.-=The Matrix: Hacked!=-. .----A FanEdit Project----. Last update: 11/28/06
Status: Matrix Reloaded: Finished Matrix Revolution: Finished This readme covers both Matrix Hacked releases.
What is it? Remix edits of Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions. Maybe “fan” edit is a little too strong of a word. More a-fan-of-the-first-Matrix edit. I’m attempting to present the second two films in a way consistent with what made the first so enjoyable.
The first Matrix movie is one of the few films I would probably consider perfect. I wouldn't touch it, ever, don’t ask.
The second film although a good action film, is little more than that. There’s not much to do for it except surgical removal of that which sucks.
The third film, now that's a whole different story, or should I say, it is now. Forget everything you know. Conversations are now about different things. Plot threads have been unraveled and re-knitted into the film in a different light. The tone is different, the story is different. Leave what you remember about this film at the door, it’s the only way you’ll enjoy it.
Be aware the third film is a bit rougher only because the editing has been so drastic. Events that, in a real film, would probably be shown to you in better detail aren’t there only because the footage doesn’t exist. Regardless, the story should still be completely clear and enjoyable.
The format is two DVD5s in NTSC. Anamorphic, DD 5.1.
Why are you doing it? Ok, I LOVE the first Matrix. I was a bit of a fan of Keanu (whoa), and I got mild enjoyment out of Johnny Mnemonic (I am a big fan of William Gibson). When I first saw the film advertised I couldn't believe someone was stupid enough to let Keanu near another CyberPunk film. I did drool at the prospect though. Opening day I took the day off and went to see it. I then saw it again that evening with a friend. And again a third time later that weekend with my sister. This is in fact the only time I have seen a first run movie 3 times in the theater.
Matrix 2 and 3. How could I not like the idea? The second one was weak. They even tried embarrassingly to rip off the theme of The Empire Strikes Back for the ending. The Architect is his father; Neo-Solo is frozen in carbonite; Trinity is his sister. (j/k) Ok, sophomore slump. The third, man that's gotta rock right? #2 was just the wind up to the main event... I nearly chewed my leg off to escape the theater while I was watching it. I couldn't believe the Wachowski's had gotten so lost from the original film. I tried to wipe the whole experience from my mind.
BUT after watching the really nice things the CBB Group did with the DeZionized Matrix I was struck with the realization that the movies may not be as irretrievable as I originally believed. To get the best film though would require complete disregard for the material and the filmmakers. A cut so daring that some would call it impossible, genius or even daft. So this has been gestating for over a year. Nine drafts of the script and a lot of on-the-fly changes, a lots of false starts and versions, but it is done.
How many movies is this? It’s two separate films. My goal is to preserve as much of the original footage as possible.
Matrix 2 (M2) clocks in at 1:52. The final file is a bit heavy has been hit with DVDShrink (about 6% compression). There will not be a dual layer vision. M3 is 1:36. At that length, space is not an issue.
Who is this for? Well, frankly, me. I'm trying to redeem these films, making them closer to the original, and I just want them to suck much much less. I wanted to see if an editor can do what the writers and directors could not. That is: make a film you wouldn't mind rewatching.
What about (The Video Games/The Deleted Footage/The Comics/What the Fan Sites Say...) If you are a Matrix fanatic well versed in the canon. If you own all of the DVDs, re-releases, video games, comic books. If you have naked pictures of Carrie-Anne Moss on your computer and Lawrence Fishburn on your wall (I’m not passing judgment): you will hate these films, you will hate me. This is not the edit you are looking for. Get DeZionized or enjoy your DVDs as they are. Don't even think about watching this. These movies should standalone, you shouldn't have to be up on all that other stuff in order to understand what's going on. That's called a plot hole.
How are you going to be different from the Dezionized edition? The DZ edit is really great. They pointed out the intense craptitude that was the character Locke (though it was obvious. Locke is the new JarJar). They also showed that much of what was important was in the Matrix not out if it. But, people need a place called home, so I've left Zion in. I also wanted to show how much of a zealot Morpheus had become. I think it’s important to the progress of his character.
