‘Matrix Reloaded’ is an underachiever

The Matrix Reloaded

Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne

Warner, $30

Probably a more apt title for this sequel to the 1999 action hit should be “The Matrix Overloaded” due to the excessive use of that quirky stop-motion introduced in the original, as well as the endless number of fight sequences. However, the best way to describe the DVD of the second in the trilogy -- “The Matrix Revolutions” arrives in theaters next month -- is underwhelming.

Where is the commentary from the men behind “The Matrix,” directors Larry and Andy Wachowski? Until a special edition makes its way to stores, fans will have to content themselves with a standard behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and mini-docs on the video game and the animated shorts, both of which play out like commercials. The best elements are the sketches from this year’s “MTV Movie Awards” spoofing the movie and an examination of the breathtaking car chase sequence.

*

Star Trek V -- The Final Frontier

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy

Paramount, $25

Shatner agreed to do the fourth installment in the “Star Trek” movie franchise, if he got a chance to direct the fifth film. After all, Nimoy had directed the moderately entertaining third episode in the series as well as ‘Star Trek IV,” which became both a critical and commercial splash. But Shatner is no Nimoy and this adventure is a “Trek” not worth taking. Self-indulgent and New Age-y to the max, “The Final Frontier” finds Kirk, Spock, Bones and the Enterprise gang searching for God. Laurence Luckinbill plays a rebellious zealot Vulcan who kidnaps Federation officials in his quest for the Supreme Being.

The two-disc DVD set features a retrospective of the making of the film, deleted scenes, interviews with scientists about the cosmos and spirituality and often-affectionate commentary from Shatner and his daughter, Liz, who wrote a book about the making of this film.

*

Wrong Turn

Desmond Harrington, Eliza Dushku

Fox, $28

Special-makeup-effects genius Stan Winston has created some grisly, terrifying mountain men/cannibal villains for this gory, ‘70s-style horror pic that he also produced. The film musters a few jolts and boasts an attractive young cast; however, horror aficionados have seen it all before and done much better.

The two-sided DVD features short, slickly made mini-documentaries on the film’s production, star Dushku and Winston. Director Rob Schmidt, Harrington and Dushku supply the giggly commentary.

*

The Office -- The Complete

First Series

Ricky Gervais

BBC, $30

The word “brilliant” is bandied about much too much these days. Yet it best describes the first six-episode season of this British series -- a dark, dark comedy set in a dysfunctional office of a paper merchant. Filmed as if a TV documentary, “The Office,” which also airs on BBC America, is funny, disturbing and unsettling. Ricky Gervais, who wrote and directed the show with Stephen Merchant, is a revelation as the oily, manipulative office manager David Brent. Mackenzie Crook is the skeletally thinned team leader; Martin Freeman is the office’s everyman, a 30-year-old salesman still living at home, and Ralph Ineson is the lewd, overbearing sales rep Chris Finch.

Besides all six episodes, the two-disc DVD set also features a funny documentary on the making of the series -- the outtakes are particularly enjoyable -- and descriptions of deleted scenes.

*

Also this week

“Blue Car” is a realistic view of the melodramas encountered by a teenager in a hurry to grow up (Miramax: $29.99); Glenn Close and Dermot Mulroney star in interlocking tales of four households in “The Safety of Objects” (MGM: $29.98)

Top VHS rentals

1. 2 Fast 2 Furious

2. Dreamcatcher

3. Daddy Day Care

4. Anger Management

5. Holes

Top DVD rentals

1. 2 Fast 2 Furious

2. Daddy Day Care

3. Anger Management

4. Dreamcatcher

5. Boat Trip

What’s coming

Tuesday: “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “28 Days Later,” “It Runs in the Family” and “The Eye”