007 4 I saw this movie for the first time on Sci-Fi Channel's Ani-Monday . I was getting ready to call it a night when this was advertised as being next and had to stay up and watch it . It's a very well done movie with a lot of feeling of the first movie that was brought to the series . Alot of things have changed , alot of feelings are different , but it's all very good . I think I saw an edited version but for the most part it was very well done . All the original cast has returned to do the voices so there's no problem with the english subtitles or with dubbing . Overall it was a good movie .
046 4 2nd gig of Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex is a good continuation of where the first collection left off . The stories are interesting , exciting , and some of them even deeply moving . This series goes a lot deeper into the character's back stories as well for fans of Ghost in the Shell . The only problem I had with this one is that it takes itself way too seriously and the socio-political-techno babble is over done and gets really old , really fast and just detracts from both the stand alone and multi-episode stories .
084 4 Ghost in the shell is a great series . The first movie was revolutionary , but the second movie was a letdown . The anime series stand alone complex , revived the series . I only gave it 4 stars . I had to delete one star because the 2nd gig shows japanese xenophobia and racism . About half the episode are anti-chinese or anti-american .
087 4 i downloaded a torrent of the jap version of this and im still buying the english dvd . the premisie is prettty simple a computer master mind is getting bots to kill them selves . over all an exelent movie , while not as visually stunning as innocence it raises the bar in terms of storytelling . if u pick this up you will not be dissapointed .
090 4 . . . Major Motoko Kusanagi has resigned from her post and Section 9 has been forced to confront a dangerous hacker called the Puppeteer after tracing a series of suicides to this terrorist . As they dive deeper into what may be a government conspiracy they start to cross paths with the Major . Is this an accident or is she working for the wrong side ? Get ready to become paranoid in this action-packed movie based on the Stand Alone Complex series . Extras include interviews with some of the English voice actors and storyboard subtitles .
018 4 This standalone movie picks up the GITS series two years later . True Shirow GITS fans will see the final thread unwound from his graphic novel . The entire movie is only 100 minutes , I wish they would have put in more material and took it out to at least a full 2 hours . Otherwise it was very well put together .
034 4 the movie was great , a lot less confusing than the others , worked much more like the series .
059 4 A definite must have for any ghost in the shell fan . 2nd gig seems to be darker , more serious and more action packed than the original series . Gives more background information on the different team members as well , which i always found interesting .
032 4 Not since they pulled out the concept in the first GIS movie that the build up of information at nodes in the sea of information could result in a self maintaining / regulating entity have I been so blown away by an idea in an Anime film . Batou , Togusa , and the whole gang are on the job , but where is the Major ? Some hard hitting criminal is up to something with people dying or disappearing or simply just being erased from the sea of information . The Major is missing AND their is a new criminal about , who could it be ?
Well , this film take political science fiction to its height , and also does very nicely with the technology and action aspects . And the ending is friggin phenomenal . Sure the GIS has always been wonderful with its ability to paint the world in shades of gray , or at least to say that sometimes the black is the better choice over the white , but in this story , the viewer will find it impossible to make a judement call on which side was fighting for the greater good .
BTW , watching these movies in English is pathetic because they choose voices that seem appropriate for Children's Cartoons . Be serious , GIS is absolutely not for children , if , IF , they can comprehend the concepts being thrown around , there is no way they can actually appreciate them .
024 4 An excellent series , which continues to improve during the second season . Animation quality seems noticeably better than the first season .
The second season features more character development and increasing emphasis on broader socio-technological issues in plot development . Probably two of my three favorite Standalone Complex episodes are in this season .
Also , the packaging is of much higher quality than the cheap box the first season collection came in . Both are inseparable as a set . Definitely worth the money !
043 4 I liked solid state society , and I think that if you like the stand alone complex series , you will like solid state society as well . It is more like the 2nd gig than the original stand alone complex series . The quality is great . It is rather convoluded though , as ghost in the shell can be at times , but I would say its no more complex than 2nd gig was , and for the most part , it is an interesting cyberpunk action movie . I strongly recommend getting the soundtrack . It comes with the steel book edition ( only $1 more on amazon when I bought it ) . Yoko Kanno's music is absolutely fantastic . This soundtrack is much more in the classical genre , but there are also some good techno / pop tracks .
048 4 The box arrived in mint condition - I was so happy to see the individually wrapped dvds cases . I was a little worried that I would be missing outon the case art .
The box itself is great . Closes with a magnet . Very slick .
Only woe is that when looking at the dvd cases in the box you cannot see what volumes they are . The cut of the box covers the numbers .
Just means you gotta put these in order or spend a few seconds sorting through the great cover art to find the one you want .
055 4 Fantastic movie if your a fan of the show you will LOVE this , all our favorites are back ! takes off right were the tv program left off ! the voices are all the same which I love ! I've watched it 4 times already just LOVE it !
047 4 if you are over 18 this is something you should watch ! even if you cant buy it you should watch a few episodes its worth it !
062 4 I love everything ghost in the shell so this was a no brainier for me . But if you buy this please make sure you have seen the first movie and SAC season one before watching this .
080 4 Expresses a good quick story arc from the SAC series . Not as representative of the strengths of the anime , however .
060 4 This is what you would expect from the team that makes this awsome film and series ! Visuals are as always , Top notch in the anime world , with thought provoking story lines , that make it so you can't wait to watch the next episode in the series . If you like you anime like i do with realistic looking charaters , and just alaround good damn movie . you have to have this in your collection , along with the whole series !
061 4 Good sequal but , the ending of this season leaves it open for the movie . There was a good story biuld up , but the last epidose was too brief and didn't explore Major's loss and mental state . You need that for the movie . Overall it was worth buying as a whole set to watch , very little to be disappointed about .
082 4 For people who purchased the S.A.C . first box set you'll be really happy with this one . The box is - much - sturdier and it feels like you're getting a lot more for your money ( as opposed to the first box set where none of the DVDs really seemed to match in packaging and the box to it seemed like something someone just threw together ) .
2nd GIG is fantastic and a lot of fun , it takes a little while to ramp up but one of my favorite features of it is that a number of the non-major characters like Paz and Saito have their own episodes about their backgrounds .
071 4 Loved it , loved it , loved it . If you're a GOS fan , while it's different from the series , it's still fun to watch . It's an alternative story line to the series and the other movies but it's still GOS no matter how you look at it . Motoko is just as fiesty as ever , the Tachis - well , they're different but they still have that sense of fun about them , especially in Tachikomatic Daze that is available on the dvd .
If you're new to GOS - watch it and watch all the other GOS series . I think you'll enjoy it . . . especially the Tachikomas .
098 4 After all the positive reviews and my wife away for a few days I thought I'd geek out on some animated sci-fi goodness but . . . yikes ! I couldn't tell what was going on about . . . 90% of the time . The animation most of the time consisted of slightly panning stills where only the character's bottom lip would wiggle slightly . . . Robot nurses with dental floss for uniforms ? Robots that act like little kids and get NO reaction from anyone with this behavior ! ? ! People putting cyber parts in their brain that can be hacked just by receiving a call phone call ? Did none of you watch this ? It was utter stupidity . . . Big thumbs down for me .
010 4 I don't know if any of you have a similar issue but at the start of chapter 15 there is a 2 second layer pause on mine . My player has memory buffers to greatly reduce the time for a transition and I don't have this long of one on any other DVDs I own . Any way the movie itself is terrific with a great job by the dub team at Bandai . Thats why I give the movie itself a 5 and the DVD a 2 cause of the annoying pause in chapter 15 . For a an average 3 stars .