What sort of changes are you making?
Both movies are intended to be closer to the spirit of the first film. Although I considered re-coloring my edits to match the theatrical cut of the first Matrix, that would be prohibitively difficult, and a lot of people already have the altered DVD version of the first film. M2 is edited largely for conformity to M3 and my new themes. Both are edited a little for pacing, and a bit for lowering the pompous exposition quotient. M3 has the most serious changes since I am doing the equivalent of cutting up a reel of film, putting the scenes in a bag, shaking and putting it back together in the order I yank them out. To be fair I'm only 90% happy with the final cut of M3H, but my technical skills, software problems and source limitations prevent me from doing any better.
Some of the changes: Certain themes and ideas have been removed globally from both films. Mostly because I felt they sucked or weren't well executed. This accounts for dozens of tiny edits and trims. Sometimes just a word or two was removed from sentences.
Neo is now the One. The one and only One. Thou shalt have no other Ones before him. Get it? Multiple Ones and previous Zions had no real point. All that did was water down a great first film. (Congratulations you’re the One, the savior of all mankind. But there’s been some Ones before, and oh yeah they failed miserably. Good luck with that.)
Neo does not have powers in the real world (thanks MeBeJedi). This was so obvious I actually missed it in my first drafts. I hated it when I saw it, but lived with it so long I accepted it. No visions of the future, no disabling of squids, no Blind-o-vision, nothing. I am not opposed to the occasional vision within the Matrix about the future of the Matrix. That's Oracle territory and I'm fine with it. (And it's like one shot.) In TRW it just isn’t right.
Sati/The last Exile. What the heck was that all about? Man, if they were going somewhere with it I fell asleep as soon as her dad started talking in limbo. Programs reproducing and having little programs that have no use? Why is she the last? And if it's so hard to get in and out of the Matrix how did her dad do it to visit the Merovigian in the first place, and return for her? It's just a horrible idea all around: Gone. Sati is now one of the Oracle’s adopted kids (like in the first film). She has the ability to tweak colors; It's more useful than bending cutlery.
The Oracle looks different in the third film. Yes I know Gloria Foster is dead, but that's not an excuse for her not going back to work. The way it was handled was terrible. Either explain it or ignore it. Don't drop hints about "Something happened, but we're not telling what. (Oh and we’ll mention it three times!)" That's poor story telling. It may be explained in Enter the Matrix (game) but guess what, I'm not playing a game, I'm watching a movie. This has been fixed (with a really bad hack edit job). It's not pretty but it at least works if you suspend disbelief.
Programs talk of love. Um, no. It's been done, and I just don't care.
M3 had so much hyper action at the end, you got desensitized to it. I remember zoning out several times from all the flashes and explosions. Action has been redistributed. It's also less gritty war film, more sci-fi action film.
Trinity is dead, Neo is blinded and possibly/likely dead (as far as the movies are concerned). I don't want a downer ending. Not in the final film of a series I’m invested in. If the first film ended like that I wouldn't have been back. Neo survives his ordeal, and may have his vision (it's left up to the viewer to decide).
Both movies have new beginnings and new endings and LOTS of other changes.
