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The Worst Film Ever

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Perfect cast and a good story

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The real power of this particular "Animatrix" short is in it's visuals: going directly to the Wachowski's fascination with Japanese culture, the animators create a "program" (like of the title) of the history, architecture, and landscape. The effect decided on is kind of like an Escher drawing or a fractal, which lends a much more dreamlike atmosphere than many of the other shorts.The story is of a woman, Cis, training in the programs who is forced to confront her fear and desire to return to the illusion of the Matrix. It's a somewhat needed psychological aside to the logic of the reality the Wachowskis created, though of course a lot of the issues presented in this short are already succinctly summed up in Cypher's character from the first one. Nonetheless, the story does allow the animators to play with space like no other Animatrix short attempts, and the result is some very fascinating imagery.--PolarisDiB

maybe you regret making an Animatrix that doesn't offer anything original. this is certainly watchable, visually spectacular and crisply animated, by Mad House, prolific anime animators whose work and style i recognise from the continuity-destroying-but-pretty Final Fantasy 7 anime Last Order, competently scripted, said dialogue performed well and exciting in content and in the graceful, epic and spirited battles and physical and ideological conflict that ensues. it tells the story of a lady enjoying her favourite training simulation when a man called Duo enters the frame and locks them in, proposing a return to the matrix for them both, because he loves her and wants to stop the fighting and the struggles of the war against the machines, to which the lady protagonist refuses to co-operate and resists. they discuss the prospect heatedly while battling across a range of simulated environments.the problem? Cypher had the exact same idea in the first Matrix movie and the issue was explored and resolved satisfactorily. this Animatrix is weak because it offers no twist or original slant on the theme, simply retelling a story that was adequately dealt with by Cypher's actions. there is a hint of tortured doubt or ambiguity at the end when, having been released from the simulation which is revealed to be just that, training, the girl shuts her eyes solemnly in the lift, but it's not worthwhile, it's simply diversionary.it is well made and enjoyable to watch, to its credit. it features plenty of armour, environments, buildings and scenarios evocative of Japanese warrior traditions which is a big influence on the Wachowskis and which is no doubt a feature emphasised by Japanese director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and it does suggest at the very least that perhaps as a reaction to Cypher's actions in the Matrix such a test of loyalty and whether crew members of ships are steadfast in their devotion to Zion and unwilling to betray their fellows has become a staple of training programs for crews in the matrix world. but it doesn't bring much else to the table.still, in conclusion, this being the least original and one of the weaker Animatrix, it is still a feast for the eyes and a well made anime, and it reflects well on the Animatrix as a series.

This is the fourth part of 'The Animatrix', a collection of animated short movies that tell us a little more about the world of 'The Matrix'. In this one two characters are in training and one of them wants to go back in the matrix like Cypher wanted to in the movie.With a different kind of animation, some fine action and a surprise in the end this is another fine short from 'The Animatrix'.

**Warning! Slight Spoilers Ahead!**The visuals in "The Program" were excellent, as superb as any I have seen in my limited anime exposure. The color contrast stood out, as it underlined the murky battle of good and evil. Also exceptional was the visual scope of the short. Numerous shots, such as the early one that tracked the fiery arrows, spanned great distances. My personal favorite was the dolly back across the tiled roof, revealing both the protagonist and the antagonist.The story, as in most shorts, was simple enough. But it was solid, nicely complementing one story arc from "The Matrix." Even without the twist at the end, the tale of love and betrayal, told through battle, worked quite well. The twist worked, and I was very pleased with the fitting final act by the heroine.Bottom Line: Excluding the computer-generated "Osiris", "The Program" was my favorite anime short on the "Animatrix" DVD. 9 of 10.