Bandai Visual and Manga Entertainment
Review by Gary W. Tooze and Luiz R.
Video: 16:9 1080P AVC (± 39
Mbps)
Size: 50GB (dual-layered BRD) and a dual-layered SD
Audio: Japanese 2.0 PCM, English 2.0 Dolby
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Extras: Ghost In The Shell Trailers
Box: (see image below)
Booklet
DVD (Dual Layer, Mpeg-2 ±8.0 Mbps)
Audio: Japanese 2.0 Dolby, DUB: English 2.0 Dolby
Subtitles: English, Japanese, none
Released: August 24th, 2007
Blu-ray case
20 chapters
Product Description:
The skillful 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 centerfold. 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.
Excerpt from Charles Solomon' review at Amazon located HERE
****
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Ghost in the Shell is another great example of the anime genre. This Japanese animation was dubbed into English by the Manga Entertainment company and the voice acting is surprisingly good. Unlike most anime, though, the emphasis seems to be on the cerebral aspects that come into play when one questions their own identity. There are some standard-issue car chases, nudity, gun fights and ultraviolent scenes, but there's less than you might expect. Some scenes are seemingly endless conversations of existentialism and some of its more abstract ideas.
As a visual representation of the future, Ghost in the Shell is impressive. Some scenes of futuristic Hong Kong are photographic in quality and the interweaving of computer graphics with the animation is stunning and effective. The result is a very convincing atmosphere of gloom, decay and menace from an unknown source. This helps the viewer identify with the main character's search for herself, since the outside world seems so unpleasant.
Package
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Video: (BIG thanks to Luiz R. for his assistance)
I think the Blu-ray is an amazing upgrade from the SD DVD, although I noticed some "color flickering" the overall improvements are immense. This is most evident in the resolution (obviously) and the vibrancy of the colors. I did notice some unusual dirt - but it was very infrequent. Bottom line with the image quality of the BRD is that I'm pleased and suspect it will be years before something superior for this film comes along. I would estimate it is around 15-20% better than the SD DVD included in the package.
Screen Captures
Subtitle sample
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(SD DVD TOP vs. Blu-ray DVD BOTTOM)
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(SD DVD TOP vs. Blu-ray DVD BOTTOM)
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(SD DVD TOP vs. Blu-ray DVD BOTTOM)
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(SD DVD TOP vs. Blu-ray DVD BOTTOM)
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Caps from the Blu-ray
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Audio:
The only audio is a Dolby 2.0 track and I really enjoyed the PCM output - so much so that it sounds superior to any of the previous releases I own. Saying that though a 5.1 output would be interesting. There is a 2.0 English DUB offered.
Optional English, or Japanese subtitles support the dialogue.
Extras:
There is nothing here, just some trailers...
Menus
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BOTTOM LINE: Digital animation - including adult-oriented Japanese animation really seems to benefit from a high-definition transfer. Colors in this are explosive. For those keen on the Blade Runner concept of this (or Ghost in the Shell: Innocence), then owning the Blu-ray(s) is the way to view these film's to maximize the visual splendor.
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