Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Rewatch)
- Thread starter shira
- Start date
Yeah I'm sure it does, its GITS after all and thats to be expected, but it's done in half hour long episodes, not a 2 hour long movie with sections dedicated to "scenery" (which are actually my favourite parts of the movie, complete with their freak out soundtrack).
Got through ep #2 last night
Really enjoyed that one, I really quite like the Tachikoma's, their characters provide light amusement, but I enjoyed it mostly for the animation. I find SAC to be really poorly animated in places, particularly when the characters are talking to each other, its very flat and I don't know if its been done on purpose or its a limitation due to the level of animation in the fight sequences, Tachikoma's or what but the Tachikoma's really do have some wonderful animation.
For bi-pedal tanks (admittedly on shoppnig trolley wheels) they're incredibly light on their legs and their movement reminds me of ice dancers, they're great to watch, even at 2am when I can't get to sleep (for the second night in a row...).
Got through ep #2 last night
Really enjoyed that one, I really quite like the Tachikoma's, their characters provide light amusement, but I enjoyed it mostly for the animation. I find SAC to be really poorly animated in places, particularly when the characters are talking to each other, its very flat and I don't know if its been done on purpose or its a limitation due to the level of animation in the fight sequences, Tachikoma's or what but the Tachikoma's really do have some wonderful animation.
For bi-pedal tanks (admittedly on shoppnig trolley wheels) they're incredibly light on their legs and their movement reminds me of ice dancers, they're great to watch, even at 2am when I can't get to sleep (for the second night in a row...).
It's interesting you feel that way about SAC's animation, Riva. I never really noticed it as an issue - to the contrary I'm more picky on some of the fight scenes. There's an episode in which Motoko is bustin' it up and it looked somewhat... clunky? It was very slow, I suppose. It was still nice but, only in short bursts.
Hmm, but thats not really an excuse for the characters to be so static, take the scene near the start of episode 2 where you have The Major, Batou and Togusa all looking at (I think it was, my short term memory is awful...) a screen and the "camera" (by which I mean the manner in which we're viewing them) is looking at their faces. I'm not expecting them to be jumping around etc, and I do expect The Major and Batou's faces to be a little static as they have full cyborg bodies, but they look completely lifeless, as does Togusa, the only fully human member of the team, he literally has no emotions half the time.
Admittedly, this is the only real criticsm of the series I have thus far if I'm being honest. But I find it really jarring when animation looks poor, especially on something that looks like it probably had a decent budget too.
Admittedly, this is the only real criticsm of the series I have thus far if I'm being honest. But I find it really jarring when animation looks poor, especially on something that looks like it probably had a decent budget too.
Episode 18 (Late)
I felt this episode was far better for Arimaki's character than 17 was, personally. I really felt for him in this episode - especially at the end when he talks about having to endure the death of his friend for a second time. A really good episode on the whole. Very nearly back on the Complex episodes now - I think they resume at 20. I'm looking forward to that, but the quality of the Stand Alone episodes has been so high recently that it'll be a shame to stop seeing them. This is definitely why Ghost in the Shell is (to me) one of the best shows of all time.
I felt this episode was far better for Arimaki's character than 17 was, personally. I really felt for him in this episode - especially at the end when he talks about having to endure the death of his friend for a second time. A really good episode on the whole. Very nearly back on the Complex episodes now - I think they resume at 20. I'm looking forward to that, but the quality of the Stand Alone episodes has been so high recently that it'll be a shame to stop seeing them. This is definitely why Ghost in the Shell is (to me) one of the best shows of all time.
Vashdaman
Za Warudo
Akyho said:
Yeah I can understand that some who liked the manga might not appreciate Oshii's film very much. But as for me I feel like he developed on the source material nicely and made it more interesting, albiet it is definitely more Oshii's beast than Shirow's, but thats probably the way it should be anyway as it was a feature length anime adaptaion not a manga series.
I know a lot of people don't like how cold Motoko is in the film and whatnot, but I think thats just inherent to the franchise as even in SAC she is just as emotionless. Personally I also like the more isoteric and philosophical currents that go through the first movie as well, and I think the whole thing was directed quite beautifully. Another thing I also like is the look of the film, I much prefer the more unusual (and un-shirow) and interesting design of the the characters in Oshii's film rather than the barbie doll Motoko we get in SAC. Also it has what has to be one of the best opening sequences ever (though why they felt the need to ruin it with cheap 3D in 2.0 I will never understand). And I haven't even mentioned the haunting soundtrack yet!
It may not be the most easy or enjoyable film to watch (I hardly ever watch it) but it is undeniably one of the most well made and classic feature length anime movies of the 90's.
Don't get me wrong though I do like SAC equally, but I don't think it's good reason to dislike 2nd gig just because Oshii was involved. Although it's interesting you mention that though as I had no idea he was involved, yet out of the two I have always preferred 2nd gig.
Kusanagi mentions about adding to his memory to make him think he had been successful. So I was wondering if the explosion scene, was added in by the major. She (though a cyborg) and him, looking to be only be cyberbrain enchanced, wasn't burnt or blown up...
So was that added in to make him think he had managed to do it?
So was that added in to make him think he had managed to do it?
EP19
A nice simple episode, but still well executed.
SAC is one of those series I can watch and feel that it would work as a live action series, the "camera work" is believeable and the usage of backgrounds and foreground objects work well.
There is somthing about this ep's events which feed in to a later complex episode if i remember correctly.
A nice simple episode, but still well executed.
SAC is one of those series I can watch and feel that it would work as a live action series, the "camera work" is believeable and the usage of backgrounds and foreground objects work well.
There is somthing about this ep's events which feed in to a later complex episode if i remember correctly.