020 4 The first disc that I ordered went to the title screen , but couldn't play the movie . The second disc played , but had temporary trouble with Ch 15 . When I watched it through on the second one , the story was great and I would love to buy this . I have contacted the companies that make this movie about the issue . I will buy at a later date when they fix the problem .
028 4 I'd have to agree with others who have described this movie as more of an extended television episode . It's not got the same impact as the previous movies , but it's still quite good . Good story , familiar characters , I enjoyed it !
054 4 The product was all that I had hoped for and even arrived earlier than expected .
072 4 Fits well with the series , though it can feel like little more than an elongated episode . The DVD I ordered from Amazon was defective ; however , Bandai replaced it without giving me any static . If you enjoy the other movies and the 2 seasons this is a nice addition to your collection , but do not expect too much from this movie .
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
I assume that Production I.G . finally got tired of padding screen time with trite exposition and inane one-off subplots that contribute nothing to the story , as this film does away with all these things that so plagued its made-for-TV predecessors . The production values are nowhere near the levels of the last GITS theatrical release , but the story is at least as focused and drives straight ahead throughout . Taken at a distance , the plot seems somewhat derivative - - there are child abductions ( just like in Innocence ) and a mysterious computer network based consciousness known as the Puppet Master ( sounds a lot like Puppeteer ) driving people to kill themselves ( Innocence again ) , but the similarities are fairly inconsequential once you actually get into the story .
There are also far fewer squeaky voiced robots pontificating tediously , which is always a plus . Those kinds of things work OK in the sidebars of comic books , but translated into film . . . Ugh . . . I often felt as though the viewer's intelligence was being insulted by the television serials , but never felt that way at any point in this more streamlined offering ( though the music is often intensely silly ) . Kudos to the writers for growing up . Boo for Bandai's delays and choice of cover art - - it's not 1988 anymore , kids . Put the airbrushes down .
002 4 This film is one of the best things that I have seen come out of the GITS franchise . I have watched the movie several times , each time enjoying even more . I would give a description of the plot , but I will not ruin it for you . My only complaint about Solid State Society is that it borrows ideas from both of the feature-length movies . If you liked GITS : SAC , and most specially 2nd GIG , you will enjoy this movie .
Note : It is dubbed in English , unlike Innocence . Amazon just has that fact incorrect
005 4 This film is one of the best things that I have seen come out of the GITS franchise . I have watched the movie several times , each time enjoying even more . I would give a description of the plot , but I will not ruin it for you . My only complaint about Solid State Society is that it borrows ideas from both of the feature-length movies . If you liked GITS : SAC , and most specially 2nd GIG , you will enjoy this movie .
Note : It is dubbed in English , unlike Innocence . Amazon just has that fact incorrect .
031 4 So , the first thing I have to say is yes , I am glad I bought it . However , don't make the same mistake I made . . . I , for no good reason , assumed that the team who created GITS : Innocence created GITS : SSS . Wrong ! ! ! Do not expect the same dramatic , philosophical , and artistic depth and sophistication found in GITS : Innocence .
The team that created this film is the same team that generates the series . As a matter of fact , this film has a made-for-TV feel about it . It seems as if two individual stories were grafted together as one which may account for some of the disharmony . It also felt somewhat episodic , as if filmed so that it could be easily serialized . ( As an aside . . . The involvement of Nissan makes me a little nervous for the future , hopefully the studio doesn't lose their artistic vision and swing too far to the commercial side . The concept cars were cool but they weren't anything the art team couldn't have created on their own . With the exception of one scene , the cars simply were not integral to the film . )
Now , with all of that said , I love the series . This film is on par with caliber of the 2nd season . The art , audio , general plot , English dubbing , etc . is top notch . ( Writing ? Well . . . the continuity people responsible for ensuring that the story flows smoothly could have tightened things up a bit . )
If you love the series , you'll love this movie .
So , yes , I'm glad I bought it and I'll probably watch it again today ! !
067 4 For those unfamiliar with the premise of the ghost in the shell franchise , it is based in the future focusing on the trials and tribulations of an elite crime-fighting group known as Section 9 .
Solid State Society is a direct to dvd movie based on the stand alone complex TV series which , itself , was a spin-off from the original 1995 film .
I won't go into the plot details but i will tell you as far as anime films go this is one of the best around . With an intellectual story that incorporates numerous themes and action that , for it's modest budget , is quite impressive .
Finally , the DVD includes both Japanese & English audio in DTS 5.1 . So if you are an anime collector , I'm probably telling you everything you already know . If you are yet to be introduced to the wonderful world of anime , this maybe the movie that gets the ball rolling . . . .
091 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
I assume that Production I.G . finally got tired of padding screen time with trite exposition and inane one-off subplots that contribute nothing to the story , as this film does away with all these things that so plagued its made-for-TV predecessors . The production values are nowhere near the levels of the last GITS theatrical release , but the story is at least as focused and drives straight ahead throughout . Taken at a distance , the plot seems somewhat derivative - - there are child abductions ( just like in Innocence ) and a mysterious computer network based consciousness known as the Puppet Master ( sounds a lot like Puppeteer ) driving people to kill themselves ( Innocence again ) , but the similarities are fairly inconsequential once you actually get into the story .
There are also far fewer squeaky voiced robots pontificating tediously , which is always a plus . Those kinds of things work OK in the sidebars of comic books , but translated into film . . . Ugh . . . I often felt as though the viewer's intelligence was being insulted by the television serials , but never felt that way at any point in this more streamlined offering ( though the music is often intensely silly ) . Kudos to the writers for growing up . Boo for Bandai's delays and choice of cover art - - it's not 1988 anymore , kids . Put the airbrushes down .
092 4 I assume that Production I.G . finally got tired of padding screen time with trite exposition and inane one-off subplots that contribute nothing to the story , as this film does away with all these things that so plagued its made-for-TV predecessors . The production values are nowhere near the levels of the last GITS theatrical release , but the story is at least as focused and drives straight ahead throughout . Taken at a distance , the plot seems somewhat derivative - - there are child abductions ( just like in Innocence ) and a mysterious computer network based consciousness known as the Puppet Master ( sounds a lot like Puppeteer ) driving people to kill themselves ( Innocence again ) , but the similarities are fairly inconsequential once you actually get into the story .
There are also far fewer squeaky voiced robots pontificating tediously , which is always a plus . Those kinds of things work OK in the sidebars of comic books , but translated into film . . . Ugh . . . I often felt as though the viewer's intelligence was being insulted by the television serials , but never felt that way at any point in this more streamlined offering ( though the music is often intensely silly ) . Kudos to the writers for growing up . Boo for Bandai's delays and choice of cover art - - it's not 1988 anymore , kids . Put the airbrushes down .
