Review: Animatrix - Beyond
I’m going to review here only on the episode ‘Beyond’ from the Animatrix movies as it’s my very favorite (together with ‘Detective Story’) on there. Director Koji Morimoto had the brilliant idea to show a very different view on the Matrix by letting some children in a big city (obviously Tokyo) discover a bug in the Matrix incidentally.
On a sunny day Yoko’s cat doesn’t appear to her breakfast which she usually never omits. So the girl goes asking some kids if they saw the cat around and they decide to trespass to that ‘forbidden’ plat in the neighborhood. Things there run completely paradox! It’s raining through the ceiling from the sky where no clouds are and by jumping from the roof you start floating in the air.
The kids have some very fascinating moments on the site before actually the ‘agents’ arrive with a ‘debugging’-command … because … you might have guessed it, nothing stays unobserved in the Matrix by them for long.
This little insight on a day of living in the Matrix hasn’t much to do anymore with the Matrix movies like some of the other Animatrix episodes. Completely uninfluenced shows it the adventurous kids encountering something normally impossible while they don’t loose much words about the ‘how’ and ‘why’.
The movie offers some very lovely and dreamy scenes for example when a dove flies by in slow motion and Yoko’s dropping slowly to the ground. There’s also a view into what seems to be the ‘void’, a big - if not endless - pitch black room … I’d rather don’t step into it! 
After the ‘debuggers’ disappeared again, everything’s getting normal and boring again! The spirit of the strange building is gone.
I’ve read some people’s review on The Animatrix™ somewhere else who were disappointed and gave it a very lousy grade. I can only guess that they are too ‘fixed’ on the Matrix movies and expected something more close to the Matrix(tm) movies. But IMHO exactly this is what is exciting about the Animatrix movies, that they are showing very own stories and different approaches on the Matrix universe like Beyond is doing it in an extreme way.
46 Responses to “Review: Animatrix - Beyond”
By Jake of 8bitjoystick.com
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Hey I loved it. But I liked The Second Renaissance Part 1 and 2 the best.
By Neko-Chan
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
yes!!! Beyond was my favorite one as well as World Record, that one was pretty cool too!
Does anyone know where I can get some quotes from either one of these?
By edoal
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
if i remember right, Koji Morimoto wrote this script, after several attempts … (a perfectionist apparently) he also took the longest, and from the commentary, there are personal touches he’s added to his short, that will go unnoticed unless you ask him what the significance was … i liked this one for the little sentiments that were added … World Record for its power … and Osiris for the most sexiest fight scene I’ve ever seen
By Alberto
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Realmente, Beyonde é meu preferido tambem, as cores, os movimetos dos ângulos, a cena em que yoko ve a pomba passando em camera lenta é magnifica, fiquei de queixo caÃdo pela beleza desse epsodeo.
By jay
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Beyond is just beautifull, a piece of art hidden in the Animatrix mix. Its together with The Second Renaissance the best reason to get the Animatrix.
Now from my point of view what makes Beyond so special its the simplicity of the story, and the amazing character development achieved by Koji Morimoto. Yoko is perhaps the best character portraited in the whole Animatrix just by being a normal girl in a normal neighborhood enjoying a totally “beyond this world”experience.
Great review dr_colossus
By fly red
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Beyond stands out in comparsion to all the other episodes. Although the others are more dramatic and interesting. there is something about beyond that effects me in a way that the others don’t. i know it may sound weird but i love the sound of insects buzzing in the hot day. it reminds me of hot summer nights.
By mike
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
it’s amazing, i thin so, that’s is the most beautifull episode of all animatrix short films…… bu one question someone knows whick is the theme used n these pisode for the crooswalks ?? i like it so muhc ;). please send me an anwer to my mail OK!
By Daniel
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Hi yes beyond was my absolute favourite aswell i have over 50 stills from it. It helped me learn the beauty in the pure perspective of children. It has a lovley atmosphere about the whole cartoon and Yoko is a very cool character i love that star on her cheek and she also wears a star t-shirt. Yes definitly the best one and answer the the last guys question it explains the crosswalk themes in the extras of the dvd. Does anyone know where i cood access original storyboard pictures from beyone or even get in touch with the artisit himself, please email me details if anyone knows thankyou and im so glad other people saw the beauty in beyond.
By jacob
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
beyond blew my mind. it was the best (the second Renessaince 1+2 was also great). i don’t know exactly what it is, but the scenes of the children ‘toying’ around with a bug in the matrix are absolutely beautiful. When yoko ‘one-ups’ em with her dove -> gravity trick i got goosebumps up and down my body. after watching it a few times, it seems this resembles young ‘hackers’ in the matrix, and yoko is a bit more experienced. as the ‘debuggers’ come in she yells “there’s no bugs in there!”, she has played with bugs before
email me for more discussion!
