I see if they will release a whole series of DVD's.
    • It may be prudent, and it may save you to $20 to $30 in the long run, but in the short run I get to go ahead and watch all the movies at home whenever I feel like it, and don't have to wait until November of 2004 or possibly later for the final boxed set of LOTR to come out. If such a box set comes and contains more goodies that make it worth an extra $60 or whatever it costs, then I'll probably buy it too, and won't care one bit that I own some movies two or three times. In essence, it's worth $30 for me to watch FoTR and all it's bonus stuff now even if it means I might wind up buying it again in the future. Of course NewLine will have to put enough goodies on there to make me feel it's worth it, whoever made X-Men 1.5 failed to do that, so it's getting a rental.

  • Moved to archive: (Score:5, Informative)

    by DeadSea ( 69598 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:49PM (#5478474) Homepage Journal
    The correct link for the article [thedigitalbits.com], since the article was moved off the home page into the archives.

  • When asked for comment... (Score:5, Funny)

    by SlowMovingTarget ( 550823 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:51PM (#5478494) Homepage
    ...Matrix star Keanu Reeves replied: "Whoa."

  • Not to mention... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by JayBlalock ( 635935 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:51PM (#5478496)
    The "Special Edition" DVD was going to be 90% recycled material from the original Matrix and Matrix Revisited DVDs, with only a bit more added. Perhaps someone realized that no one was going to buy it. (casual fans would just buy the movie, hardcore fans already have 'Revisited') Kudos to the Wachowskis for NOT trying to gouge their fans!

  • Noooooo! (Score:5, Funny)

    by Jordy ( 440 ) <.moc.pacons. .ta. .nadroj.> on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:52PM (#5478501) Homepage
    Well I guess we can't have everything.

    At least we'll have the Platinum Edition, Superbit Edition, Limited Edition, Full Screen Edition, Widescreen Edition, Platinum Series Exteneded Edition, Collector's Edition, Boomstick Edition, Box Set, Unrated Edition, Criterion Edition, Ultimate Edition, 20th Anniversary Edition (in 20 years), Director's Cut, Deluxe Edition and of course this Super Collectors Special Edition to buy and enjoy!

    My god I'm stick of DVD editions.

  • The reason why... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Toasty16 ( 586358 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:52PM (#5478502) Homepage
    ...they cancelled it because the special edition was just the original Matrix DVD bundled with "Enter the Matrix", a making-of DVD that was previously only available as a separate purchase. That makes buying the "Special Edition" redundant because every geek worth his salt already has the Matrix DVD, so now they would have TWO identical DVDs and a making-of DVD. With that stupid project cancelled, the Wachowskis+WB can work on a TRUE special edition, possibly with more special features and commentary by cast members other than Carrie-Anne Moss. Of course, I can't wait to be fleeced of $70 for the ultra-mega-super-duper edition 6-disc trilogy set coming out after the release of the "The Matrix: Revolutions."

  • Very Nice Move (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Strange Ranger ( 454494 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:55PM (#5478530)
    > Rumor is that it was cancelled by the Wachowski brothers in hopes of coming out with a Super Collectors Special Edition later."

    rather than trying to milk us for both the Special Edition and then (surprise!) the Super Collectors Special Edition.
    The theater release schedule is terrific as well.

    The Wachowski brothers are going to have a huge and satisfied fan base simply by doing the opposite of whatever this guy [starwars.com] has done.

  • Ah, the Lucas gambit (Score:5, Insightful)

    by sql*kitten ( 1359 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:59PM (#5478574)
    Rumor is that it was cancelled by the Wachowski brothers in hopes of coming out with a Super Collectors Special Edition later

    This is how it works:
    1. Shoot a movie, but keep all the unused material from the cutting room floor
    2. Every few months, splice some of these back into the film, think of a new name for the film like "Special Edition", "Director's Cut", "Colllector's Edition" or any combination of the above, or reformat it to widescreen. Sell this new film at full price in the stores.
    3. PROFIT!!