Innocence ) are based on the manga , however , they treat the themes on the manga in a totally cinematic and deep way , developing the characters far beyond the manga in some aspects and presenting the viewer with a full overview of the concept and main philosophy . For instance , the anime series , Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex , take some aspects from the manga , but it's main focus is to deal with how the characters interact with their world , and the existential and social problems this future has for humanity . In this case , Solid State Society , continues the concept and plot established by this series , having little to do with the movies or manga . Consider it as an long-play special episode that fits after the end of the second season of Stand Alone Complex . So , for those new to the series , I recommend you to get a glimpse of the other options to enter the world of Ghost in The Shell and its many differences , before buying it . Or get the Stand Alone Complex Season 1 and Season 2 for the matter . Otherwise , come on in ! Solid State Society , is a solid , complex , movie that doesn't waste its 120 minutes of running length . The plot is well constructed and the twists that compose it , far beyond of making it boring or difficult to understand , guide the viewer easily from start to finish . It flwalessly continues the events in Stand Alone Complex season 2 , and also opens a new saga in the series . Character visual design and overall graphic presentation are quite polished , mixing CG 2D and 3D images flwalessly and in a natural way for the viewer . Full 16 : 9 aspect ratio makes Solid State Society a nice visual experience on SD televisions and displays and also on HD with the use of a DVD Player or A / V Receiver with an integrated upscaler . The use witihin the movie of virtual lens , and depth-of-view also make for a nice real-life approach to express something in animation instead of live-action . Voice dubbing in japanese and english is quite well done , in fact , I really suggest having a first view in english ( if you're somewhat new to the series ) then watching it in japanese with subtitles . 5.1 surround ( Dolby ) sound is supported on both languages and overall sound mixing is of high quality , considering the problems that lip-syncing usually has . The musical score , made by Yoko Kano , a famous japanese musician and composer , deepens the dark enviroment of the movie itself and enhances the plot and characters . Synthethisers , beats and woman-sung chorus , mixed with powerful sound effects also provide a great sound experience . Overall it's a great production worth of watching not just once , but many times . The Limited Edition contains the movie disc , an extras disc with interviews , designs , and other bonus content , and a original soundtrack CD by Yoko Kano , all in a metal-like jewel box . However , I've rated it 4 stars since the soundtrack does not contains a printed playlist nor any additional info . Also it doesn't come with other value-adding bonus ( like postcards , some kind of book , plastic figures . . . ) aside from the noted above . For the hardcore fans and collectors I suggest you to wait for a re-edition or similar of it . Overall , the movie itself is a must for the fans of the series . It is also a must for sci-fi lovers or anime lovers , but make sure you get Stand Alone Complex ( S1 and S2 ) at least first ( also I suggest that to those who have just watched the two first movies or read the manga only ) .
001 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
This film is one of the best things that I have seen come out of the GITS franchise . I have watched the movie several times , each time enjoying even more . I would give a description of the plot , but I will not ruin it for you . My only complaint about Solid State Society is that it borrows ideas from both of the feature-length movies . If you liked GITS : SAC , and most specially 2nd GIG , you will enjoy this movie .
Note : It is dubbed in English , unlike Innocence . Amazon just has that fact incorrect
003 4 Solid State Society is hopefully a sign of what is to come in the world of Ghost in the Shell . After Stand Alone Complex's 2nd GIG , I was definitely left with a slightly bitter aftertaste . The pacing of the 2nd GIG felt uneven and the story felt more convoluted than tastefully complex , creating an adequate but not perfect addition to the GitS series . However , Solid State Society takes the best from the Stand Alone Complex series and in little under two hours presents a story as rich in detail and as lovingly complex as the series preceding it .
A huge plus of the movie is that instead of feeling like an overstretched episode , it feels more like a long arc of quality episodes stringed together while still feeling cinematic in its presentation . Solid State Society gives us everything we expect in a GitS story : a sci-fi universe that draws you in but never overwhelms , continuity in character development , rich and intelligent dialogue and plot that almost seems plausible down the road , and of course , some light philosophy and shades of grey . Even if you aren't an anime or a strict sci-fi fan , you might just enjoy this one .
004 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
This film is one of the best things that I have seen come out of the GITS franchise . I have watched the movie several times , each time enjoying even more . I would give a description of the plot , but I will not ruin it for you . My only complaint about Solid State Society is that it borrows ideas from both of the feature-length movies . If you liked GITS : SAC , and most specially 2nd GIG , you will enjoy this movie .
Note : It is dubbed in English , unlike Innocence . Amazon just has that fact incorrect .
006 4 When I first saw the Ghost in the Shell film back in the nineties , I was not impressed . I simply did not get why the film was so lauded , as I found it boring and the characters unappealing . What a change 10 years and a different format can make ( not to say that Stand Alone Complex is a mere rehash of the movie ) . I am now a Ghost in the Shell fanatic , and the 2nd Gig is the best thing to come out of the franchise .
After the success of the first season of the GitS TV series , a second season was commissioned , and this stellar series is the result . The first season laid all of the groundwork ( beautiful animation , a complex plot , a fascinating near-future world , and characters you really felt for ) , and the 2nd Gig takes everything to the next level . The already solid production values have been improved upon , and the slick animation and detailed designs give the impression of a feature film . This is especially noticable in the wide shots and the action sequences ( which are thankfully more frequent and more visceral ) .
All of the members of Section 9 are back ( including the Tachikomas ! ) , and despite their gruff exteriors they really grow on you . You can feel the comraderrie between Major Matoko Kusanagi , Batou , Togusa , and the rest , and you find yourself really investing in these people's lives . This time around , the story begins with a group calling itself the Individual Eleven taking over the Chinese embassy in Japan . Yet there's something bigger afoot , and by the end of the series the political intrigue and terrorist actions have convincingly and seemlessly escalated to a point where war in emminent . The 2nd Gig also introduces two fascinating advesaries for Section 9 , a governmental information specialist named Ghoda ( who has an awesome character design ) and an intriguing rebel name Kuze who may not be all bad .
As before , the main story episodes are broken up by a series of stand-alone episodes that help to expand and explain the world of Ghost in the Shell while providing plenty of solid character moments . The thing I love most about 2nd Gig is how at their heart , most of the stand alone stories are simple police procedurals that can be enjoyed as just that . However , every single one of these standalone episodes raises ethical and moral questions that will really get you thinking about the world we live in today and what it means to be human . And sci-fi geeks will have lots of fun deciphering what all of the technobabble refers to , as it is never explained to the audience ( but its meaning is readily apparent to anyone who really pays attention ) .
Ghost in the Shell SAC - the 2nd Gig is a rollercoaster of a ride that provides plenty of thrills and political intrigue . But what elevates it to a must-see is the way it challenges you to think about life and the direction our world is headed ( the show raises so many fascinating questions about technology's increasing role in our society ) while still providing first-rate entertainment . It is also populated with characters you truly to get attached to without realizing it . In fact , I almost cried at not one but two episodes , which I never do . Not too shabby for a sci-fi cartoon , huh ?
If you have any interest in science fiction or anime , this set is a must-purchase . It's a great deal , and the DVDs have a good amount of extras in the form of cast and crew interviews .
008 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig is a great anime series and a great television show period .
Although I personally enjoyed the first season's classic detective yarn slightly more , the monologues were heavy and the action sparse . SAC 2nd Gig ups the action this time around as it is more of an espionage and political intrigue story , although the elements of mystery litter throughout . This should please fans who were iffy about the films and the talkiness of the first season .
The Box is a heavy duty casing with magnetic latching flap . Whereas the first season box set was wrapped in a flimsy disposable wraparound , 2nd Gig gets it right for the truly serious collectors .
Rarely does a television show captivate me as much as this one . With the exception of the new Battle Star Galactica , I can't think of any other series which has blown my mind and entertained me at the same time as much as this one . If you like cop drama with a hint of sophistication and a bit of action , then this series is for you .
009 4 Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig is a great anime series and a great television show period .
Although I personally enjoyed the first season's classic detective yarn slightly more , the monologues were heavy and the action sparse . SAC 2nd Gig ups the action this time around as it is more of an espionage and political intrigue story , although the elements of mystery litter throughout . This should please fans who were iffy about the films and the talkiness of the first season .
The Box is a heavy duty casing with magnetic latching flap . Whereas the first season box set was wrapped in a flimsy disposable wraparound , 2nd Gig gets it right for the truly serious collectors .