Specifics: _Matrix Reloaded Hacked_ A new opening lifted from M1. (Different from DeZionized.) This event is referred to three times later in the movie, so telling the audience that Neo dwells on it seemed important. I think it'd give me nightmares too if it happened to me. (Btw, the use of the theatrical color palette (instead of the new-improved one) is intentional to give a more dreamlike effect.) They are not waiting to hear from the Oracle, she’s not in hiding. They are planning their strategies instead. A lot less Locke. The worshipping of Neo as a god in the real world (TRW) is cut. The annoying kid is largely gone. (Can I change who the new JarJar is?) Less home life with Link (and his wife/family) Less of Councilor Hamann. I really don't care that he can't sleep or is fascinated by the blinking lights of the machines at Zion. The scene was ok but it really seemed to make the whole Zion portion of the movie overly long. No rave scene (um, yeah, that's all I'll say about it). It is now a town meeting and prayer service. A little less Oracle as needed. A little less Merovingian babbling. He extols the virtues of the French. But this is the only time in any of the films where a specific location, city, country anything is EVER mentioned. That’s gone. Persephone no longer talks of love before kissing Neo. The scene now feels more like "what is this human thing called love". A campy cliché, but the oldest are the best, right? Do we need full introductions to a couple of goons at the Merovingian's mansion that are going to never be seen again? They were werewolves right? That could’ve been done much cooler. Trinity's Flight has been extended with footage from the opening. It’s slightly different than the DZ version. It has a different angle or two and a slightly different pace. A serious axe has being taken to the Architect. If Neo is the only One, half of what he says serves no purpose. He brought the movie to a screeching halt. The movie will have an upbeat ending and a bit of a surprise. The original ending made the film feel less self contained than it already was.
_Matrix Revolution Hacked_ I suggest skipping down if you don't want any surprises ruined. I will be as vague as possible. The action has been spread around more. Another new beginning; A bit of M2 has been relocated here (it weighed down the end of that film, but makes a good introduction to the third). More last exile stuff trimmed. Neo will not zap squids or faint like a little girl. Sati and her family are gone. Yawn, good riddance. Trainman and his snaggletoothed face is off my screen. You might catch his silhouette or see him in a wide shot, but that's it. He is just another anonymous extra. If the Oracle knows the future, why the heck did she send them to catch the Trainman if they were going to have to storm the Merovigian's club anyway? Oddly the Trainman gets to the train platform and back to the club in a real hurry, what was up with that? Merovingian's silly self-importance is emphasized. No Morpheus-Locke-Niobe love triangle. Mostly because of the less Locke thing. Come on, who'd want him anyway with Laurence Fishburn around. Maggie isn't killed, only because I'm trying to avoid zombies in this film. A few less people end up dead, but some people's fate are a bit more ambiguous. No infantry, no reloading teams, less gore -- it made this movie more of a gritty war film. If I wanted that I'd watch Thin Red Line or G.I. Jane in the case of Link’s wife. Soooo… Link's wife was largely cut again. The kid is largely cut too. Did anyone buy him getting into a battledriod and kicking ass his first go? I couldn’t drive a car straight when I first started and that doesn't involve shooting things at the same time. Gate 3 jamming thread is cut. It involved the kid and Link's wife. Is Mifune dead? Probably, but I like to think he kicked ass and took names. Trinity is not dead. No blind-o-vision. Neo is now more Zatoichi than Mua’dib. The Logos now has a soft crash (we need it later). Trinity waits in the car while Neo goes to the ATM. An Ewok celebration. (Ok no Ewoks really, but there could be.) A reasonable explanation for the new Oracle's appearance. The movie has the Super Brawl near the beginning. I'm starting with the end and working backwards. Zion fights off the invading squids. DZ cut this, but giant fighting robots have never been this good since Aliens. When Lock appears (which is more frequent than I would have liked) I've de-assified him. Can anyone be that obnoxious to everyone including his superiors all the time? Neo realizes the only way to stop the attack on Zion is to do what he should have done before. He goes to the Source. This isn’t incongruous since no other One has merged with the Source before… As such he will travel to Machine City to plead for peace, bargaining with his life. Neo's comatose body is brought back to Zion. His friends try to help their friend and savior while Zion celebrates.
Tech stuff: Womble Mpeg Video Wizard DVD (demo version) - I don’t really recommend this software it has some unpleasant quirks. Croping, fade outs, and transitions were largely done with a combination of AviSynth, VirtualDubMod and CCE SP 2.70 (7-passes). Authored with DVDMaestro.
