Ghost in a Shell 1 and 2. Any good?

ShiverinEskimo

As the title suggests - I'm lookin at pickin Ghost in a Shell 1 and 2 up from play.com but wanted to know if they are worth a watch.

There's a fine contingency of World Cinema viewers in these forums so please - share your opinions on the above...

Karl Hungus

I think the first one is definetly worth seeing, but I've not seen the second, so I can't tell you.

Most people would tell you that the series Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex is far superior entirely.

IrishEmperor

Preferred 1, but after watching 2 in a cinema in Tokyo was quite pleased.

Go for it ^_^

only watched one ep from stand-alone-complex; maybe the pilot - fembot assasins and a hostage situation in a brothel?, if you like the movies youll probably enjoy these too...

Hugh Hefner

Ghost In The Shell is good if you like anime, but it's not a great introduction. Still great though.

I haven't seen the second one.

projectmayhem

Karl Hungus wrote:

I think the first one is definetly worth seeing, but I've not seen the second, so I can't tell you.

Most people would tell you that the series Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex is far superior entirely.

first one is fantastic. up there with AKIRA imo (i know i'll probably get flamed for that). second one goes in a whole other direction and is very interesting, and more philosophical, and absolutely beautiful to look at.

but like karl says, check out the stand alone complex series. there's a boxset of the first series out, and right now we're in the middle of the PAL releases of the "2nd gig". far superior plot-wise to the two movies (it acts as a prequel), and it's even getting its own film soon.

ShiverinEskimo

Great - cheers folks. I just ordered the two movies and the 1st GIG box set. should keep me busy in the coming weeks...

monkeyfudge

I was never a fan of Ghost in the Shell. It looks great... but there wasn't anything terribly original about the storyline... I have the 2 DVD pack, and I just haven't gotten around to watching the sequel yet.

Mamoru Oshii's Patlabor films on the other hand are brilliant... but the animation budget isn't anywhere near as high as that on the Ghost in the Shell films.

shatners basoon

I thought the first one was vastly overrated yet it had its moments, likewise the series has its good points and its bad points (not finished watching it yet, have about 3 episodes to go) and i'm yet to see the second one but i've heard good things.

You're probably better off asking in the animé thread by the way.

BrenC

I still haven't seen either, The last full length anime film I saw was Akira

Beruthiel

I loved Ghost in a Shell 1
I was so drunk watching number 2 that I fell asleep I do remember it looking fantastic though....

Pugsley

Heres another recommendation for Stand Alone Complex, excellent series, also havent seen the 2nd film though, thought the first one was pretty good but I wouldnt consider it a must see.

CyberGhost

Ghost in the shell 1 was brilliant, really good, actually the only anime I really like. Everything is perfect about it.

GITS 2 was very nice graphically, but other than that, tbh didn't like it much.

OSiriS

I wasn't a big fan of Stand Alone Complex, although I loved the first film. The series, along with mixed reviews of the second film has me reluctant to bother with either GitS 2 or 2nd GIG.

Makaveli

I'm pretty much the opposite. Not that big a fan of GITS and think it is overrated, however I love Stand Alone Complex. Currently rewatching 2nd Gig and although it's tough to get through sometimes because they make it quite complicated at times I think it is far better than the film.

Havent gotten around to watching Innocence, I'll watch it after I finish 2nd Gig.

ShiverinEskimo

Watched both movies and have started watching SAC 1st GIG. Helluva show. I agree with what most people said - the first movie was a better movie but the animation in Innocence was astounding - made it difficult to go back to watching SAC with the older type animation...