By Joe
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
When I first popped the animatrix in my dvd player, clearly I was blown away by the second renessaince, but I was not prepared for the feeling I got after seeing Beyond. The look of pure wonder on yoko’s face as the dove flies by her face in slo-mo, the music intensifies the wonder (does anyone know if that song is on the soundtrack?) It is one of the most thought provoking shorts I have ever seen.
By TrueBlue
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Beyond.
WHo is that girl who says
“I figured this out yesterday. Your cat’s okay. It’s those boys again”
those are the only lines she says in the short film. What is her purpose?
What did she figure out? How come we dont see her again? Why does she ‘look/act’ mature?
By TrueBlue
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Beyond is strangely my fav short film in animatrix, i dont know why. Maybe i like confusing or hidden messages within movies that facinate me and tear my mind apart! Especially that strange mature acting girl.
I also love the slow-mo when yoko is falling on her side, it sorta seemed like dooms day was happening in the background…
By Ivan Youghi
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
I simply find Yoko’s character as well as the whole short film fascinating!
I dare not try to explain why’s that so because - as Antoine de Saint Exupery once wrote - “To get to know something you mustn’t analyse it nor explain it. Instead, you should try to see it as a whole.” So when I watch beyond a powerful feeling steals over me, it’s something like when a secret is unfolded before me. Oh boy, I think I’m obsessed with Yoko!
By captain stubing
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Beyond is definitly the coolest short on the DVD, like numerous ppl said above. The climax to me is when Yoko plucks the spinning/floating feather from the air and the crescendo(ing) strings come to an abrupt stop. The instant before this scene, you can see the cat Yuki has the dove in her sights, and is preparing to pounce.
Its interesting that the kids are so amazed and have ‘never seen this before’ and are basically moving in realtime, while Yoko is almost frozen in the air at a 45 degree angle.
The music is incredible, what a superb choice. I couldn’t find the music, so I instead downloaded an A/V extractor called No. 1 Video Converter.. i extracted the audio track into MP3 format from the entire movie.. took around 10 minutes.. its around 70mb or so.. The i used an MP3 splitter to take around 3 minutes of that short out..
amazing!
By Arturo
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
I discovered that Yoko had an orgasm in the slo-mo fall scene the thirt time that I see the film (these time under the efects of canabis). I don’t care that Beyond have no relatinoship with the history of Matrix, to ME is simply the best.
By TrueBlue
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Wait, how did u ‘discover’ she had an orgasm. That makes no sense!?
By Seth
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
Obviously the scene can be interpreted as if Yoko had an orgasm! It’s up to one’s own phantasy I’d say.
By Natalie
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
I loved this episode, the music that plays, and the situation, and the visual, gives a very unique look and experience, it kind of makes me wish the kids could keep on playing. Then the opressing agents come. That was sad:(
By Adriano
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
i wonder if exist a big version like a movie of this…
if anyone now please mail me dynek_denon@hotmail.com
By Tonya
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground! (heartbreaka_02@hotmail.com)
By Anthony
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
“please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground!”
I love this music and i need to know the name please!
By michelle
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
I thought beyond was the best of all the animatrix,just because yoko was such a normal girl with a normal life and stuff.Id really love to get some more stills and stuff i think it’s the coolest and the story is not half bad either.
By Adriano
on May 14, 2006 | Reply
“please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground!”
Yeah i love it too, please mail it to me!!
My mail is dynek_denon@hotmail.com
By Motoko
on Aug 14, 2006 | Reply
I’d too love to know the name of the song!
And an kinda stupid question, what’s the name of the other song, you know when Yoko is on the phone and you can hear it in the background– Genré: I believe it’s electronica.
Pleaaase, e-mail me (L)!
Animatrix for ever! ^^
By Marolle
on Oct 15, 2006 | Reply
Hey.
Just seen and analysed the animatrix. Its amazing.
I would also like to know who made the music or if its possible to buy it some where??
By doomberg
on Nov 26, 2006 | Reply
“please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground!�
Yeah i love it too, please mail it to me!!
