Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32237 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Japanese, English
• Subtitled in: English
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 179 minutes

Synopsis
Two features. 'Ghost In The Shell' and 'Ghost In The Shell 2. 'Director Mamoru Oshii follows up his adaptation of Masamune Shirow's manga in the Anime film 'Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence'. Similar in concept and theme to the cyberpunk classic 'Blade Runner', 'Ghost In The Shell' features a future where humans can modify their bodies with technology and live side-by-side with androids. A few years after the original film, police cyborg Bato is still mourning the loss of his partner Motoko. Bato and his new partner Togusa undertake an investigation of a series of seedy murders of wealthy men at the hands of their malfunctioning sex-androids. Expanding on the subject matter of the first film, their inquiry leads to a consideration of the true differences, if any, between humans and the artificial beings they create. 'Ghost In The Shell 2' combines action, philosophy, and breathtaking animated visuals and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Customer Reviews

Influential and beautiful
Both the films in this boxset are made by the same team and are an enjoyable watch but for different reasons.

The first film is the original Ghost in the Shell is a classic anime movie and is one of the influences behind the Matrix films. Although the animation is quite crude compared to that of more modern anime it is still a joy to watch and the film is very well scripted, with some great action as well as some more thoughtful and philosophical moments. This film is a must see for any anime fans.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is the second film and although not as good as the original Ghost in the Shell it is still an excellent film. Much of this is due to the incredibly beautiful animation, using a mixture of computer generated 3D backdrops and traditional animation for the characters has lead to this film being one of the most beautiful I have ever watched. The problem with this film though is that for some reason the storyline isn't as involving as that of the first film.

These films are both interesting and fun to watch and are a must see for anime fans and although these films have a different continuity to the Stand Alone Complex series it is still a must see for anyone who likes either Gig.

Excellent
This is only a brief review of the second film as the first is some 13-14 years old now,although it still looks great,the second one is set some three years after the first and concentrates on Batou mainly,the Major is 'gone' although does appear,in some form or another,towards the end of the film,don't be fooled into thinking it's going to be a gunfest or something as it is rather,I hesitate to use the word 'slow',but it is very deep and ponderous,interspersed with bouts of action,in much the same way as Bladerunner is,this is more focused on the 'whys' and not lengthy gun battles and explosions,excellent.

Both fantastic sci-fi/thriller fantasy, something director James Cameron would do
They're one of the best Japanese anime films I've seen along with Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and Spriggan. The first one is obviously better than the second. The big problem with the second is that it is confusing at times but it is lush to look at. As soon I finished watching the first Ghost in the Shell, i was thinking that James Cameron should come back to directing a live action version of the film. It would be quality!

Ghost in the Shell - 4/5

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence - 3/5