Misc. All sorts or tricks were used from the cheesy (overdubs, reversed video, and recycled clips from other Matrix films, and hack-like edits) to the slick (cropping (might also fall under cheesy), nice transitions and _very_ subtle edits that humming birds can't see.)
How can I get a copy? Version 1 was released as Xvid/mp3 on Pirate Bay. I believe the torrents to be dead. Version 2 fixes a couple cases of macroblocking and letterbox bar problems. I've also redone all fades in AviSynth for better quality. A couple of minor sound tweaks were performed along with QC fixes and oh yeah Revolutions was seriously overhauled to fix continuity issues.
Xvid/mp3 version can be found on The Pirate Bay.
DVD's will be sent out on a Pay It Forward system. There are 3 U.S. sources and one in the U.K. for you Euro people to start.
What's a Checksum and why? To prevent degredation of quality from repeated duplication, I've generated a checksum file from the master copy. Running a checksum test will scan your files and verify that they (in high probability) are identical to the original. I'm using SHA256 method which is a stronger checksum than most P2P software utilize.
I recommend the cross-platform freeware JSummer for testing, further details are available on the DVDs themselves. If you receive a disk lacking this information, here is a copy of the Checksums (copy to a text file save with the extension '.sha256'): Matrix Reloaded Hacked:
Bit of an update. (3/13/06) I haven't had time to do any work on this today, but while daydreaming at work I made some revisions in my head. As a result I may start M2 all over again. I'll try to save as much of the more tedious cuts as possible, but since I'm a sloppy editor I'm going to have to redo more work than I should have to. (I do crossfades by using both audio tracks in Womble so adding material gets everything out of sync.)
A few pieces I cut need to be put back so subtler references flow better and make more sense. Also my opening, although good, I realize now that some elements work better for the opening of M3. So timewise it's a set back.
I'd actually like a different opening rather than stealing the DeZionized idea, but I can't come up with anything better, especially since I don't want Neo having prophetic dreams.
I did come up with an awesome alternate cut idea, but because of the actress change of the Oracle, large chunks of the films would have to be lost to make it work. I'm putting it out there in case someone else wants to take a stab at it: Alternate vision: M2 would open with my doctored version of the (first) Oracle being Smithed through to Smith laughing maniacally. Neo wakes. Now all the references to the Oracle being in hiding and needing to consult with her make sense. She's missing not hiding. Unfortunately the Seraph fight, the conversation on the bench and the Smiths fight at the park would have to be cut since the Oracle is gone for the balance of M2. Everything of use the Oracle does in M2 is on the chip delivered to Neo anyway. She never says "Go to Merovigian", we have to assume that info is on the chip. Now the chip is the Oracle's message in a bottle to Neo that she made when she knew Smith was coming. Cool eh? Making it's delivery all the more critical.
You can then open M3 with the Massive Smith Fight from the end M3 and the (new) Oracle can be back in the rebuilt Matrix for the rest of that film.
I'd do it, but frankly I like the Seraph fight (good Kung Fu fighting) and the Smith battle in the park (the latter might even be better than M3's final showdown).
I'll sleep on it, but I don't think I could find away to get those two action sequences back and use that form. Either way I think I'm going to shelve M2 and start on M3 tonight/tomorrow just to get that right before fixing up M2. I'll have a better idea what I need it to say working backwards.
I think your new idea sounds pretty good. As much as somone else's ideas look so good you want to copy them, I know that when I look at an edit and whether I want to take time to watch it, I look to what the differences are. When edits are similar it makes me less inclined to try out another one. So, go bold man!
As far as the actual ideas, I think that your explanation as to what happens to the oracle in the beginning is great. It didn't make much sense to me that the Oracle couldn't be found at the beginning of the movie. If she was assimilated or kidnapped that provides a much cooler opening.
The Seraph fight was okay, but it didn't add anything to the fight. To me, it was just filler. With the Oracle missing, it doesn't provide any purpose. Now, if you get a hold of footage in Enter the Matrix, there is another Seraph fight between Seraph and Niobe. If you really want to see Seraph fight, maybe you could use that footage instead.
