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I always feel a bit sorry for Manga Entertainment when it comes to Blu-Ray. They've supported the medium more than any other UK distributor, but they've also had far more grief over it than anyone else. Their decisions to cancel the Blu-Ray runs of X'AMD, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Casshern Sins after just one or two volumes saw them vilified by an anime-viewing public that never supported the releases enough to make them financially viable, but Manga have persevered and continue to release titles on Blu-Ray. The latest is a re-issue of the third Ghost in the Shell film - Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society. The film is set two years after the end of
the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd
Gig anime series, and rejoins a Section 9 still trying to adjust following
Major Motoko Kusanagi's departure. With Batou still hung up on her leaving
Togusa has taken command of the team, and now juggles his public security duties
with a happy home life. However, the latest investigation could change all
that as Section 9 becomes embroiled in a mysterious spate of suicides by former
leaders of the exiled Siak Republic. Section 9 believe they are planning a
terrorist attack but are unable to explain the series of suicides, until the
most recent victim warns of the coming of 'The Puppeteer'. This Puppeteer
appears to be a top level hacker who Section 9 believe is behind the suicides
and a string of child kidnappings, but the only person Section 9 know with this
level of ability is the missing Motoko Kusanagi. Is Kusanagi really
responsible? And if so what is she planning? The situation becomes
even more unclear when Batou receives a warning to stay away from the Solid
State Society, and organisation he had previously never heard of. Who are
the Solid State Society, and why are children being kidnapped? Togusa and
Batou believe the answers may lie with Kusanagi, but how can they track down a
highly skilled hacker when she doesn't want to be found? |
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I've sometimes not seen the point of anime on Blu-Ray. Apart from the audio improvements high definition doesn't always add as much to traditionally animated films unless they have very detailed artwork or utilise CGI heavily. Titles like Bleach or K-ON! which have quite simple visuals may look better, but wouldn't benefit to the same degree as highly detailed films like Spirited Away or Mardock Scramble. However, if ever an anime series was built for high definition, it's Ghost in the Shell. As you would expect Solid State |
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Society looks and sounds fantastic on Blu-Ray, with pin-sharp visuals really bringing the film to life despite its muted colour palette which sees many scenes happen at night or on starkly overcast days. The CG animation and occasional CGI visuals are enhanced throughout, and Yoko Kanno's excellent soundtrack has never sounded better. There are better looking anime films out there - the recent Mardock Scramble: 1st Compression for example, and even the second Ghost in the Shell film Innocence - but it's still hard to fault. However, despite all of the stunning
visuals and sound, Ghost in the Shell's strength has always lain
in its story, and this film is no exception. Taking the action on
two years from the end of the last anime series is a brave move, and one
that's rarely used. Most films based on anime series will set
their plot as a side story or a retelling of major events a particular
story arc, but Solid State Society looks to the future and brings
together an embittered Batou with a Togusa burdened with responsibility.
Kusanagi remains out of reach for both of them and whilst Batou wrestles
with trying to work out why she left, Togusa struggles to fill her
shoes. The characterisation is excellent, and it often seems like
we learn more about Togusa in particular during this film than we did in
either the previous ones or the TV series. The story is complex
but intriguing, going from a relatively straightforward mission to track
down a potential terrorist to a grand plot involving kidnapping,
enforced suicide, corrupt politicians and Batou's personal mission to
bring Kusanagi back to the fold. There's plenty of drama and
action as plots and counterplots fly back and forth and the main story
twists this way and that, and the whole thing is underpinned by some
fantastic science fiction ideas. |
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Is the story a bit too complex and convoluted? Maybe. As is often the case with Ghost in the Shell this is one you have to really concentrate on just to keep up with the story, and it does help if you have seen Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig. The film can be enjoyed without seeing the series but there's a lot of setting, background and characterisation that the film expects you to know, and the experience is improved if you do. There are times when the story and dialogue is in danger of retreating up it's own backside as philosophy is quoted and |
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some difficult concepts are espoused, but it's nowhere as severe as in Mamoru Oshii's original Ghost in the Shell films. However, it also lacks the jaw-dropping CG of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence or the hugely detailed artwork of the original Ghost in the Shell film, that's not to say it doesn't look fantastic but it does show that it doesn't have the budget that the preceding films enjoyed. Nevertheless, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society is a fantastic film and a fantastic Blu-Ray. It's a complex but rewarding title that demands concentration but includes plenty of action to balance out the drama. There are some truly tense moments, particularly a fantastic scene where Togusa faces a truly horrific choice, and the story challenges your expectations at every turn. Yes, it can be a bit too clever for its own good at times and can be hard to keep up with, but the central premise is intriguing and superbly executed with some wonderful sci-fi touches. Blu-Ray only serves to enhance the film to even greater heights, clarifying the sometimes dark visuals and really bringing Yoko Kanno's superb soundtrack to life. Although it's not as impressive on Blu-Ray as Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Solid State Society is a worthy addition to Manga's Blu-Ray catalogue, and one no sci-fi fan can be without. Extras: Tonnes! As you come to expect from Blu-Ray the number of extras is higher than on the DVD version, with the usual trailers and clean closing sequence joined by a host of interviews and making of segments. Amongst the pick of the bunch are the interview with Production IG president Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and the 'Uchikomatic Days' short, a charming spin off from the 'Tachikomatic Days shorts that graced each volume of the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV series. Great stuff! Ratings Feature:
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