Rarely does a television show captivate me as much as this one . With the exception of the new Battle Star Galactica , I can't think of any other series which has blown my mind and entertained me at the same time as much as this one . If you like cop drama with a hint of sophistication and a bit of action , then this series is for you .
012 4 In GitS SAC , there are two episodes which I thought to be the best ( of both seasons ) ; these were Affection and Poker Face . Both of the episodes give a ( rare ) peek into the past of Motoko .
013 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
I have always been a fan of Ghost in a shell since the very first movie . Solid State Society is an awesome movie , I think one of the best so far . The writing is good , follows the series very well . I loved the music . And if you get the limited edition version you get the sound track on CD , and an extras DVD , plus the main movie DVD . If you are a fan of the series this is a must have . I keep watching it over and over .
This is not a movie for young childern . It is violent , dramatic , and fast paced .
I think all anime fans would like it . As a fan I personally recomened it !
014 4 I have always been a fan of Ghost in a shell since the very first movie . Solid State Society is an awesome movie , I think one of the best so far . The writing is good , follows the series very well . I loved the music . And if you get the limited edition version you get the sound track on CD , and an extras DVD , plus the main movie DVD . If you are a fan of the series this is a must have . I keep watching it over and over .
This is not a movie for young childern . It is violent , dramatic , and fast paced .
I think all anime fans would like it . As a fan I personally recomened it !
015 4 Ghost in The Shell - Solid State Society , is the latest production based on the Ghost in the Shell franchise , created by Masamune Shirow originally published as a manga by Kodansha ( in Japan ) and Dark Horse Comics in the U.S . It is available in two editions , the standard one and the Limited Edition , targeted at collectiors and fans of the series . For those of you that are not familiar with the franchise , it is set on a not-so-far future where mankind has embraced technologies to enhance the human beings in body and mind . Taking some characteristics from the cyberpunk genre of sci-fi , the series deal with the social repercursions of an information era , the status-quo of prosthetics and other physical enhancements and , in esence , with the concepts and philosophies of existence , self-awareness , and the true meaning of the human being concept in a context where the so called cyborgs , normally cybernitically enhanced human brains in artificial bodies exist too . These are one of the many reasons of why the Ghost in the Shell series are considered one of the most influential works for the sci-fi genre and the anime / manga context . However , each incarnation of the Ghost in the Shell franchise , has it's own story arch and approach . For example , the manga works are interesting but messy . The characters sometimes are deep , or sometimes are really light-hearted . Understanding them requires having some background of the cyberpunk theme ( William Gibson , Bruce Sterling ) , some knowledge of the manga-as-a-comic-book concept ( so you don't get lost within the strips ) , reading the many footnotes the author includes on them , and backreading . Solid State Society for instance , continues the plot and concepts showed in the anime series ( more about it in a moment ) . The anime feature movies ( Ghost in the shell , Ghost in the shell II : Innocence ) are based on the manga , however , they treat the themes on the manga in a totally cinematic and deep way , developing the characters far beyond the manga in some aspects and presenting the viewer with a full overview of the concept and main philosophy . For instance , the anime series , Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex , take some aspects from the manga , but it's main focus is to deal with how the characters interact with their world , and the existential and social problems this future has for humanity . In this case , Solid State Society , continues the concept and plot established by this series , having little to do with the movies or manga . Consider it as an long-play special episode that fits after the end of the second season of Stand Alone Complex . So , for those new to the series , I recommend you to get a glimpse of the other options to enter the world of Ghost in The Shell and its many differences , before buying it . Or get the Stand Alone Complex Season 1 and Season 2 for the matter . Otherwise , come on in ! Solid State Society , is a solid , complex , movie that doesn't waste its 120 minutes of running length . The plot is well constructed and the twists that compose it , far beyond of making it boring or difficult to understand , guide the viewer easily from start to finish . It flwalessly continues the events in Stand Alone Complex season 2 , and also opens a new saga in the series . Character visual design and overall graphic presentation are quite polished , mixing CG 2D and 3D images flwalessly and in a natural way for the viewer . Full 16 : 9 aspect ratio makes Solid State Society a nice visual experience on SD televisions and displays and also on HD with the use of a DVD Player or A / V Receiver with an integrated upscaler . The use witihin the movie of virtual lens , and depth-of-view also make for a nice real-life approach to express something in animation instead of live-action . Voice dubbing in japanese and english is quite well done , in fact , I really suggest having a first view in english ( if you're somewhat new to the series ) then watching it in japanese with subtitles . 5.1 surround ( Dolby ) sound is supported on both languages and overall sound mixing is of high quality , considering the problems that lip-syncing usually has . The musical score , made by Yoko Kano , a famous japanese musician and composer , deepens the dark enviroment of the movie itself and enhances the plot and characters . Synthethisers , beats and woman-sung chorus , mixed with powerful sound effects also provide a great sound experience . Overall it's a great production worth of watching not just once , but many times . The Limited Edition contains the movie disc , an extras disc with interviews , designs , and other bonus content , and a original soundtrack CD by Yoko Kano , all in a metal-like jewel box . However , I've rated it 4 stars since the soundtrack does not contains a printed playlist nor any additional info . Also it doesn't come with other value-adding bonus ( like postcards , some kind of book , plastic figures . . . ) aside from the noted above . For the hardcore fans and collectors I suggest you to wait for a re-edition or similar of it . Overall , the movie itself is a must for the fans of the series . It is also a must for sci-fi lovers or anime lovers , but make sure you get Stand Alone Complex ( S1 and S2 ) at least first ( also I suggest that to those who have just watched the two first movies or read the manga only ) .
016 4 Aside from some quirks in the translation , this is a very well done package . Tasteful , a whole DVD with bonus stuff you may never get around to watching , and to top it off , the soundtrack .
For those who've come to expect great things of the GiTS SAC franchise , you will not be disappointed with this flick . It's a non-stop roller coaster ride that will have you on the edge of your seat .
In my book , a must-have . Having Yoko Kanno do the score doesn't hurt either ! - _ ^ b
017 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
This standalone movie picks up the GITS series two years later . True Shirow GITS fans will see the final thread unwound from his graphic novel . The entire movie is only 100 minutes , I wish they would have put in more material and took it out to at least a full 2 hours . Otherwise it was very well put together .
019 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
The first disc that I ordered went to the title screen , but couldn't play the movie . The second disc played , but had temporary trouble with Ch 15 . When I watched it through on the second one , the story was great and I would love to buy this . I have contacted the companies that make this movie about the issue . I will buy at a later date when they fix the problem .
021 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
This is a fitting addition to the SAC series , which is my favorite anime series by the way !
What other reviewers say is accurate : great story and animation .
Please watch the SAC series ( both ) before watching this . This is NOT a continuation of the feature films , rather this is the conclusion of the SAC series . I believe that Shirow Masamune might be done with Ghost in the Shell : he has moved on to other projects , but he might just give us one or two more of these feature length fimls . It's like being given one of those big , swirly lollipops they sell at theme parks . . . Anime Candy BABY ! ! !
Pros : Seriously . . . . . . . . . ?
. . . . .
. . . . .
really ?
Cons : Nothing . . . this is pure eye candy !
Viewing Preference : English Dub ( Crispin Freeman is the best ! He is Togusa by the way )
022 4 This is a fitting addition to the SAC series , which is my favorite anime series by the way !
What other reviewers say is accurate : great story and animation .
Please watch the SAC series ( both ) before watching this . This is NOT a continuation of the feature films , rather this is the conclusion of the SAC series . I believe that Shirow Masamune might be done with Ghost in the Shell : he has moved on to other projects , but he might just give us one or two more of these feature length fimls . It's like being given one of those big , swirly lollipops they sell at theme parks . . . Anime Candy BABY ! ! !
