Armitage III: Dual-Matrix

Synopsis:

Naomi Armitage makes her return in Dual-Matrix but not as a smart-mouthed loose-cannon cop but this time as a family oriented mother hell bent on revenge for robot rights. Yes, robots and humans co-exist but these robots aren't always obedient and sometimes think for themselves and there is a system of government in place to pass a law that either allows robots to live as they please or become slave-like to obey humans. Armitage is the only successful "third" type android to exist which is ridiculously human-like capable of human emotion and conceiving life... yes, she can get pregnant. She also has the ability to perform telepresence which allows her to hack any system and also connect to other robots. Dual-Matrix picks up as Armitage and her husband Ross are beginning to have a normal life on Mars (which is, of course, colonized) under assumed names with thier daughter Yoko. Armitage receives a video signal from earth that displays other third type robots such as herself in a research lab getting slaughtered (destroyed?) by soldiers in mech suits. Armitage decides to take it upon herself and head to earth to investigate the incident and dons her leather suit and computerized sun-glasses once again.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 1 (it's a movie)


Review:

Just a note to start Dual-Matrix is a sequel to Poly-Matrix. I had seen the original Arimitage III a very long time ago so if you haven't watched Armitage III or Poly-Matrix (which are almost the same thing) then you might wanna check those out first.

The expansive worlds that Dual-Matrix drops you into is impressive as it's vision of the future is quite original. Nothing ever feels displaced and every little detail shows some sign of what technology could be in years to come. To me, this really stands out especially for a 90 minute movie instead of a lengthy series. You'll find yourself instantly connecting with the protagonist Armitage as her strong will and cocky attitude while maintaining her family woman mindset make for one original character and you'll even find yourself cheering her on in almost every battle. Even the other people in the story have a sense of individuality that helps everyone stand out in thier own way whether they be hero or villain. There is no trip into anyone's past as it's doesn't seem necessary because what you're getting in the present is good enough it would simply be wasting time.

The animation here is above average but I didn't appreciate the primitive CGI used in some scenes with it's low color palette that stuck out like a sore thumb... badly. You're also given a cast of characters that are either welcome or despicable put into an imaginative universe making Dual-Matrix stand nicely on it's own and with this combination I would recommend it. But please, watch Poly-Matrix or Armitage III (if you can find it) first. Yeah, the English track was good but I've come to expect this from Pioneer releases.

Armitage III: Dual-Matrix (trailer)

Recommendation: |Above Average|

Media type: DVD
From: Geneon
Spoken languages: English;Japanese
Subtitles: English