The Matrix 4K UHD (1999)

[motorheadache95]

I’ll just throw this out here again—I know prints vary, and maybe can change a bit with age, so I know this isn’t necessarily definitive— but I did go see a vintage 35mm print of The Matrix a few months ago, pretty shortly after watching it on UHD.
It was remarkably similar in the look and colors to the UHD for most of the movie. It was a bit inconsistent. It had plenty of cyan in many parts of the film. I went home right after the screening and scene checked many parts of the film, and sure enough, it was pretty damn close.
EXCEPT the shootout and rooftop scenes towards the end. The print looked much more like the images going around— the lobby was grey and the outside scenes on the rooftop were almost bleached white looking. I suspect at this point Bill Pope wanted to adjust that and bring in more of the cyan that was present is the rest of the film, but I’m just speculating. It doesn’t bother me or feel out of place though, as the entire movie used blues and greens in the Matrix scenes to
make it feel “off” and unnatural.

[ImBlu_DaBaDee]

I watched this movie for the first time ever on Prime Video last night, it was amazing! I definitely see why it’s considered a sci-fi classic. I’m glad they did a good job with this UHD because I’ll be looking to pick it up next time it’s cheap.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I’ll just throw this out here again—I know prints vary, and maybe can change a bit with age, so I know this isn’t necessarily definitive— but I did go see a vintage 35mm print of The Matrix a few months ago, pretty shortly after watching it on UHD.
It was remarkably similar in the look and colors to the UHD for most of the movie. It was a bit inconsistent. It had plenty of cyan in many parts of the film. I went home right after the screening and scene checked many parts of the film, and sure enough, it was pretty damn close.
EXCEPT the shootout and rooftop scenes towards the end. The print looked much more like the images going around— the lobby was grey and the outside scenes on the rooftop were almost bleached white looking. I suspect at this point Bill Pope wanted to adjust that and bring in more of the cyan that was present is the rest of the film, but I’m just speculating. It doesn’t bother me or feel out of place though, as the entire movie used blues and greens in the Matrix scenes to
make it feel “off” and unnatural.

Did you compare it to the DVD?

[8GBDVDR]

Originally Posted by ImBlu_DaBaDee

I watched this movie for the first time ever on Prime Video last night, it was amazing! I definitely see why it’s considered a sci-fi classic. I’m glad they did a good job with this UHD because I’ll be looking to pick it up next time it’s cheap.

To watch this movie for this first time.... wow that must have been amazing! Hard to believe its been 25 years.

[Led Zappa]

I have no attachment to how I "remember" it looked over multiple viewings, from Blu-Ray to cable to streaming. I thought it looked fantastic.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by KubrickKurasawa

Did you compare it to the DVD?

No, I have a cherished memory of getting that DVD way in the early days (when I was still in high school!) but it’s been probably 20 years since I’ve seen it. I think I got rid of it when I picked up the Blu-ray set.

[captainsolo]

I can’t stand the color approach of the UHD but the source scan and master itself is the usual Warner big leap forward. I think they overdid correcting the imposed greenish cast of the 2004 DVD and later BD iterations by going another way with blues instead.
The old initial master is definitely imperfect but if I had to choose one version I’m most ok with, it’s still that trusty old VHS/LD/DVD master. (with format induced differences) I’d love to see the LD in person someday on a CRT but the astronomical prices that disc goes for are nuts.

[Telemachus]

Apparently the 1999 DVD looks better than the LD, and both are the same digital transfer. I saw people talking about this on the Lddb forums at one point. Who knows about the sound but both are 5.1 384k and would be strange if the DVD was a remix and the LD was a straight theatrical mix when they were both released at the same time.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

No, I have a cherished memory of getting that DVD way in the early days (when I was still in high school!) but it’s been probably 20 years since I’ve seen it. I think I got rid of it when I picked up the Blu-ray set.

I went DVD in 1999 - this and Heat were my first two DVD purchases. The Matrix playing on display at Media Play probably sold me on the format.

[ImBlu_DaBaDee]

Originally Posted by 8GBDVDR

To watch this movie for this first time.... wow that must have been amazing! Hard to believe its been 25 years.

I’ve been finally getting to a lot of all-time classics I missed out on growing up. Last year was Alien, Aliens, and Lord of the Rings. Lord of the Rings is now my all-time favorite film. The extended cuts in theaters last summer was life-changing.

[sojrner]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I went DVD in 1999 - this and Heat were my first two DVD purchases. The Matrix playing on display at Media Play probably sold me on the format.

This was also my first DVD in '99. At release, it was cheaper than its VHS version and triggered me to jump into the pool.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by sojrner

This was also my first DVD in '99. At release, it was cheaper than its VHS version and triggered me to jump into the pool.

The Matrix, Ghost In The Shell DVD and The Kubrick Collection DVD boxset in 2000 was a fun time in physical Media. Now days you have to spend 10 thousand dollars on a set up to get close.

[Trekkie313]

I personally can not go back to those crusty old transfers just because a handful of scenes have some overly pinkish faces.

[jordanjabroni]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

I personally can not go back to those crusty old transfers just because a handful of scenes have some overly pinkish faces.

...and the 4K doesn't?

[Geoff D]

Is that one supposed to look bad?

[MuffinMcFluffin]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Is that one supposed to look bad?

Have you ever seen skin tones, Geoff D, that you're so sure were pink?

What if you were unable to unsee that pink?

How would you know the difference between pink skin tones and real skin tones?

[jordanjabroni]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Is that one supposed to look bad?

It's the pink.

[Geoff D]

And again, I'm struggling. Maybe I took the pink pill?

[KMFDMvsEnya]

Yeah, skin tones can skew pinkish for the lighter complexion peeps.

But in the context of the color grade when watching just the movie, does it matter?

"Natural" skin tones are completely relative to the overall color timing/grading.

There is good visual science to favor certain skin complexions to lean to certain hues depending on the overall color grade and again it is all dependent on how to looks in context of the grade.

[Spiritual_Chaos]

I still the remember the brown-yellowish-murky-and-sickly look of the VHS that I got Christmas 99. A double cassette with behind the scenes included. For us chumps who didn't have a DVD-player yet. That is "how The Matrix looks" when I think of the film. Never saw it in the cinema sadly.

Would prefer something close to the original theatrical look/intent. There is something about the UHD grade that is off-putting. That combination of colors.