The Matrix 4K UHD (1999)

[infiniteCR]

Can’t wait to go back to the theater with this one. It’s about time!

[kristoffer]

Originally Posted by sanjuro_61

Looks very much like the trailer, indeed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKQi3bBA1y8

I can still remember when I saw that trailer. I had only heard about, but hadn't seen anything. I was watching "Payback" at the cinema and was blown away by the trailer!

[Mierzwiak]

I just watched few scenes on Apple TV. (1080p version was updated to the new master)

It looks GORGEOUS, Pope's immaculate cinematography truly shines now.

[Jumpman]

So, are the sequels on BD right or have their color timing been off this whole time as well? I want to say no. I remember seeing those in theatres in 2003 and the BD’s always seemed accurate.

[Jumpman]

Looks like the sequels just a new encode on disc more than anything else as I look at REVOLUTIONS right now.

[Khronikos]

Well holy **** is that different. I just placed an order for the 4 earlier films in the franchise on bluray. Like T2 I want both presentations. This is WAY too different not to have both versions.

Sorry, but these kinds of changes are too crazy these days. The whole film looks completely different now. Why not find a balance in between those two extremes?

[yetanotherone]

Originally Posted by OutOfBoose

Heavy blue of the woman in red sequence is puzzling too.

Well, the scene is not taking place inside the Matrix. It's a mini-simulation made by the Resistance. So lack of the more green tint compared to the scenes that take place inside the machine-made simulation (the Matrix) is justified.

[Mierzwiak]

I'm glad nobody tried to change the history and Wachowskis are still brothers / Larry / Andy in the end credits.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Khronikos

Well holy **** is that different. I just placed an order for the 4 earlier films in the franchise on bluray. Like T2 I want both presentations. This is WAY too different not to have both versions.

Sorry, but these kinds of changes are too crazy these days. The whole film looks completely different now. Why not find a balance in between those two extremes?

It shouldn't be about balance or middle-ground it should be about accuracy to the original theatrical presentation, if the original home video releases were off in that regard, then I'm happy to dismiss them (to some extent) and make this the go-to version. Luckily the BDs are very reasonable priced if you want to dip your toes into both.

[Khronikos]

Originally Posted by chip75

It shouldn't be about balance or middle-ground it should be about accuracy to the original theatrical presentation, if the original home video releases were off in that regard, then I'm happy to dismiss them (to some extent) and make this the go-to version. Luckily the BDs are very reasonable priced if you want to dip your toes into both.

Yeah IDK. All that I know is I have no idea what this looked like in theaters. And these are two vastly different presentations.

As for dismissing them. That's not possible to me at this point. 1080p is good enough where a previous presentation done right with color timing is just another version of the film. I would think quite a few people will not be selling their old blurays for that reason.

I am sure the new presentation will be killer. Looking forward to it.

[Mierzwiak]

Did you read the review?

From the colorist Jan Yarbrough:

The Wachowskis have entrusted the creation of the HDR mastering with the original Director of Photography Bill Pope, ASC. Working with Bill I have come to realize that he has a full understanding and appreciation for the dynamics of the HDR format. The Matrix is created in two worlds: the "real" world in cool blue tones; and the "data" world in ever present green. Now with HDR, this film can be viewed in its futuristic and data centric realm more accurately than previous formats would allow. HDR with its huge dynamic range of luminance and color gamut allows for a true film gamma replication while adding additional dynamic range for accurate highlights and deep detailed blacks. DP Bill Pope has taken advantage of this to create a version with color timing as it was originally intended, crafting a high resolution digital master that is more accurate than the original theatrical release.

[yetanotherone]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

I believe it was the W siblings that wanted the more green oriented look to match the other two sequels.

While I'm sure that's the directive the Wachowskis gave to Pope, who knows how closely the two parties worked together to see it through. I'm saying this because Pope has said they dropped him as their go-to cinematographer (and picked up John Toll) after their relationship became strained during the Matrix sequels making era.

http://collider.com/bill-pope-cosmos-ant-man-interview/

You also worked with the Wachowskis on The Matrix films, and there work is also so incredibly visual. Did they ask you to work on Cloud Atlas, or would you work with them again?

POPE: I would, but I haven’t worked with them since The Matrix. The Matrix 2 and 3 was such a physically and emotionally hard project for all of us, and we just burned out. We all acted not as our most evolved selves. There would have to be some sort of reconciliation. We would have to man-up.

Considering the above, it's possible it could have turned out somewhat more nuanced if the two parties had better communication at the time (2004).

[yetanotherone]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

Did you read the review?

From the colorist Jan Yarbrough:

Actually, "Originally intended" and "more accurate than the original theatrical release" imply the look is not how it originally looked, but with something extra, that they couldn't achieve at the time.

Else, it should read "as originally presented" and "more accurate to the original theatrical release."

[Geoff D]

Unfortunate choice of words in the last bit of that quote from Pope

[SynViks]

Warner first came to the W's for this UHD release, the W's offered it to Bill Pope who agreed to oversee. Seems like things have changed since 2003.

Additionally, I wouldn't be surprised if BP had anything to do with the green tinted master; just because you were a cinematographer (or even director) on a film doesn't inherently mean you've any say on the home video version (especially true back when those masters were made).

[Khronikos]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

Did you read the review?

From the colorist Jan Yarbrough:

I did read the review. And it says it is now changed from the theatrical release. And it certainly looks different.

I haven't see it yet, and regardless of the issue I am keeping the old master as well.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Unfortunate choice of words in the last bit of that quote from Pope

He is right tho, black crush be gone!

[TheSweetieMan]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Unfortunate choice of words in the last bit of that quote from Pope

Science is on his side.

[OutOfBoose]

It's not Pope's words, though. It's Jan Yarbrough.

Even if there are some alterations/improvement colors-wise to the theatrical presentation, this is the closest thing we've got.

[TheSweetieMan]

I don't think you guys are picking up on what Geoff was referencing to.