Ghost In The Shell - Stand Alone Complex - Vol. 1 [1995] (1996)
Genre Anime
Studio Manga Entertainment
Movie Release Date 29/03/1996
Country USA
Language English
Audience Rating Suitable for 12 years and over
Running Time 140 mins
Format DVD
Color Color
Cast
Atsuko Tanaka
Akio Ôtsuka
Tamio Ôki
Iemasa Kayumi
Kôichi Yamadera
Crew
Director Mamoru Oshii
Plot
The skilful blending of drawn animation and computer-generated imagery excited anime fans when this science fiction mystery was released in 1995: many enthusiasts believe Ghost suggests what the future of anime will be, at least in the short term. The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when an unnamed government uses lifelike cyborgs or "enhanced" humans for undercover work. One of the key cyborgs is The Major, Motoko Kusanagi, who resembles a cross between The Terminator and a Playboy centrefold. She finds herself caught up in a tangled web of espionage and counterespionage as she searches for the mysterious superhacker known as "The Puppet Master."

Mamoru Oshii directs with a staccato rhythm, alternating sequences of rapid-fire action (car chases, gun battles, explosions) with static dialogue scenes that allow the characters to sort out the vaguely mystical and rather convoluted plot. Kusanagi's final quote from I Corinthians suggests that electronic evolution may compliment and eventually supplant organic evolution. The minor nudity, profanity, and considerable violence would earn Ghost in the Shell at least a PG rating. --Charles Solomon

Personal Details
My Rating 0
Seen It Yes
Index 56
Collection Status In Collection
Purchase Price £19.99
Links Amazon UK
Edition Details
Distributor Manga Entertainment
Barcode 5022366203043
Region 2
Release Date 27/09/2004
No. of Disks/Tapes 1