In this weeks class we looked at the process of adaptation, in particular we focused on The Animatrix and this weeks reading by Umberto Eco titled “Casablanca”: Cult Movies and Intertextual Collage.

The Animatrix is a really interesting example of a adaptation, as it was not made by its original creators, The Wachowskis, but was given their tick of approval. The adaptation is told through the medium of anime, and really adds to the original film, The Matrix, as it serves a prequel mini-series. We discussed in class the many evident ‘push off points’ in The Animatrix that directly linked to The Matrix film and also how audiences are able to recognise this. An example of this is shown in the second story, The Second Renaissance Part II. The audience is able to see the ‘pods’ that the humans are kept in which is of course known as the Matrix, which is a very key part of the film and also directly thinks the adaptation back to its source.

Due to the philosophical nature of the story of The Matrix, it really gives the potential for possibilities of adaptation and giving it the ‘cult’ film status. In the Umberto Eco reading, he discusses what he believes makes a ‘cult’ film. One of these beliefs is that the film must provide a ‘fully furnished world’, which is key to a successful adaptation. In order for a story to be able to be told through trans-media storytelling, the original source must have a strong and rich story-world. It is quite evident that the film The Matrix has a strong storyworld, not only was it adapted to the anime short series but it was also adapted to various video games and graphic novels.

I must say I really enjoyed The Animatrix, such an interesting concept and visually how it’s told through the art style of Anime is just so cool! I will definitely watch the rest of the mini episodes when I get the chance…

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