Managed a few episodes last night, including getting onto the stat of the Complex chain.
Couple of things first though, the Complex episodes seem to have had a larger chunk of the budget assigned to them, generally the scenes appear to be busier, less static and the overall animation level is much higher.
Also, is there any particular reason that Makoto dresses the way she does, (I don't recall anything mentioned in the movies, not seen all of SAC and never read the manga) as it doesn't really seem to fit in with everything else around her...
Anyway, onto the episodes I watched last night
Ep.#3
I really enjoyed this one, not for its story as I felt it was mostly flat until the very end
Couple of things first though, the Complex episodes seem to have had a larger chunk of the budget assigned to them, generally the scenes appear to be busier, less static and the overall animation level is much higher.
Also, is there any particular reason that Makoto dresses the way she does, (I don't recall anything mentioned in the movies, not seen all of SAC and never read the manga) as it doesn't really seem to fit in with everything else around her...
Anyway, onto the episodes I watched last night
Ep.#3
I really enjoyed this one, not for its story as I felt it was mostly flat until the very end
the bit where Togusa watches the film, perhaps the Ambassadors Son was acting out the film with his Jeri doll? He did have a large projector screen up when we first met him[/b], I enjoyed it because the Togusa - Batou relationship felt a bit like a buddy cop movie from the late 80's early 90s (I'm thinking a little bit like Lethal Weapon here, but with neither character being the obvious Riggs or Murtaugh characters).
I liked the quips about ageing technology too, although I'm suprised to see a Lancia, let alone a Stratos survive in good (and sporty) condition to 2030
unless it's a kit-car (you can buy kits that look exactly like a Stratos but without the famously shoddy Lancia construction).
Ep.#4
Onto the Complex episodes then, what did Aramaki write on his notepad next to the Laughing Man doodle? The camera seemed to focus on it, but the English dub doesn't feature any subtitles that translate that particular part (I'm in the habit of watching English language films/tv shows with subs now days as sometimes I miss information when I just have the voices on). As far as an introductory episode to the case it was perfectly paced, which brings me onto...
Ep.#5
What a great episode, just the right amount of answers to a small number of questions that I'm still not quite sure are correct, enough new questions to keep the viewer watching and again it was perfectly paced with an excellent level of tension right near the end.
I liked the quips about ageing technology too, although I'm suprised to see a Lancia, let alone a Stratos survive in good (and sporty) condition to 2030
unless it's a kit-car (you can buy kits that look exactly like a Stratos but without the famously shoddy Lancia construction).Ep.#4
Onto the Complex episodes then, what did Aramaki write on his notepad next to the Laughing Man doodle? The camera seemed to focus on it, but the English dub doesn't feature any subtitles that translate that particular part (I'm in the habit of watching English language films/tv shows with subs now days as sometimes I miss information when I just have the voices on). As far as an introductory episode to the case it was perfectly paced, which brings me onto...
Ep.#5
What a great episode, just the right amount of answers to a small number of questions that I'm still not quite sure are correct, enough new questions to keep the viewer watching and again it was perfectly paced with an excellent level of tension right near the end.
Episode 20 (Late)
Due to being out last night I never got to watch this - but just finished it now. What a great episode. A real cliffhanger at the end with Togusa for those who hadn't seen Ghost in the Shell too. The Complex episodes are so well executed it's fantastic - I'm kinda glad I get to do two episodes today to catch up
Due to being out last night I never got to watch this - but just finished it now. What a great episode. A real cliffhanger at the end with Togusa for those who hadn't seen Ghost in the Shell too. The Complex episodes are so well executed it's fantastic - I'm kinda glad I get to do two episodes today to catch up
HdE
Comic Book Guy
SPOILERS ahead for any GITS newbies:
I remember seeing this first time around and thinking - this being a brand new continuity of GITS stories where anything could happen - that there was a very real possibility that the next episode would be all about Section 9 laying Togusa to rest. That he would be brown bread, having joined the Choir Invisible. That it was all over, red rover. So long and thanks for all the fish. Go straight to Deadsville, do not pass go, do not collect £100.
It's a testament to the way this show is executed that these sort of elements really work. I do recall being similarly suckered during Solid State Society. And that comes from a long-time fan of the manga.
Godot said:
I remember seeing this first time around and thinking - this being a brand new continuity of GITS stories where anything could happen - that there was a very real possibility that the next episode would be all about Section 9 laying Togusa to rest. That he would be brown bread, having joined the Choir Invisible. That it was all over, red rover. So long and thanks for all the fish. Go straight to Deadsville, do not pass go, do not collect £100.
It's a testament to the way this show is executed that these sort of elements really work. I do recall being similarly suckered during Solid State Society. And that comes from a long-time fan of the manga.
HdE
Comic Book Guy
Amd oddly enough, I was compelled to watch the next episode a bit quicker than usual, too!
Just watched episode 21. The animation on that one is STUNNING! It's one of my favourites of the 1st GIG. It feels like a very full episode too. Dai Sato's input on this show is very, very good.
Just watched episode 21. The animation on that one is STUNNING! It's one of my favourites of the 1st GIG. It feels like a very full episode too. Dai Sato's input on this show is very, very good.
Episode 21
I'm with HdE here - this episode is stunning. The fight reminded me of the first Ghost in the Shell film too, actually (If I'm remembering it correctly).
One thing that bugs me though - The Laughing Man looks pretty young, so how young was he 6 years ago when he commited that crime on TV? lol.
I'm with HdE here - this episode is stunning. The fight reminded me of the first Ghost in the Shell film too, actually (If I'm remembering it correctly).
One thing that bugs me though - The Laughing Man looks pretty young, so how young was he 6 years ago when he commited that crime on TV? lol.