Pros : Seriously . . . . . . . . . ?
. . . . .
. . . . .
really ?
Cons : Nothing . . . this is pure eye candy !
Viewing Preference : English Dub ( Crispin Freeman is the best ! He is Togusa by the way )
023 4 If you liked the first season of Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex , then you'll love the second season . Its more of the mix of action , intrigue and character driven episodes set in technology drenched universe that continue to make this series shine above all others . If you're a fan of cyberpunk , or of anime , you owe it to yourself to buy this series , otherwise you're missing out .
025 4 This GITS movie accomplished everything I hoped it would . The continuity between the television series and the movie is all there , complete with a beefed up budget for improved animation and action .
I have always wondered how prophetic the GITS universe is given our changing times , and this movie evokes those same kinds of questions . In an increasingly wireless society , what are the perils of human beings becoming consciousness-floating entities of the Net ? With greater freedom and power comes the freedom to die or become maimed in unimaginable ways by new evils .
Seeing this film for the first time there's no way you will understand or catch everything ; that's a strength , though , not a weakness . This isn't a simple throw-away-after-one-view movie . It has a philosophical angle lurking in the background , making you think . By lurking in the background , I mean that this aspect isn't in your face or preachy ( as some anime has a tendency to be ) .
Ghost in the Shell is unique in the anime universe as far as I know . Too much anime suffers from a lack of seamless pacing , realistic animation , or well-developed characters in a richly complex world . I have enjoyed other anime series to be sure ( Gasaraki , Samurai Champloo , RahXephon , X , etc . ) , however none of these has the same philosophical possibilities or intriguing futuristic vision . Whereas some anime can seem like entertainment escapism , GITS occasionally causes me to hit upon formerly undiscovered nuances about human nature or the nature of technology itself - the challenges technology presents to a society and the opportunities it creates for alienation , exploitation , and human consciousness . I highly recommend anything in the Ghost in the Shell universe . It will hack into your psyche . . . and I mean that in a good way .
026 4 2nd Gig is a great follow on to the original Stand Alone Complex . Great animation and a good plot draw you into the series . A good example of the Cyberpunk genre , with both a philosophical and action based plot .
Seven discs come in a nice box ( much nicer than the box my Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig box ) . Good subtitles and great dubbing as well .
027 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
I'd have to agree with others who have described this movie as more of an extended television episode . It's not got the same impact as the previous movies , but it's still quite good . Good story , familiar characters , I enjoyed it !
029 4 For any Ghost in the Shell fan , this is a must see , period . It really is pretty good . I don't like people giving things away so I won't either . Now I know it has a movie time frame already but I thought they could have gone longer even still . . . Not to say the ending seemed rushed but it downgraded the movie for me from 5 stars to 4 . It Certainly wasn't the last Ghost in the Shell : 2nd Gig DVD ( s ) . Those had more of a Lord of the Rings type of time frame / feel since the episodes were all interconnected . Also it seemed depressing to think , this was or could be the last Ghost in the Shell to come out . . . Hopefully not . They did set it up for another season / movie if they want to but no word from Japan as of yet that I know of . . . The DVD extras explain how they made the movie and how for the first time ever a major automobile manufacturer ( Nissan / Infiniti ) allowed prototypes to be put into an anime . That in turn created a large buzz in Japan when the movie came out so Nissan could show off the cars in real life . Being the Nissan Sport Concept & Infiniti Kuraza ( 2006 ) .
030 4 Those who have been following the Ghost in the Shell film and TV adaptations know that Ghost in the Shell - Solid State Society follows the Stand Alone Complex narrative arc . Unlike the two previous films ( which belonged to an arc of their own ) , Solid State Society , like the aforementioned television series , is extremely fast-paced , heavy in dialogue , and complex in plot .
For the average viewer , Solid State Society might pose far too much of a puzzle to be enjoyable : who is this character ? why does he matter ? what in the world is going on here ? who is this Puppeteer everyone keeps talking about ?
But for the GiTS fan , especially a Stand Alone Complex fan , this film is extraordinary . Picture , if you will , taking 4 full episodes of GiTS : SAC , giving them one solid plot with a beginning , middle , and end , and increasing the production value tenfold . That's what this film is , essentially : like the Star Trek movies , it's not really much different than the series , but it looks , feels , and sounds far better than any individual episode .
LIMITED EDITION NOTES :
The Limited edition comes with a DTS audio track as well as the usual 5.1 track . Definitely excellent sound if you have the audio equipment . The second DVD includes a ridiculous number of extras , most of which I haven't bothered to watch . But the great thing about the Limited Edition is the included Soundtrack CD . It's very J-Pop / Techno / Fusion / Whatever , but it has certainly grown on me ( and has a reserved spot in my car's CD set ) .
FINAL WORD :
If you like the Stand Alone Complex series , and have watched a majority of it , you ought to see this film . And if you're a fan of the show's music , this particular edition of the movie is by far worth the extra cost .
033 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
the movie was great , a lot less confusing than the others , worked much more like the series .
035 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
This was a great movie . If you Like Ghost in the Shell I would recommend this movie . Ordered it right from Amazon and it came in a few days .
037 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
This is another classical Ghost in the shell show . Highly recommended to all you Shell Geeks , ( Being one myself ) .
Section 9 is under attack and only the major can sort it all out .
Cheers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shane
038 4 This is another classical Ghost in the shell show . Highly recommended to all you Shell Geeks , ( Being one myself ) .
Section 9 is under attack and only the major can sort it all out .
Cheers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shane
040 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
The film GHOST IN THE SHELL : SOLID STATE SOCIETY Is worth every dime I payed for it.This film does not leave the viewer in a lurch , on this cyberpunk thrill ride there is no breaks , or turn signals.Ladies and gentlemen if you are hunting for a serious film that gives you action , drama , suspence , and indeed that unique blend of humor that all of us G.I.T.S . fans tend to enjoy , well you've come to the right place.The plot is really well laid out directly from the start.It would be unkind of me to reveal anymore of the film , as I do not want to give any of it away , but will leave you with this , the major and Batau as always go full blast into all they do , and the humor between those 2 is as fast as the bullets they fire .
Have a great day ladies and gentlemen , and regards to Team Amazon.Thanks for getting my order out for G.I.T.S-SSS it arrived rather quickly , much to my delight and extreme satisfaction .
Bruce Martino
042 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
I liked solid state society , and I think that if you like the stand alone complex series , you will like solid state society as well . It is more like the 2nd gig than the original stand alone complex series . The quality is great . It is rather convoluded though , as ghost in the shell can be at times , but I would say its no more complex than 2nd gig was , and for the most part , it is an interesting cyberpunk action movie . I strongly recommend getting the soundtrack . It comes with the steel book edition ( only $1 more on amazon when I bought it ) . Yoko Kanno's music is absolutely fantastic . This soundtrack is much more in the classical genre , but there are also some good techno / pop tracks .
044 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
This animated series puts most live action drama films & TV series to shame . The animation is excellent ; the stories are even better . Every episode is an absolute gem , much like a little techno-thriller feature film .
It's a real pity cyberpunk fiction never really made much impact in the film world - but this series makes it all work .
Apparently set in a world where Motoko Kusanagi never met the Puppet Master , this series involves complex political intrigue , cyber-crimes , people being hacked as one would hack a computer nowadays , etc .
If you even remotely liked the Ghost in The Shell feature film , check this out if you get the chance .