I never liked the Smith fight in the park. The extra copies of Agent Smith coming from eveywhere was the only part I thought looked cool. The rest of it, especially when they have Neo fighting with the pole and using it to spin around and kick all the Smiths which was a particularly bad (bad cgi=fake looking) effects shot, was just cheesy and drawn out. I would not miss if you cut it.
I don't understand how you would make the Smith fight work at the beginning of the movie, but I'd be interested in seeing how you accomplish it. The final battle is supposed to be the culmination of two films worth of build-up. It is the moment everyone is waiting for in the official films. It is just a great moment in cinematography. Much better than the battle in the park by far, but than the fight in the park is supposed to be the fore-shadowing of the ultimate showdown. I guess you will have to make a decision on how you want to handle it. It's hard to comment on some of your ideas without knowing more about what you have in mind for the the sequels.
Assuming I'd like to keep Seraph and the fight in the park (is there a real name for that fight? I'm thinking the Burly Brawl but I won't swear to it.): Would we believe the Oracle would send a message to Neo that leads him to Seraph, who in turn takes him to a park where he first discovers/encounters the plural Smiths? And then later the whole team goes to the Merovingian.
In my mind fluidity and believability would suggest that if the Oracle were to send him anywhere it would be straight to the frenchman. But then again by having Seraph take him to the park he would then understand the nature of the Smith menace. And we know the Oracle has a habit of saying what needs to be said for the proper outcome.
I'm having troubles with this. My goal is really to preserve as much of the films in my edit as possible, yet arrange them into the most optimal story. I'm in love with this new idea but I can't get it to fit together in my mind without cutting those two scenes entirely. I can't even think of a place to move them to. After meeting the frenchman there's too much chained together action to shoehorn it, and M3 is too late (and redundant) (though I could fit Seraph there).
The only earlier time they're in the Matrix it's night so a day light fight is out. Arggh.
What's really surprising is I'm finding the more complicated/drastic changes, which sound impossible are proving easier than the subtle ones. I may have to make M2's ending a little less upbeat than anticipated. I forgot I have to work in the Neb blowing up. That'll still work best at the end of M2. Ok, I may have been premature with my full-ish outline, the script is in flux again. I'm still sticking to the themes and broad strokes.
Edit: For example even if I was to cut or relocate the Seraph scene, it's needed because he provides the explaination for the Backdoors they use to get Neo into the building at the end. It has to stay where it is.
Hair is being torn out. I will lick this, I promise you.
Boon23, I never saw that before, but don't worry I have no intention in doing what he is.
One more knot to untangle and I can get back to editing. Either my M2 ending must change or the M3 beginning. I'm in love with both, and changing either causes problems.
If I use the Oracle missing thing mentioned above I not only cut parts I'd rather keep, but at the same time have to go back to very close to the original ending which is very unsatisfying.
So... I watch and rewatch some clips now, ad naseum. Damn I hate the third movie.
--------------- She heard it from someone in Hong Kong who read it on a screen in Beijing It was posted on a site in Seattle And me, I read it on the back of a cigerette packet, it said: Election beats electrocution, this is the new Revolution -- Clint Boon
I feel like I'm spamming my own thread now. I'm just working hard and confusing myself. I need someone to clarify a plot point.
At the end of Revolution, in the great Smith battle, Neo is finally converted to a Smith which starts a chain reaction. We know Smith tried this before in Reloaded. So the question is, is Smith stronger now and able to do something stupid that defeats himself, OR does Neo LET him in order to bring things full circle (he jumped into Smith in M1 which started the whole problem). OR do I need to cut the earlier attempt in Reloaded in order for this to make sense?
Neo lets him. The Matrix movies were always a lot about faith. Smith had to believe he defeated Neo and really could convert him (which he always must have doubted since it is impossible for the Yin to convert the Yang. Smith's belief made his defeat possible (at least that is what I think). I always thought that the religious component of Matrix R&R was rather difficult and implausible, especially considering that machines created the matrix.