    Who are the customers? Die hard fans, and relatives who have no idea what to get someone for xmas/birthday but remember that they liked the film when it was on at the cinema. Don't get me wrong, I thought The Matrix was a good film, but it was never a cultural revolution, it was always a franchise.

  • Ad-dot (Score:3, Funny)

    by macshune ( 628296 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @02:59PM (#5478581) Journal
    Stuff is news, from nerds that matter.

  • DVD Crock ! (Score:5, Insightful)

    by bushboy ( 112290 ) <lttc@lefthandedmonkeys.org> on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:01PM (#5478594) Homepage
    Beware of what your buying into...

    You pay the price to see the movie big-screen and then they can fleece you later on with the same movie on DVD that has *EXTRA FEATURES*

    Later on, there's a super-extended *Directors Cut* version.

    The bad side of this digital-age is obvious - overpriced, over-sold, over exagerated, redundant.

    The good side is not so obvious and rarely seen these days - pure quality and value for money.

    This quality is out there, but my god, you have to wade through 90% of crap to find it.

    • Re:DVD Crock ! (Score:5, Insightful)

      by stratjakt ( 596332 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:04PM (#5478633) Journal
      >> they can fleece you later on with the same movie on DVD that has *EXTRA FEATURES*

      How is that fleecing you? You don't need to buy the Special Edition, the Collectors Edition, and the Boxed Set when it's released.

      I don't get the whole "how dare they think of offering a product that I dont need" attitude.

      You dont want it? Dont buy it. What's the rub?
      • I don't get the whole "how dare they think of offering a product that I dont need" attitude.

        Here's why it sucks:

        1. Your friend, a wannabe $MAIN_CHARACTER spends money on this rather than on other stuff that would be more enjoyable, and claims he's 1337
        2. Your ex-surrogate-grand-aunt heard from your 2nd cousin, twice removed, that you liked this series, so they buy you the DVD for christmas (by which time, the *real* special edition DVD, the one you wanted instead of this crippled version is out in stores)
        3. They spent money marketting and selling this
          and the worst... drumroll
        4. The shitty ads that whet your appetite and keep the interest at insane levels

        I hate unneeded product as much as those wasted AOL cd's that keep littering my mailbox.

    • Re:DVD Crock ! (Score:5, Funny)

      by WankersRevenge ( 452399 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:58PM (#5479159)
      This quality is out there, but my god, you have to wade through 90% of crap to find it.

      And how is this any different from posting on Slashdot?

      ;)

  • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 )
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Obligatory PVP link for multiple DVD versions (Score:5, Funny)

    by Oliver Wendell Jones ( 158103 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:06PM (#5478644)

    Click here [pvponline.com]

  • The brothers made a good move (Score:3, Insightful)

    by quick9vb ( 628271 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:08PM (#5478662)
    I think they made a good move by delaying this. They decided not to alientate those potential customers who are not already Matrix loyalists as other movie franchises have, i.e. Star Wars, LOTR. It is tough for a non-franchise fan to get into the all movie hoopla if they haven't seen where the franchise originated, especially if they have to spend $50 for a special edition for a movie they aren't even sure they will like.

    Opinions may vary on what franchise is best, or whether or not this was a good move for the current fan base, but in the end it will all work out. The Matrix fanatics who are complaining and freaking out about the announcement will still be the first ones in the line to purchase the special editions next spring.

    • It is tough for a non-franchise fan to get into the all movie hoopla if they haven't seen where the franchise originated, especially if they have to spend $50 for a special edition for a movie they aren't even sure they will like.

      Ummmmmm, isn't that what Blockbuster and the like are for? So that you *don't* have to buy movies you may not like?

  • Whats stopping them from milking us? why not release BOTH. It's not like they haven't done it before. Like those LOTR releases.
  • I think it's wierd why the matrix has decided to change it's programs. I mean it COULD just spew out different versions for all of us to see. Could someone who took the right pill, please change this.