045 4 This animated series puts most live action drama films & TV series to shame . The animation is excellent ; the stories are even better . Every episode is an absolute gem , much like a little techno-thriller feature film .
It's a real pity cyberpunk fiction never really made much impact in the film world - but this series makes it all work .
Apparently set in a world where Motoko Kusanagi never met the Puppet Master , this series involves complex political intrigue , cyber-crimes , people being hacked as one would hack a computer nowadays , etc .
If you even remotely liked the Ghost in The Shell feature film , check this out if you get the chance .
049 4 If you're looking for a discussion about the content , please look elsewhere . I greatly enjoyed this series and the first S.A.C . series , much more so than the first movie . The first season , BTW , takes a lot from the manga source material , while the main story of this series is something completely new , I believe .
Anyway , my copy of the box set has the DTS logo on the box of the first four DVDs . I do not believe that they have a DTS audio track ( only a Dolby Digital ) . ( I have only checked disc 1 so far . ) From what I have seen , the limited edition versions of the individual disc releases did have versions with DTS . The box that contains all the individual dvd boxes does not have a DTS logo , so it's only four of the inside cases that are misleading .
Regardless , this set is still worth your money if you're interested in the DVD version . At Anime Expo 2008 , Bandai announced that rereleases would be forthcoming in Blu-Ray format . ( This isn't entirely unexpected , 2nd Gig was broadcast in HD on one of the satellite-based networks , I think . )
050 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
If you've seen the series you will love this sequel . A whole new mystery , slightly different character relations ( considering what happened at the end of the series ) . The story goes in a different direction than you may expect at any point ! Plot twists make this a must have for any Ghost in the Shell fan !
051 4 If you've seen the series you will love this sequel . A whole new mystery , slightly different character relations ( considering what happened at the end of the series ) . The story goes in a different direction than you may expect at any point ! Plot twists make this a must have for any Ghost in the Shell fan !
052 4 I love Ghost In The Shell and the DVD's are very hard to find for a good price . This box set has awesome casing and the episodes are great .
053 4 To be clear , this review is about the second series of Ghost in the Shell S.A.C - the 2nd Gig .
First off , this is quite a franchise , with three movies and two full series out , with no end in sight . Furthermore , the quality has held quite well , and IMHO , has improved in the television series with 2nd Gig . I don't watch a lot of anime myself because most of it is downright goofy - - but this is quite the exception - it is comparable to X-files in the States , except you switch the topic matter from extraterrestrials to the impact of technology on society . Personally I find it to be much more engaging than the X-Files , the hype of which I don't understand .
Compared to the first series , the 2nd Gig has definitely shown more maturity - the first series IMHO was rather exhibitionist , with many fragmented episodes that barely hung together . The Laughing man in the first series was more like an incidental case , whereas the central plot concepts involving Gouda and the Particularist Eleven are much more integrated into the 2nd Gig for a cleaner , more focused , and ultimately more rewarding viewing experience . I feel lucky that I was able to watch the entire series in short order - I would have pulled my hair out if I had to wait seven days in between each 20 minute episode .
Without giving away plot details , I'll simply describe some general topics involved in this series : domestic and international politics , conspiracy theory on a world scale , technology and societal change , heroes and their impact on society , AI , Japanese / American perceptions and relations , and of course , close friendships . There are many more themes , but I picked these out because when you compare them to your typical vampire-comedy anime , you begin to see where GITS is not at all your typical anime experience . It definitely requires a sober mind .
Some people will miss the freer atmosphere that pervaded the first series , but I personally enjoyed how deep the plot got in the second , and how it dared to delve into some pretty heavy concepts , especially that of a redeeming hero . Even the digressions all fit together into the greater plot , and much like how Gouda's planning was admitted to be genius even by Section 9 , the planning that went into this 26 - episode script proves to be equally brilliant .
Some warnings , the first series was prone to have entire episodes dedicated to dialogue in order to concentrate on the series ' musings about how technological change affects society - the 2nd Gig manages it a bit better , but you will still have 10 minute walls of dialogue interspersed throughout . Also , the 2nd Gig concentrates much more on politics than cyber-crime , which may turn off some viewers . Do not fear - all of this is more than balanced by action sequences that would fit well on cinema screens , to say nothing about your humble television .
Bottom line - this series grew on me . The more I watched it , the more I got sucked into it . The fact that it begins and ends with spectacular action sequences certainly helped quite a bit . Add a complex and engaging plot , and you have the recipe for a winner .
056 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
I bought this box set after a few months of getting the first season as a gift the first thing I truly appreciated was the box was not a flimsy paper one like the first season box was it was a more hardened cardboard one with a magnetic flap to close and open the box the GITS logo on the flap . To those fans of the series I say even if the price is step it is worth it the video is in widescreen format with 5.1 English audio and 5.1 Japanese audio the extras for the most part are trailers and some commentaries . The series follows up after the first seasons finale with Section 9 trying to be reinstated back into work and their first job will be to rescue hostages from a group of fanatics calling themselves the INDIVIDUAL 11 this group of course and what the represent will become part of the more bigger issue in the series storyline and you will also
have in the series SECTION 9 team dealing with their own feelings of loyalty , morality , trust , and their oaths to serve their nation . Most of the original cast is back for the series ( Mary Elizabeth MCGLYNN as Motoko Kusanagi , Richard EPCAR as Batou , Crispin FREEMAN as Togusa , Dave WITTENBERG
as Saito , Dean WEIN as Bouma , Michael MCCARTY as Ishikawa , Robert BUCHHOLZ as Pazu , and William FREDERICK as Daisuke Aramaki . ) The cgi and soundtrack were great I would also advise people to get the Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex : Solid State Society dvd as this will answer what happens with Motoko after the ending of season 2 .
057 4 I bought this box set after a few months of getting the first season as a gift the first thing I truly appreciated was the box was not a flimsy paper one like the first season box was it was a more hardened cardboard one with a magnetic flap to close and open the box the GITS logo on the flap . To those fans of the series I say even if the price is step it is worth it the video is in widescreen format with 5.1 English audio and 5.1 Japanese audio the extras for the most part are trailers and some commentaries . The series follows up after the first seasons finale with Section 9 trying to be reinstated back into work and their first job will be to rescue hostages from a group of fanatics calling themselves the INDIVIDUAL 11 this group of course and what the represent will become part of the more bigger issue in the series storyline and you will also
have in the series SECTION 9 team dealing with their own feelings of loyalty , morality , trust , and their oaths to serve their nation . Most of the original cast is back for the series ( Mary Elizabeth MCGLYNN as Motoko Kusanagi , Richard EPCAR as Batou , Crispin FREEMAN as Togusa , Dave WITTENBERG
as Saito , Dean WEIN as Bouma , Michael MCCARTY as Ishikawa , Robert BUCHHOLZ as Pazu , and William FREDERICK as Daisuke Aramaki . ) The cgi and soundtrack were great I would also advise people to get the Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex : Solid State Society dvd as this will answer what happens with Motoko after the ending of season 2 .
058 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
A definite must have for any ghost in the shell fan . 2nd gig seems to be darker , more serious and more action packed than the original series . Gives more background information on the different team members as well , which i always found interesting .
064 4 Yet another entry in the acclaimed franchise . This one is surprisingly well crafted . Well paced , with good music , animations and political implications tied to Japanese domestic issues - - just as expected from Ghost in the Shell . Considering the time limit , all characters get a fair share of diologue ( again smooth and sophisticated ) and development . There are some changes that some characters go through but I won't spoil specifics . The story is engaging and kept me in suspense . Action is sparse but Ghost in the Shell isn't about explosive Hollywood acion ; rather , it draws it from imminent political danger , intensive diologue and suspensful story . I should mention that I only watch Japanese original versions of anime , not English dubbed , so I don't know how appealing those are .