To explain what I meant with "DON'T DO WHAT SPENCE DID": he never finished his ambitious and very promising project, but he discussed it for pages and pages with a very sudden stop: adobe premiere did not output his file. end.
I think it is a good idea to keep the number of people involved in a project as limited as possible (but not just one - you should have at least someone to check your project through before publishing). Therefore I suggest, DM, you pick some people and discuss your project with them and present a final version when it is done. Here with all these different opinions or most of all no opinions at all anything could get lost. ...ehm, of course I would gladly be of help, but rather by email.
I rewatching parts, I agree. Neo lets Smith assimilate him.
Final answer: as much as I'd like to account for the Oracle being missing by having her assimilated earlier (which allows a smoother transition later from her chip/message to the Merovigian visit), I still feel Seraph has to introduce the concept of the backdoors, and Neo needs to fight the plural Smiths as a setup to what's to come in M3. I'm sad, but it makes the rest work better.
I'm just trimming so she is no longer in hiding, they just weren't looking for her until she sends a chip that she wants to meet.
Which means if someone else wants to use that for their own edit, I give my blessing. I'd rather see all possible ideas explored then being petty over whose idea is whose.
Ok not really. I still want to finish M3 first and make sure both movies correlate before burning a disc and QC'ing it. The very end may get additional tweaking too. I'd still love to come up with a different beginning instead of ripping off DeZionized, but CBB Group's idea was really golden (that and moving Trinity's flight to the end (though I edited that a little differently to make it smoother)).
But lets called it a closed beta version. It weighs in at a surprising 1:52 (with credits, 1:40 without). Mind you that's a 27 minute saving over the original but 11 minutes longer than DeZionized's first half. M3 is anticipated to be much shorter.
I was going to post a screenshot so you can see Womble's death by 1000 cuts (and cross fades), but I can't get my website to come up right now.
But progress is progress.
Edit: Forgot to cut coming attractions. Times updated.
I just want to know if anyone had any thoughts about trying to use the cgi scene from the end Path of Neo. It would need to be re-edited to use some human stuff and not be so campy.
If you haven't seen it. There is a steamable web version out there. But basically a King Kong sized smith gets created and neo beets the crap out of it. I am sure the idea will be torn apart, but maybe I just need to hear why?
I am on early stages myself of a matrix fanedit, I plan to use a lot of ETM. If there is a chronlogical script of how it all works in, I would love if someone could PM it to me.
duckboyz2: I'd love to see an edit using EtM and deleted footage. But since I don't own the big mama-jama set and won't spend the money on it myself, I just don't have the footage. I understand the supersize box has EtM footage in DVD quality.
Nice. I have the box for a long time now Ultimate Collection Limited but did not see any scenes from the game... will have to look again, maybe this finally replaces the missing deleted scenes.
I just watched the ETM scenes. Most of all n o that interesting stuff, but in one scene the oracle explains, how her source code was sold by two programs, who wanted to keep their child. That was very interesting. Great quality of the scenes. After having seen them I have a strange feeling there will be an ADM extended edit sooner or later
Okay, here's a repost of the re-edit of the Oracle being assimilated with Gloria Foster put in. I fixed the audio so it's Xvid/mp3 this time.
The first version is what I posted before. Btw, there is still a lead-in with audio only, so don't panic.
The second version is an alternate idea, eliminating the oracle reaction shots altogether. Smith is ranting so much you almost don't notice you never see her. This one is a rough edit just tossed together so you can get the idea. I might cut the cookie bit to make him seem a more aggressive (though frankly I love the whole Smith monologue. It really bring out his crazy.) If I go final with the second version I will recode the cropped wide shots to show the Oracle's legs, arms, etc. (just cropping enough to remove her head) giving a bit better quality. The reason it's cropped out now is because in the 2 different sources used (in v1) she is wearing different outfits.
