The Animatrix: A Detective Story

I've seen three of the Animatrix episodes, and this is my favorite of all of them. The Second Renaissance provided a flimsy back story to the already flimsy universe. Program was a stylistically impressive number, it just felt kind of silly. I guess what gives this one it's special touch is the direction from Shinichiro Watanabe, director of the incredibly popular (and for good reason) series Cowboy Bebop. It has some of the best elements of Bebop: slick, sci-fi adventure, a no-nonsense, slightly apathetic hero working for hire, a bounty-head (more or less), and a chase scene, all wrapped up in an excellent film-noir packaging. Watanabe's Tarantino-style slickness comes through here full throttle.

I love film noir. The aesthetic, the mystery, the cynicism; it all really appeals to me. In this Animatrix short Ash, a private detective is hired to find Trinity. All other PIs have failed to locate her, either winding up dead or crazy. But Ash perseveres and meets with Trinity on a lonely train, where the Agents are waiting to apprehend them.

Although featuring modern technology the rest of the animation design is of 1940s vintage. This is my absolute favorite look for movies. I wish my whole life was a film noir. If I could go into the Matrix I'd ask the Agents to make that wish come true. One of the better Animatrix shorts and a great short in its own right.

Wow, its been quite a while since I've watched anything so mysterious in the way it is portrayed.

A Detective Story uses old fashioned black and white images to portray a private investigator who dresses in an old fashioned trench coat and hat. The theme of this animation is reminiscent of that of Sam Spayed which was briefly mentioned by Ash.

Sick of spying on cheating house wives because of his clients, Ash was offered a chance to track down a "computer hacker" which he thought was a worthwhile chance for a four figure sum he could not turn down and the rest is history.

The ending was a little bit bland but still okay. For those out there who like old fashion stories this is the one for you.

One of the 9 shorts of the Animatrix, this one tells the story about private detective Ash, who is hired to get a hold on Trinity, in his eyes just a computer hacker.

Ash seeks contact and finally finds Trinity, only to find out how things aren't really as they are.

The animation is stylish and one of the best of the series, atmosphere is good as well but something is lacking. Like the whole animatrix series is lacking. Still, it is one of the best of the bunch (after 'Osiris' and 'Beyond').

6/10.

This is the fifth part of 'The Animatrix', a collection of animated short movies that tell us a little more about the world of 'The Matrix'. This time they introduce Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a story about a detective who is hired to find her. With great black and white animation and an interesting story this is again a great animated short from 'The Animatrix'.