I'm just wondering, are the extras on the original release of the Matrix movies different from the 9 disc set?

Yes, there are some differences. Most noticeably, the single disc has a jukebox mode that lets you listen to a bunch of music. This isn't present on the 9-disc set. I think a few extras are different, too, if IRC.

Oh, I remember the commentaries are different, too. On the original DVD, it's a Carrie-Ann-Moss (and someone else?) commentary (and a rather lame one at that), in the set, it's a commentary by a bunch of people.

All in all, the set is MUCH better--it has like 10 hours of extras and a better transfer. But if you're a completest, you'll want both.

That said, IIRC, the last 2 Matrix movies are identical to their single counterparts, as is the Animatrix.

It's not a jukebox mode, well there might be one.
But on the first Matrix there is an isolated score audio track.

I always suggest dvdcompare.net for questions like this.

This is a little different because the individual movie pages don't include the 2 disc versions from the Ultimate Collection, but you can easily do a quick scan of the differences by looking at the two pages.

For the Matrix:
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=403

For the Ultimate Edition:
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=6433

Looks like The audio commentary by Carrie-Ann Moss and others, as well as the Isolated score were not ported over (as others said). I recently listened to the Carrie-Ann Moss + others commentary, and it one of the worst commentaries I have ever heard. It's like she left for about an hour and a half during the middle of the movie.

I also don't think the "HBO First Look: Making The Matrix" was ported over, but from what I remember, almost everything in that documentary was covered in the additional features from the Ultimate Edition.

Sadly the MTV Movie Awards parody with Will Ferrell isn't on the box set. Since the extras on all three of the films for the individuals are different I picked them all up to complement my box set, since they go on sale all the time.

Weren't the colors changed slightly with the original film, to bring it more in line with the sequels?

Yes, and it is noticeable.


Ah, you're right--the jukebox was on The Matrix: Revisited. My bad.

I love the colors on the box set. Some people may prefer the old colors but it just looks like it was meant to look that way. It is a revelation. No more muddy-brown-green for me...