August 29, 2009 

Ghost in the Shell Redux

It has a new look, but the same story

It has a new look, but the same story

“Ghost in the Shell” is simply one of the most amazing films ever made! I don’t say that lightly, there are a lot of films out there, but very few come close to the depth and insight portrayed in GITS.

As far as Sci-fi or Anime films go, this is the bench mark. There are only a few other films that can match it (Akira, My neighbor Totoro, basically master peices). But for me it is the standard by which all of these types of films are measured.

When I saw “The Matrix” (over 10 years ago now) I was astounded like everyone else. But then you compare it to GITS are you start to see whole sequences where they just stole the concepts. It doesn’t detract from “The Matrix”, but shows just how strong GITS is.

Which is why I am so pleased they have gone back to the oringal 1995 film and “Renewed” it.

What do you mean.. Renewed?

I have been waiting for the UK release of “Ghost in the Shell” on Blu-Ray, but it seems we will not be getting the original version. Instead we are going to be getting the Renewed version. At first I was a little upset, I wanted (and still really do) the original version as it was when I first saw it at the cinema. You can of course get it on DVD, but it does not really do the film justice.

But now I am actually really looking forward to this new release of the original. Basically they have gone back to the original film and reworked a large number of the animations. Either compositing new 3D work, or re-colouring and cleaning the original frames. So what you are left with is the original film, but with a cleaner look.

But it seems not everything is as it was. Some scenes have been added and most notably the voice of the puppet master has been changed from male to female. This news is from the Japanese release so it is possible when it is re-dubbed into English they may keep it as it was, but until I can actually see it its hard to know. My biggest fear is they will changes the voices of the English version. I am very used to how they sound now, and if it suffered from the “Akira Effect”* I would not be able to enjoy the films.

*Akira Effect: I am used to the original release of this film in the UK. When the film was re-released with additional content on DVD, they took the liberty of re-voicing the entire film. This has lead to a version I just can’t watch anymore, the voices just don’t fit like they should and I am not able to watch it without screaming.

Most interestingly for the new release the sound has been remixed into 6.1 surround by Skywalker Sound. As well as some of the original music being replaced with entirly new work.

Conclusion

This is a great film, always has been, and always will be. I am so pleased they are finally releasing it in the UK, and to my surprise very happy they have gone back to it and done more than just transfer it and tidy it a little. This film deserves all the attention it gets, and if they can give it a little more love, and a better look then why not.

I have already ordered my copy on Blu-Ray which will be released on 26th October 2009. You can get it from Play. As ever it just not contain the extras I would like to see. Directors commentary, comparison of the original to the new release. It does it contains the “Original Movie”, but I get a feeling that is not right. Only time will tell, I will put up my thoughts on this new version when it comes out.

In the mean time, take a look at what is new in these comparision shots.

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  • Bot Eight

    ‘scuse me, “cleaner look”? You seem to be confused. You might want to look at the comparision shots again. The GITS 2.0 isn’t only blurrier, it’s darker and green has been swapped with orange to fit the color palette and style of the second much newer GITS movie. Not only in my opinion is this an utter hack and disrespectful – whether its one’s own work or not. If they had redone the whole movie, that might have had some value – beyond the commercial interest of the producers. This way they just lumped some half-baked gimmicks together with the original animation for a quick buck on the blu-ray train.

    Just to illustrate how much they’ve devalued this movie: I stopped watching after the initial new CGI sequence because it looks absolutely cheap, amateurish and doesn’t fit the rest of the animation at all.

    By the way, there are 720p HDTV versions of the original version. Apparently, one aired on Japanese TV, whereas the Blu-Ray version looks less detailed like a bad upscale. Obviously, the way it’s produced – fully digital instead of film cells with custom software – 1080p is a waste because it simply isn’t as detailed.

  • binny

    As I said there are going to be some people who really don’t think classic films like should be played with.

    While I agree with you in many way, I don’t have a problem with the film being updated with more modern techniques. GITS is a film that is supposed to rise above its technical prowess and show you something. Having said that I would have prefered the HD release to include the original print as well as the updated one.

    Having now seen it I have to say the one thing that really stuck with me was how good a film it is. Totally unapologetic in its delivery. If you can’t keep up, tough!

    Don’t forget Blu-Ray and HD offer a lot more than just high definition picture quality. Some where this movie shines is in its colour depth and sound. The re-mastered and new soundtrack is fantastic, only going to sound better in surround.

    Unfortunaly I have to disagree with you about the openning, the re-working gave it a lot more punch. While I am not a fan of their 3D model work (The Major just does not look right) it does add to the film. There are places where the joins show, on the whole this is an honest tribue to a great film done with respect to the source material.

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