Title: Ghost in the Shell – Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama
Distributed by Manga Video & Bandai Entertainment
Running time: 113 min, Not Rated, Available on standard DVD
In the year 2034 and the section 9 field team is out to investigate a chain of suicides by Siak Republic agents that are linked to a master hacker known as the “Puppeteer.” Meanwhile thousands of children go missing and are discovered to have had their cyberbrains replaced and identities modified to become the children of “Noble Rot” senior citizens, who are elderly patients in a hospice-like environment that are hooked up to a health care monitoring network run by the “Solid State.” Togusa, Aramaki, Motoko and Batou are determined to discover who is the mastermind behind the Solid State Society.
It’s been years since I saw the original Ghost in the Shell, and the concept was just way over my head. If you are a fan of sci-fi, anime, and just a bunch of futuristic cyborg stuff, then this is definitely something you should check out. I was entertained, because it made me challenge the boundaries of my own imagination, but some of the dialogue and technology was just too advanced for me to follow. The animation however was excellent and awe inspiring.
The Blu-ray features include a segment on animation and design of the futuristic cars seen in the film, the making of Tachikoma Robot, English cast and crew interviews and Japanese crew interviews; as well as both English and Japanese trailers.
Anime is not for everyone, but Ghost In the Shell has a huge cult fanbase and this will be a great addition to the fans own personal collection.
Total Rating: B
Reviewed by JM Willis
