Ghost In The Shell 2.0 (Manga/Anchor Bay Blu-ray)

Picture: A- Sound: A- Extras: B Film: A

NOTE: Since this review, Anchor Bay has issued the original film on Blu-ray, which we covered at this link:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/13041/Ghost+In+The+Shell:+25th+Anniversary+Edition

In the future, the difference between man and machine is a paper thin margin. With increasing technologies mankind has is made up of humans, cyborgs, and computer AI. Crimes are no longer just physical crimes, but cyber crimes of illegal data, tech, and brain hacking or known as 'ghost hacking'... However, what stands in their way is Major Motoko Kusanagi and her crack TAC team from Section 9, an elite but unofficial strike team to combat those who exploit the human/machine interface to reprogram the human mind to commit crimes. But when the cyber trail finally leads to them to the greatest hacker of all time the "Puppet Master", there is more going on than just hacking. What is the truth behind this Puppet Master? As the Major gets closer to the truth, so does the danger and the truth might change everything, including the answer to the Major's question, "Do cyborgs steal souls or just a programmed machine?"

One of the earlier cyberpunk animes, this is an awesome movie. With futuristic art, ideas, and tech it makes the viewers really believe it might be possible one day. Not only is it creative, but it challenges the ideas of the human soul, that if humans become cyborgs can they be considered still human? Can something not born of human have a ghost? The film also recreates a beautiful vista of a futuristic Hong Kong-like cyber-city, in Version 2.0 not only is it beautiful to watch, but the action is mind-blowing and realistic.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image can show cel dust from the original animation, then you get the new CG animation, which is cleaner but sometimes not as interesting. The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 6.1 mix has its moments, but the audio also shows its age.

The Ghost in the Shell manga released in 1989, the original animation was release in 1995, now comes back in Blu-ray. Usually I would consider redos not as great as the original, but this Version 2.0 not only done with digital clarity but with redone 3-D CGI scenes of both the city and the Major, new voice recordings from the original cast and a brand new score as well. Definitely an up-grade in every sense of the word (pun intended), this film is an anime milestone in the animation world. Special features include the remaking of Version 2.0, commentary from the director and face to face interviews. I definitely recommend this for anyone who liked the original Ghost in the Shell, robots, or just cyberpunk, a great addition to a great series.

For more Anime on Blu-ray, try these links:

Akira

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/9078/Akira+(1988/Japan/Animated/Honneam

Paprika

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6305/Paprika+(2006/Blu-ray/Anim%E9+feat

Tekkonkinkreet

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6054/Tekkonkinkreet+(Blu-ray)

- Ricky Chiang