'Revisited' goes beyond bullet time

The Matrix" revolutionized the sci-fi genre upon its release it 1999. The film's power was so great it even managed to dull the tremendous roar of the then highly anticipated "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" released later that year.\nEagerness for the film's sequels "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" is growing among filmgoers. Thus, it seems appropriate that Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver released a documentary chronicling the hype surrounding the franchise solely in DVD format.\n"The Matrix Revisited" features the active participation of many of the trilogy's primary creative forces. "Matrix" scribes and directors Andy and Larry Wachowski step before the camera for a change, as does talented cinematographer Bill Pope. These men share interesting tidbits on the first film's production as well as hints concerning the impending sequels and the inevitable "Matrix" anime releases. \nViewers will be treated to sequences of the series' primary actors enduring training under the watchful eye of world-renowned martial arts choreographer Yuen Wooping. These training sessions are in preparation for both the original flick as well as the dual shoot of the series' sequels.\nOne of the most interesting aspects of the DVD features special effects supervisor John Gaeta and his creation of the once revolutionary, but now frequently ripped-off, technique known as bullet-time. The DVD goes so far as to include the first test run of the effect caught on home video. Even in such a coarse format the effect is truly inspiring.\n"The Matrix Revisited" contains no supplementary materials because the documentary itself is essentially a grandiose incarnation of most discs' extras. The DVD probably won't interest the masses, but film fanatics and fans of "The Matrix" should definitely pick up this release.