This fine near-future series is not a sequel to the superb 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie, nor is it adapted from either the film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence or creator Masamune Shirow's recent manga Ghost in the Shell 2: Man Machine Interface. Instead, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex reboots the story of cyborg policewoman Motoko Kusanagi from the beginning, as she investigates crime as a member of Section 9 alongside her colleagues from the original movie and a band of chatty, intelligent robots called Tachikomas. Sporting a police procedural structure and a lighter, less philosophical tone than the movie, this feels similar to the Patlabor TV series, but it still maintains its focus on political intrigue and an intelligent exploration of the blurring line between humans and machines. Accurately rated 13-up, this nicely-animated dual-language disc features the initial four episodes (in a projected seven-disc series) and includes a pair of bonus interviews. Highly recommended. [Note: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Vol. 2 will be available on Sept. 28.] Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Vol. 1
(2003) 110 min. DVD: $24.95. Manga Video/Bandai Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 19, Issue 5
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Vol. 1
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