065 4 It was a pretty good movie . If you dont know this is a movie to kind of cap the Stand Alone Complex series . I am a huge fane of GitS and like thi movie thouroughly . In my opinion though the story did not warrant a movie , as it doesnt come close to the other two GitS movies both visually and in story . Also , the story seemed a little off to me , I dont know if it was intentional given the plot line ( dont want to spoil it for you ) .
Pretty good overall though .
068 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
I've been a fan of Ghost in the Shell and all it's iterations since I saw the first movie in the early 90s . . . it is a science fiction phenomena , and a sounding board for discussions of the heady topics of transhumanism , cyberization , and the information society .
But as entertainment , is it for everyone ? Well , probably not . And having watched this latest entry I can't see someone who had never seen any of it's pre-cursors following this labyrinthine plot for very long without getting irritated and switching it off . If you're not a fan of anime , this movie certainly won't sway you like a Miyazaki movie might .
But to it's credit : thoughtful , dense science fiction , focused on a very real social dilemma of Japan ( the growth of state-hospitalized elederly against a declining birthrate / workforce ) , some of the finest computer enhanced ( the lighting and color schemes are brilliant ) animation to date , excellent music by Yoko Kanno ( as usual ) and wonderful english voice acting . If you're collecting the series , come and get it ! It's top-notch .
If you've never seen it ? Well , I'd rent it , and if you like it , there's an excellent tv show I'd like to recommend . . . ; )
069 4 I've been a fan of Ghost in the Shell and all it's iterations since I saw the first movie in the early 90s . . . it is a science fiction phenomena , and a sounding board for discussions of the heady topics of transhumanism , cyberization , and the information society .
But as entertainment , is it for everyone ? Well , probably not . And having watched this latest entry I can't see someone who had never seen any of it's pre-cursors following this labyrinthine plot for very long without getting irritated and switching it off . If you're not a fan of anime , this movie certainly won't sway you like a Miyazaki movie might .
But to it's credit : thoughtful , dense science fiction , focused on a very real social dilemma of Japan ( the growth of state-hospitalized elederly against a declining birthrate / workforce ) , some of the finest computer enhanced ( the lighting and color schemes are brilliant ) animation to date , excellent music by Yoko Kanno ( as usual ) and wonderful english voice acting . If you're collecting the series , come and get it ! It's top-notch .
If you've never seen it ? Well , I'd rent it , and if you like it , there's an excellent tv show I'd like to recommend . . . ; )
070 4 The plot-heavy story is back for one last , amazing story that pits us right in the middle of something terrible . Togusa is the new leader replacing the Major , after she decided to go off mysteriously . Batou is feeling estranged , and there are tons of new recruits for the infamous Section 9 . A series of suicides leads Togusa and crew to the Puppeteer , an untracable entity with no motive at the time . The story gets quite more dramatic as problems seem to arise and stagger Section 9 to the point of having no leads for the Puppeteer problem . The story goes on forth like this and the last 40 minutes in probably the most intuitive and thought out since the first Ghost in the Shell movie came out . Although the first 2 movies and this have two varying storylines . This movie has felt like a true to life movie of Ghost in the Shell . All the voice actors have come back to give us the characters we have come to love . The animation is the same as the show was , although I call this a movie others could beg to differ and call it a long episode . All in all if you like Ghost in the Shell or anything that might have you guessing throughout an entire movie this is perfect for you .
073 4 My copy freezes at 07 seconds into Chapter 15 then jumps to 46 seconds later . If one watches the timer , one will see it did more then freeze . After it freezes you can back up to 8 seconds into Chapter 15 and continue . A few small things do happen in the during the jump . We checked out 4 copies and all were bad .
As for the movie , I am a big fan of Ghost in a Shell and love them all . And as for one reviewer , it is dubbed into English by them same crew .
074 4 This series just keeps getting better . Unlike the abysmal Cowboy Bebop movie that killed the franchise , Ghost in the Shell in all it's incarnations are well-thought out , engaging , topical , and state-of-the-art animation . Solid State Society is no different . It's all the little things that matter to the animation team from deep character development to the smallest of drawn detail .
Although I've only seen the Japanese DVD version , I assume the usual cast of American voice actors will be along for the State-side release ( and in a way , I prefer them . . . the Japanese Motoko , while I'm told sounds like a traditional sexy mama voice is pretty darn husky ) , so the production value should be spot on .
Don't listen to that guy from San Francisco . I love the Tachikomas . If fact I bought the model and put one together myself . It's sitting here on my desk keeping my Talosian figurine company . My wife has the big plush version sitting on her desk as well . Hee Hee .
075 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
First off , if you aren't familiar with Ghost in the Shell : S.A.C . , let me tell you that it is my absolute favorite anime . It's a great mix of action and political intrigue that takes place in a surprisingly believable future world . But if you're considering buying the boxed set , you probably already know about the show .
With that in mind , let me talk about the packaging for this box . If you bought the boxed set for the 1st season , you remember that it was just all 7 individual DVDs crammed into a flimsy cardboard box . The 2nd Gig set is similar , but with a much sturdier and more useful box . It's made of thick cardboard with cool graphics on the side , and the lid is magnetically attached . Inside are all 7 DVDs from this season , individually wrapped .
So there you have it . If you're considering buying this , GO FOR IT !
076 4 First off , if you aren't familiar with Ghost in the Shell : S.A.C . , let me tell you that it is my absolute favorite anime . It's a great mix of action and political intrigue that takes place in a surprisingly believable future world . But if you're considering buying the boxed set , you probably already know about the show .
With that in mind , let me talk about the packaging for this box . If you bought the boxed set for the 1st season , you remember that it was just all 7 individual DVDs crammed into a flimsy cardboard box . The 2nd Gig set is similar , but with a much sturdier and more useful box . It's made of thick cardboard with cool graphics on the side , and the lid is magnetically attached . Inside are all 7 DVDs from this season , individually wrapped .
So there you have it . If you're considering buying this , GO FOR IT !
077 4 As the Ghost In The Shell : Stand Alone Complex TV series achieved a level of popularity not seen in the franchise since the original GITS anime , a movie followup to the series was a no-brainer . Like some films that act as conclusions to an anime TV series like Fullmetal Alchemist , Ghost Sweeper Mikami , and Nadesico , this brings the entire original cast back together for one last ride .
About two years after the second season of the series ( 2nd Gig ) , Matoko has left Section 9 to go work on her own . Since then , Togusa has stopped bleaching his hair and become field commander , while Batou is off being picky about which cases he takes . A foreign colonel kills himself on Togusa's watch for fear of a master hacker called the Puppeteer . The colonel's father is an exiled aging dictator under Japanese asylum , who is soon found to be dead by a micromachine virus . Batou goes to arrest someone connected to the virus , but runs into Matoko . He keeps this a secret from the other Section 9 members because he thinks she might actually be the Puppeteer . The investivagation leads into something called the Solid State Society , which is a secret government orginization running under a project titled Noble Rot . where abandonned or orphened children are left to take care of eldery citizens with no one left to leave their inheritence to . The Solid State was actually brainwashing these children and grooming them to be a docile next generation , with the wealth and power coming from their foster parents . They're also responsible for kidnapping thousands of children from abused families . The true Puppeteer turns out to be an individual A.I . that emerged from the collected consciousness of all the puppet personas that Matoka herself used through prosthetic bodies she controlled over the last few years . The children are then sent back to their families , and Matoko rejoins Section 9 .
