DVD Menu Analysis (Part 2)

Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is a science fiction, action film written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers. It depicts a dystopian future, where everything we know and perceive is actually a simulated reality called ‘the Matrix’. Sentient machines designed the Matrix to control and manipulate the human population, allowing them to use each person’s body heat and electrical activity as an energy source.

The Matrix was like nothing anyone had seen before; with it’s advanced visual effects, incredible fight scenes and unique plot, it enticed audiences from all over the globe. It has had an everlasting impact on the film industry since it’s release in 1999, influencing many blockbuster films, particularly action and is arguably one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. Although the Matrix is known for it’s famous ‘bullet time’ effect and the iconic green coding, it’s is also noticed for the consistent philosophical and religious references. It also pays homage to various works such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Jean Baurdrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation. After it’s release, it was the first DVD to sell more than one million copies in the US and then went on to be the first DVD to sell more than three million copies in the US.

The matrix is also recognised for it’s innovative and detailed menu set up. In fact, a lot of DVD players in the early 2000s struggled to play the film, as it was so complex. Many DVD menus are basic, consisting of just still images or offer minimal insight into what the film is about. Using moving images makes everything more exciting.

It begins with the famous green coding, and then goes to a sequence of different clips from the movie (about 20 seconds long) to entice the viewer. This montage mainly includes fight scenes to showcase all of the cool stunts and special effects that went into creating the film. This feature was designed specifically for the DVD. I also noticed that this particular menu includes music (and other sound effects at the beginning), which isn’t always the case with every DVD, especially with earlier films. The song is intended to create an intense and dramatic feel. The same song is also included in the film.

Menu options: Scene Selections, Special Features, Languages and Play Movie. It also offers English subtitles for the hard of hearing.

The actual menu also includes snippets from the film; again they have used mainly footage from the fight scenes (building up to the confrontation with the sentient machines). Just from looking at the menu you assume this film is full of action, it possesses a futuristic, dark and exciting feel, which reflects the film perfectly. They have used the same theme, text and colours (black, green and purple) for each option, along with the icon Matrix graphic. Like most DVD menus, when you select an option something changes; it becomes another colour or the text is highlighted, with this film they have used a green square that matches the text of the binary coding, to help navigate between buttons. Overall, it is very well designed and simply aesthetically pleasing.

Other notable extras including:

A Behind-The-Scenes Documentary, Feature-Length Audio Commentary, Hidden Special Effects Documentaries, Music Only Track With Composer Commentary and Multiple Angles.

As well as: Story Boards, Web Access, the entire Website, Cast & Crew biographies and Special Edition Video.

The Matrix is an American-Australian made film, so for example, if you were to view it on a DVD player in America, the region code would be 1 and in Australia it would be 4. The region code will differ depending on which country you’re in. For me, the region code would be 2 as I live in the UK. The format is PAL and the type of disc used was originally a DVD-ROM. It is available in Dolby 5.1 Digital Sound and widescreen.

DVD Menu Analysis (Part 1)

Shrek (2001):

Shrek is a computer-animated, fantasy-comedy film, adapted from William Steig’s book, produced by Pacific Data Images and DreamWorks and co-directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and is known and considered as one of the best animated films of it’s time. 

I remember watching Shrek on VCR (it was released on both VCR and DVD) over and over when I was growing up. I was completely captivated. Not just by the story, by everything, the moving images, the characters, the detail, the music, everything. Although, I still think it’s just as good now as it was then, I’ve never really fathomed just how much of an impact it has had on the industry. Ultimately, it was a huge turning point for animation and I guess, storytelling through the medium of film in general. Not only were the visuals impressive throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes, but also the whole layout of menu set up and the other additional features too.

The most noticeable thing that sets Shrek apart from other DVDs released in the early 00s is how interactive it is. After the unforgettable DreamWorks logo, it begins with Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) leaving his house to find dozens of fairytale characters (exiled by Lord Farquaad) standing outside his door, in his swamp. This sequence is not only humorous but mirrors the exact plot of the film. When you select and option, one or several characters respond (video and audio), for example when you click Play, the three little pigs trot off into Shrek’s outside toilet. The third pig yells, “play the movie” the second says “Yah” (they’re German) and the other recites “play” again. One of the main reasons I believe that Shrek was and still is such a popular film is because of the incredible interaction between the characters. This is not only ever present in the movie, but the menu set up as well. Creating an animated DVD menu just makes everything more exciting, more interesting (especially for younger audiences) and generally more aesthetically pleasing, whilst also showcases just how much care and love goes into fabricating a film.

The menu set up consists of: A play button, scene index (otherwise known as scene selection), special features, subtitles and audio. It remains a particular visual style throughout. The text (the green, Shrek font) is relative to the main character and the buttons in ‘scene index’ are designed to look like something within the backdrop of the movie. When you move from button to button, they are either underlined or highlighted in orange, which simply makes it easy to navigate.Other than creating a more visually exciting experience, using animation can be a more efficient way of viewing. It is particular helpful for the scene index feature, as you are offered snippets from the film rather than just still images, therefore enabling you decipher what scene you desire.

Both VCR and DVD copies include the Shrek in the Swamp Dance Party! – A 3-minute musical short film where the characters perform a medley of modern pop songs after the ending of the film.

The special edition (DVD) includes other features such as:

A hidden karaoke video, which consists of characters singing various songs such as ‘YMCA’ and Who Let the Dogs Out’. To find this feature, make sure you’re on the main menu, and then press the Up button to highlight the musical note and press enter. This is considered an Easter egg. An Easter egg can be in the form of an inside joke or hidden message/feature. In films, they are usually accessed through a specific sequence of button clicks and user commands. However, they aren’t just created for films, they can be found in computer games, video games and books too.

Other bonus features; behind the scenes featurette, hidden fun facts, character interviews, ‘Game Swamp’ (over 15 interactive games and activities like ‘Shrek Pinball’) and ‘Shrek’s Music Room’ which includes videos from the band Smash Mouth (who’s songs feature of the film). The second disc offers filmmakers commentary, the ‘Tech of Shrek’, character design progression reel and much more. All of these extra features are another reason why Shrek was so well received and also why it’s still so memorable. 

The region code for the UK is 2 and the format used is PAL (Each region has a different code. Region codes are a way of managing digital rights; film distributors control all aspects of a release i.e. release date, price and content, which may differ with each region. A DVD player will only play DVDs that are encoded to it’s own region.

The format is DVD-R, which is generally the most familiar kind of DVD. It can record up to 4.7GB (which is roughly 90 minutes of storage). Much like the DVD+R it is not re-writable, meaning once recorded and finalised it cannot be erased. However, they were both developed by different software. DVD+R is considered more reliable as it uses more recent technology when burning information onto a disc, but as DVD-R is an earlier format it plays on nearly all DVD players. Other optional DVD formats are Dual layer and double sided DVDs.