Anime: Ghost in the Shell (2008)

Hoo boy, what HAVE they done...

I really liked the original, a classic movie, but this "special edition" would make even George Lucas mad.
Biggest change is the random smattering of CG all over the movie, replacing all of the quite adequate animation that made the original movie so glorious. So instead of the classic celluloid animation, we get animation inferior to Innocence, the sequel to the original movie. The worst part is that there is still lots of the old pea soup green 1994 CGI and old optical effects left in the movie, such as the hologram shot of the cyberbrain when it’s in the background, and the scene in the van when the camera zooms out of Motoko’s neck. This is most likely because they didn’t have access to the original celluloid, and thus had to add the effects on top of the original movie. This also results in an extremely soft transfer, blurry lines and loss of detail, as opposed to the original movie Blu-ray, which is also available. Also, several scenes, especially the old CGI shots have been toned orange, for reasons completely unknown.

Only really GOOD thing about this thing, is the new audio mix. The original has the classic 90s “pang”, with outlandish sounding machinegun barrages, and an otherwise tired list of foley effects, all in a mono mix. The new mix is in glorious surround, with all the sounds redone. Most of the voice actors also return, except for the voice of the puppet master, previously an old man, now a thirty-some woman, due to personal choices of the director. I really like the creepy feeling of the naked busty torso with the old guy voice, but that is a personal choice.

All in all, it’s still GitS, but I would by FAR recommend the original, which except for the sound mix isn’t dated at all, this “redux” already looks old with its subpar CGI and the failed integration of old and new.

Rate me! This review is based on the THORA HD Blu-ray subs and is considered final and fair.

Quick Take: If you're a fan of colorized classics (like a tan Bogart with in Turner's version of Casablanca), you might like and even admire what the way that Mamoru Oshii's 1995 classic Ghost In The Shell has been updated. It's essentially the same 82-minute movie that started the GITS franchise (as well as influencing hard-sf movies such as The Matrix), but it's been updated. It is cleaner, clearer and the transfer has details in shadows that I don't remember from the original. But there are several sections where 3D CGI have replaced the original footage (though not materially different shots). The opening, for example, has a 3D Matoko jumping from a 3D roof, sporting her 3D nipples and not much else. It's a breathtaking shot, but I have seen it before, and so I wonder, "why fix a classic?" Inevitably, it invites comparisons, some of which will be favorable, some not, and largely because there are purists who hate any changes from a classic they grew up on. Tell that to Lucas and his many changes to Star Wars.

The 2.0 edition has new computer graphics and many digital effects added. It's cast was a reunion of most of the original members but it boasts a new 6.1 surround sound recording. Then again, Academy-Award-winning sound mixer/editor Randy Thom (Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, The Incredibles, The Right Stuff) has overseen the new soundtrack with Kenji Kawai's original music and the final mix that has been produced at Thom and Lucas Digital's Skywalker Sound studio in California. You think, "with that pedigree, how can it go wrong?" and you'd be right. It's good, even great in places, but it's not new. It is a good collector's item, but the original is still that: original. I think the age rating on this one would be 13+ due to nudity and adult themes. Children younger than that might have nightmares, as well as questions about Matoko's cyberjacks.

Animation: I assume you will be familiar with the original movie, which is a standard classic and quite worthy of your viewing. In a side-by-side comparison, it's obvious that the animation has been cleaned, slightly changed and brightened. The movies run almost exactly the same time, but there are many differences. The opening credit roll, and the opening iconic jump from the roof, are full of new 3D CGI material, and it's great (if unoriginal). The computer graphics have been updated. The exit from the water is updated. Without going through a complete scene-by-scene comparison, it's obvious they have given this much the same treatment as Neon Genesis Evangelion was given in Evangelion 1.0.
So, it's not bad, it is in fact excellent 3D CGI, but it's also got that lingering question of why. I cannot answer that, except to say, it was your destiny, Luke.

Animation gets a 10 for technicals and a 8 for judgement in NOT changing many good scenes from the original, and for presenting the best-looking GITS around. However, I do deduct points for unblended 3D CGI (the color palette for the 3D is not exactly the same as the 2D, causing a slight jarring) and for the result is a mixed bag: very pretty, but slightly askew. 8.5 points for animation, losing points for fluidity and color palette, and gaining points by cleaning and perhaps changing the gamma of the transfer.

Sound: I will not presume to review the full animation of the movie (you can find good reviews of Ghost In The Shell everywhere), and they have made no big changes to the story, so the only major changes are in sound. They re-dubbed the voice part of the Puppet Master with a new actor, but most of the rest of the cast is the same. There is a new 6.1 soundtrack that is absolutely awesome, no quibbles or point reductions. The soundstage is immersive, the bgm is award-winning, the foley and sfx are excellent, and I found no fault in the sound whatsoever. I felt the original was worthy of a 9 on sound, and this is quite an improvement by being even more immersive and the voices are more mature (13 years ages a voice). I give 2.0 a 9.5-10 on sound.

Story: In 2029, cybernetics has resulted in the blurring of distinction between man and machine. People can move memories and emotions from person to shell and back and forth (a cyberpunk staple). When an international hacker known as 'The Puppet Master'' begins terrorist hacking, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppet Master. Their investigation will expose the problems of deciding what is really life, and will blur the distinctions between what is human and artifice.

As far as I can tell, the story is exactly the same as before, with perhaps some clarity in the translation. I watched this (as I do most anime) in the original, and the translation is very good. Since there are no material changes to the original, I will be happy to have you look at the GITS page for further comments, but suffice it to say that. while complex, the original movie was not nearly as dense and convoluted as the 1st Gig or 2nd Gig TV series were. The franchise is taking on a life of it's own, much like Star Trek or Star Wars.

I felt the original story was worth a 9, and I have not modified my opinion for this outing.

Character: no change from my original impression of a 9 on character. Matoko is an icon, spawning numerous imitations, and is as recognizable a character as Kirk in Star Trek. The strength of the series is the strength of the characters, from Matoko to Batou to Togusa. The antagonist is the Puppet Master, but you have to root for him in places, and the final solution to the problem is both curious and enevitable. I did not find that the 3D CGI additions or changes made the characters any different, with the possible exception of a purient interest in what Matoko looks like in 3D.

9 points for great, iconic characters.

Value and Enjoyment: It's an excellent transfer, has wonderful sound, and the 3D CGI is technically excellent. Why isn't it selling better in Japan? Perhaps because you don't change a standard that started the franchise, just because you can. It's a great original film, and purists would find the additions and changes to be slightly jarring. People who are viewing it for the first time might enjoy this outing, but I suspect otakus will debate the merits of changes for many years.

It's the wave of the future, however, as anime houses seek to make low-cost changes to their flagship animes and release them in hopes that the dry well will bear more oil.
8 for value, 9 for enjoyment. The sound alone is a reason to buy this edition, it's that good. But let us not forget that the original visuals were stunning, and they still are, if not more so.

Conclusion: If you like cosmetic surgery, or colorizing a classic, this is your edition. Otherwise, get the original and watch either one with fresh eyes. It's a glorious ride.