    Also while you are at it, the fluid in my battery cell could need to be changed, I think I made a boo boo in the real world.

  • Super Collectors Special Edition? (Score:4, Funny)

    by drblunt ( 606487 ) on Monday March 10, 2003 @03:37PM (#5478933)
    Then, after the Super Collectors Special Edition, they will take all three movies, put them in a 8 DVD set, and release the Ultimate Super Happy Collectors Special Fun-Time Edition, followed by the Utlimate Super Happy Collectors Special Fun-Time Edition :Platnium Edition, now with The Super Special Ultimate Trading Cards of Doom.

    Man, I can't wait.

    Doc


  • This makes room for a delux Box set later with DTS sound. A SE disc now just waters that option down later.

  • Don't be hasty (Score:2, Interesting)

    by darth_flannel ( 651866 )
    I don't think the Wachowski brothers are out to screw over DVD users. It's reasonable to think that the Special Edition was cancelled because it wouldn't add much to the experience (X-Men 1.5, anyone?).

    If anything, waiting a little while longer for a box-set or other version would permit the adding in of other featurettes and options that make the purchase of a different disc a little more logical. I, for one, wouldn't mind getting a matrix set with the animatrix reels in there as well (http://www.theanimatrix.com/ [theanimatrix.com]).

    I'm no apologist for the big production houses that screw over hungry consumers like ourselves, but I do like to see REAL content added from version to version.

    • X-Men 1.5 was a nice release if you did not already own the first release or if you were a huge fan of the film and wanted to see the "extra" footage.

  • Look, everybody knows there will be several different releases of the special edition. You've got 1st mix through 7th mix, followed by The Matrix Disney Daze, then Matrix 7th Mix MAX and MAX2, followed, of course, by The Matrix 7th Mix MAX300A.

    The later versions will change uot the simple DVD scene selection menu for a pentagon system where you can select versions of the movie with varying amounts of action, intrigue, sex, technology, and agents. Also, if you hit certain combos or finish the movie in a certain amount of time, you unlock secret versions.
  • Yeah... sure... we're going to produce a special DVD... got your attention? got you talking to friends? okay... now were not... got your attention again? got you talking to your friends again?
  • I got sucked in to buying both rereleases of the original Star Wars series on VHS. I know that I'll shell out for the re-re-release when the finally put it on DVD.

    I barely avoided buying both releases of LOTR Fellowship, only by 'borrowing' the first two disk set from family and 'forgetting' to return it until the four-disk came out. (come to think of it, I may still have the first set..)

    I've worn out the Matrix on VHS, and I 've been waiting to rebuy it on DVD, but I KNEW that a special edition would come out as soon as I bought it.

    Now, it's close enough that I can just wait and buy the whole box set. For once, I'll come out ahead in this game.

    Neo must be tampering with the Matrix...

    • No, you'll still get screwed, you'll just have to wait a few months (year?) longer.

      The song and dance about "New, NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE" basically comes down to 3 to 5 deleated shots and some stills.

      The LOTR EE release, on the other hand, was an excellent reason to double dip. None of the extra content from the first release was on the EE.

  • That's it! (Score:2, Funny)

    by lewp ( 95638 )
    I'm putting those Wachowski brothers on double secret probation.
  • Rumor is that it was cancelled by the Wachowski brothers in hopes of coming out with a Super Collectors Special Edition later

    Sheesh, first the Animatrix, now this!

    Super Collectors Special Edition? Why not just call it "Supa Mega Nova Haipa Pawa Burasto DVD"??
  • Lord of the Rings, with its 5-27 different versions, has completely alienated, at the very least, me. When I watched Lord of the Rings in theaters, I thought "This is it. This is the movie that I will buy a DVD player to see."

    After three "special edition"s, I do not intend to ever buy Lord of the Rings on DVD. As for the Animatrix, I'll probably just buy the DVD and download it to watch. Or maybe just download it to watch.

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