My mail is doomberg@hotmail.com
By UMT
on Nov 27, 2006 | Reply
“please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground!�
yes whoever has this, i have been looking for that particular song for a while and I cant find it. SOMEONE HELP! thats the most peaceful scene in the movie!
email me at unifiedmtheory@gmail.com
By kuba
on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
I’d also like to know where I can find the song we can hear while the girl is falling down…
I’ ve only found a sample on wikipedia
By kb
on Dec 22, 2006 | Reply
it’s amazing how many people have been looking for that song…
By Abhimanyu
on Dec 31, 2006 | Reply
The music playing while yoko is on the phone is Hands Around My throat by death in vegas !
But who knows the music playing in the slo mo scene ????
By tony
on Jan 7, 2007 | Reply
“please email me the name of the music that plays while she slowly falls to the ground!”
I love this music and i need to know where i can listen a full version or buy it… please !!!
My email is : anthony_meric@hotmail.com
By Daniela
on Jan 8, 2007 | Reply
I would also like to know the name of the music that is playing while she’s falling… I suggest to the person whos knows, to post the name hear, so that everyone can see it.. thanks
By Jezzebelle
on Jan 28, 2007 | Reply
I’d also like to know what song it is :Redqueen186@gmail.com
By Bam
on Feb 8, 2007 | Reply
Yes I would love to know the music as well when Yoko is falling! Please email it to me! or where I coudl find it! Email-Twilight0o@aol.com
By ISG
on Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
I would love to know the music as well when Yoko is falling! Please email it to me! or where I could find it!
By Roseraie
on Apr 6, 2007 | Reply
I’d also like to know what song it is : ruined_truth@hotmail.com
By ISG
on Apr 6, 2007 | Reply
I would love to know the music as well when Yoko is falling! Please email it to me or where I could find it! reigndistrict@gmail.com
By junglegeorge
on May 28, 2007 | Reply
here on wikipedia you can find an audiosample of beyond, which includes the moment in which appears this wonderful music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_(The_Animatrix)
i think this music was composed specially for this episode, and the sad thing is it isn’t on the o.s.t it’s also this music that makes beyond for me the best episode on animatrix and one of my favourite movie ever!
By junglegeorge
on May 28, 2007 | Reply
hmm, sry, the link past didn’t work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_(The_Animatrix)
if it ain’t working again, you have just to go on wikipedia.com and search for animatrix and then beyond.
By Fennerman
on Jul 23, 2007 | Reply
My fav short of animatrix. Here’s my interpretation: In this short, normal kids, who maybe don’t have the “strenght” or what it takes (will, intelligence, perception) to discover about the matrix and be “prepared” to leave it, have a real taste of freedom, a taste of something “beyond” (hence the title) their lifes inside the matrix, beyond their preconcieved destinies and their simple, preconcieved lifes. They, prisioners (like everyone else inside the matrix), feel what is like to be free, what is like to be alive, with all the beauty of that. However, they just can’t understand enough to leave, to set themselves free (like the sportsman of World Record), but, after that taste of freedom, Yuko, the main character, feels like there is something missing, like her life will never be the same again. She saw her own spirit, she found herself when she looked into that void… and at the end, when she accidentaly cuts herself, we see a deep scene: she looking at her blood, letting it spill, we hear her breathing. Her blood is her life, blood is life, and she looks at it in a whole different way, she is experiencing life differently now, a deeper way, the way you experience it when you discover there is something beyond your daily routine. It’s a metaphor, the blood (her life) and the matrix. The matrix is all the dull things, the TVShow life, the “happy-nice” life. And she was in it, but now that she experienced something beyond it, her life will never be the same.
By Tony...yyy!â„¢
on Aug 18, 2007 | Reply
I have a surprise, after long and hard research “beyond the web”
take a look here :
http://www.tunemusic.net/live/
in the “Listen” section… Open your mind and listen!
have a good day!
Tony
By UMT
on Aug 18, 2007 | Reply
OMG TONY THANKS MAN… many many thanks. how did u find it?
By Isaac Madrid
on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
TONY YOU’RE THE SHIZZZZZZZNIT! THANKS BRO, MANY THANKS!
By Tony...yyy!â„¢
on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
You welcome friends!
Since 3 years… always believe but i’ve never found it!
But now, enjoy this song with me!
Have a nice day!
Tony
By 1234
on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
yeah i love this one to, did anyone else notice the can at the end (the one she cuts herself on) the way it is drawn to the area where the exceptional house was.. some sort of object memory maybe?
lol im not sure if she was supposed to be orgasming at that time…. but hey its a nice perception
By Nazo
on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Wow, this has blown my mind. It is so emotional, and so beautiful. It means so much to me that other people feel the same. Thanks for posting!
Aside from when Yoko plucks the flower from the air, I love the scene where the cat is peering into a hole (where the camera is) and a rat flies out (presumably playing with gravity as well).