Solid State Society was a fine continuation of Stand Alone Complex , it however was a little lacking in the kind of production seen in a theatrical release . The quality was too similar to the that of the TV show , and when you're taking an animated series and turning it into a movie , it has to be a better than the original format . Considering how realistic some of the shots in GITS : Innocence and the recent GITS 2.0 reproduction , SSS should've been more polished than it was . The story fits well together , but anyone who hasn't seen the original SAC series will be pretty lost on some of the nuiances of the plot ( like what the hell happened to the Tachikomas ! ) . Unless there's going to be anything more from the GITS anime world in the next few years , this was a fitting finale to Shirow's cyberpunk saga .
081 4 This review is from :
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C . - 2nd Gig ( Complete Collection ) ( DVD )
For people who purchased the S.A.C . first box set you'll be really happy with this one . The box is - much - sturdier and it feels like you're getting a lot more for your money ( as opposed to the first box set where none of the DVDs really seemed to match in packaging and the box to it seemed like something someone just threw together ) .
2nd GIG is fantastic and a lot of fun , it takes a little while to ramp up but one of my favorite features of it is that a number of the non-major characters like Paz and Saito have their own episodes about their backgrounds .
083 4 My copy freezes at 07 seconds into Chapter 15 then jumps to 46 seconds later . If one watches the timer , one will see it did more then freeze . After it freezes you can back up to 8 seconds into Chapter 15 and continue . A few small things do happen in the during the jump . We checked out 4 copies and all were bad . My copy is NOT the Limited edition version but has the same flaw . I don't know if the other reviewer posted under the wrong version or both versions has the same flaw .
As for the movie , I am a big fan of Ghost in a Shell and love them all . And as for one reviewer's questions , it is dubbed into English by them same crew .
085 4 i saw this movie in japanese with english subtitles at some website . The year is 2034 , and the face of terrorism has changed . No longer restricted to the limits of the physical world , the war on terror has exploded onto the net . In an attempt to confront this new threat , an elite counter-terrorism and anti-crime unit was formed : Public Security Section 9 .
Two years have passed since the team's commander , Major Motoko Kusanagi , resigned from her post . After a rash of mysterious suicides , Section 9 is forced to confront the Puppeteer , a dangerous hacker with unsurpassed skills .
As their investigation of this terrorist threat takes them deeper into the bowels of a potential government conspiracy , Section 9 once again crosses paths with the Major , but is her sudden reappearance more than a coincidence , or is she somehow connected to the Puppeteer ?
No one is above suspicion in this action-packed continuation of Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex saga !
for more information go to [ . . . ] just copy and paste
089 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
. . . Major Motoko Kusanagi has resigned from her post and Section 9 has been forced to confront a dangerous hacker called the Puppeteer after tracing a series of suicides to this terrorist . As they dive deeper into what may be a government conspiracy they start to cross paths with the Major . Is this an accident or is she working for the wrong side ? Get ready to become paranoid in this action-packed movie based on the Stand Alone Complex series . Extras include interviews with some of the English voice actors and storyboard subtitles .
093 4 Ghost in the Shell's success has always been a bit of a fluke , as it was to be Appleseed that was Shirow's magnum opus . I really wanted to like Solid State Society , I really did , but just found it to be very lacking .
The first season of Stand Alone was amazing , as it managed to capture some of the feel of the comic : counter terrorist ops fighting terrorists and drinkin a cold one afterwards . Second season was passable , grasping at straws to develop characters meant to be nothing more than a talking head or plot device , plus the inclusion of a Mary Sue villain .
Still , I'd hoped that all the money that the GitS property has made studio IG over the years could've produced something better than what was essentially an almost two hour episode of Stand Alone with at most three minutes of amazing action animation .
Had they simply retold the classic Puppet Master story from the comic using the Stand Alone characters , it could've been a much better movie . The further GitS breaks from the original source material ( specifically the original comic run ) , generally the weaker it becomes . I can't help but think that by borrowing more heavily from Man Machine Interface ( particularly the whole rogue Motoko and Motoko's split consciousness bit ) , Solid State Society lost the potential to be an action packed thriller to wrap up the series in a hail of gun-fire and car chases . It all felt rather unsatisfying .
After the unyieldingly convoluted , pandering , and nearly unreadable debacle that was Man Machine Interface , I hope , as a Shirow fan , that the Ghost in the Shell franchise can be laid to rest with some of its dignity in tact ; a solemn procession that should not end with a 21 gun salute , but rather a crudely drawn Batou going colon d while firing a miniature shoulder mounted rocket into the air .
094 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( DVD )
I might rate it higher if I got to watch it . It began skipping at 10 minutes in on my main DVD player . While it didn't skip at 10 mins on another player , it did have the Ch15 skip ( an earlier reviewer had mentioned ) on all my players . I am currently in the process of getting a replacement through Amazon , hopefully it won't have the errors .
Edit : There was a recall of the first pressing of this disc . The replacement was fine , and the movie was good . Not as good as the original , and perhaps not as good as SAC ( but that was a series ) , but still pretty good ( on par with 2nd Gig ) .
095 4 I might rate it higher if I got to watch it . It began skipping at 10 minutes in on my main DVD player . While it didn't skip at 10 mins on another player , it did have the Ch15 skip ( an earlier reviewer had mentioned ) on all my players . I am currently in the process of getting a replacement through Amazon , hopefully it won't have the errors .
Edit : There was a recall of the first pressing of this disc . The replacement was fine , and the movie was good . Not as good as the original , and perhaps not as good as SAC ( but that was a series ) , but still pretty good ( on par with 2nd Gig ) .
096 4 This review is from :
Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society ( Limited Edition Steelbook ) ( DVD )
I keep hearing that GITS is one of the best , deepest , and most thought provoking animes of all time , and everytime I hear it , I keep wondering why .
The series does have its good points , but I've seen both this movie and the 2nd Gig and they both feel like something is missing .
Just what makes GITS so appealing anyway ? Is it good as a military series ? Is it he Action ? The characters ? The themes and philosophical points behind it ?
If that's what you're looking for , you should check out Full Metal Panic , especially The Second Raid ; It will SMOKE Ghost in the Shell in all the aspects mentioned above , but most notably in the characters department - the characters from Full Metal Panic actually have charisma .
People keep talking about the depth and philosophical meaning behind Ghost in the Shell , but what does Solid State Society have to offer in these aspects ? Mainly , it brings up the role that the elderly play in society , as well as the problem of child abuse . . . Okay .
Sounds more like political and social than philosophical .
That is precisely where I think Ghost in the Shell fails : It's supposed to be a military anime , but it doesn't feel like one .
097 4 I keep hearing that GITS is one of the best , deepest , and most thought provoking animes of all time , and everytime I hear it , I keep wondering why .
The series does have its good points , but I've seen both this movie and the 2nd Gig and they both feel like something is missing .
Just what makes GITS so appealing anyway ? Is it good as a military series ? Is it he Action ? The characters ? The themes and philosophical points behind it ?
If that's what you're looking for , you should check out Full Metal Panic , especially The Second Raid ; It will SMOKE Ghost in the Shell in all the aspects mentioned above , but most notably in the characters department - the characters from Full Metal Panic actually have charisma .
People keep talking about the depth and philosophical meaning behind Ghost in the Shell , but what does Solid State Society have to offer in these aspects ? Mainly , it brings up the role that the elderly play in society , as well as the problem of child abuse . . . Okay .
Sounds more like political and social than philosophical .
That is precisely where I think Ghost in the Shell fails : It's supposed to be a military anime , but it doesn't feel like one .
