Once again, a concept that needed more emphasis on it.
Matriculated might be one of the most interesting shorts in terms of its concept, the idea and ethics of Matrixing the machines back. Sadly, it is swallowed up by an emphasis on making trippy animation and to me that is such a shame! Having an allegorical dive into a machines head and thoughts is such a good idea and the entire ethical debate the short sets up are so interesting but just don´t have the time to explore it. This could have been the greatest short but sadly feel so short. Still enjoyable though and the potential itself raises the short above so many others.
A team of human's trap robots and try to convert them to be on the human side, by making a Matrix experience for them.
The entire idea and concept it what make this short so great. The ethical question of the Matrix is questioned so well here. The humans are split in terms of taking over the machines, should they just be hacked? Do they have feelings and free will? Should we let them choose to join the humans or just take them over? The entire "we are not them" debate is incredible here, especially with the ending in mind. The entire idea of going into the mind of a machine to make them more human is very abstract and I like that. The human experience is different from the machine and making it more focused on emotional experience really elevates the concept.
Sadly, there is not enough emphasis on the concept. It is drowned by trying to make abstract animation and even that aspect is not looking too great here in my opinion. I don´t know if I liked the blend of 2 and 3D animation and it´s sad to have such a great concept being overshadowed by a team, clearly emphasizing their focus on the animation.
I liked the underlying theme of trauma, even after learning to bond, sometimes trauma affects us in situation they shouldn't, and this make aspects like the ending work so incredibly well.
This short could have been the greatest but ends up having it´s priorities mixed up. It has so many philosophical and great concepts that are just put to the side for mediocre animation and trippy ideas. I need a remake of this.
