Ghost In The Shell - Stand Alone Complex - SAC 2nd GIG - Complete Collection [2005] [DVD]

To begin, I must say buy the 1st Gig (Boxset) of Stand Alone Complex first.(you can read my review on 1st Gig if you are unsure.) It will orientate you better and prepare you for the shift in mindset, style and overal feel in SAC 2nd Gig.

SAC 2nd Gig is sleek, dark, gloomy, morbid and spine chillingly- beautiful.
the praise that I gave to 1st gig is warranted but this ....this boxset....is a work of art.And not abstract art like Picasso- this is craved to let you see and understand exactly what it wants to say to you. And that's what I find most interesting about it- it is saying something to you.Let me elaborate further:

SAC 2nd Gig continues where 1st Gig left off. Section Nine are still half operational and under the scrutiny of the government. Don't expect to find another Laughing Man case. Laughing Man was fantastic, mind blowing but in my personal opinion 2nd Gig is by far better, brutally better than 1st Gig. It makes 1st Gig seem....mediocre,like a light starter of soup and garlic bread. 2ND GIG IS THE MAIN COURSE.

2ND GIG talks about serious issues and not issues to deal with some futuristic world where human beings are losing their humanity due to cyberisation, that's a tertiary issue- if you want to hear thatside of things: watch the GITS and GITS Innocence (movies)and maybe 1st Gig.

2nd Gig talks about WAR.

It talks about information manipulation by the powers that be. It talks about terrorism, LIKE WE TODAY KNOW IT. It talks about suicide bombers. It talks about revolutions, with Che Guevara-like characters. It talks about how one person can cause a war that will affect millions- for his own gain! It talks about coup de'tats and Nuclear warfare.

This story is gut-wrenchingly good. It's a bit like 'The Manchurian Candidate' or 'Wag the Dog' but much much much better. It references films like Full Metal Jacket, Vanilla Sky and Wings of Desire. But that isn't what chills your blood- it's the fact that it references things like operation: Shock and Awe- yes, remember that, the bombings by America on Baghdad that officially started the war in Iraq. It's never said- it's shown alongside the kick ass plot.

"Ghoda" the one of the villains in 2nd Gig makes my skin crawl because he probably embodies some hypothetical congressman in America who could have pulled a few strings because he knew a few people and somehow managed to get America into Iraq. Of course there is no such evidence to prove such a man exists but it is still a spine chilling hypothesis made real by good writing.

"Kuze" another villain is the people's hero- and the ultimate terrorist. Throw away the concept of him brandishing an Ak47 with a base in some desert locale and sending video tapes to the news saying "death to the invaders"- for the most part he is a passivist, a LIKABLE but uncharismatic character, a bit of a "nostalgic" type, introspective and sentimental. Yet all the previous AK47 brandishing tactics I mentioned are present in one way or another.

The best part about 2nd Gig is that although it is an Anti-War story, it is NOT preachy. This is Ghost in The Shell and they are telling a story about Section Nine and their adventures (maybe 'misadventures' would be a better term) Section Nine, yes thee awesome section nine, has it's back against the wall for almost all 26 episodes- and it's absolutely believable. The villains are THAT powerful.

I would buy this boxset twice!( I live in an african country so the exchange rate doesn't favour me at all. )

If you are a ghost in the shell fan- you should have already pre-ordered this without even blinking (or reading this review)but BUY... IT... NOW!

If you are new to Ghost in the Shell BUY 1st GIG and BUY this too. There should be some amazon special price for the two boxsets. You won't regret it- Amazon is asking for chump-change for these boxsets.

This is what storytelling is and should always be. As much as I have written in this review- I have barely even touched on what makes this story so great.

Art imitates life- and Ghost in the Shell SAC 2nd Gig is art at its finest.

This boxset is a 7 star General in my books, a star for each disc.(Attention!...At ease soldier!)

I was worried when I came to watch this second series of the Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex series that it wouldn't live up to it's predecessor but fortunately it surpasses the original series in every way. The animation is far superior to the first gig and the storyline, although somewhat convoluted in places, seems far more mature than its previous run. This second gig also includes some interesting background to a couple of the less seen members of Section 9 as well as some of the history of the world in which it is set. One of the things I like about this series is that it is not afraid to drop the action and have entire episodes dedicated to advancing the plot arc or philosophical musings. Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd Gig is a brilliant series and has jumped to the top of my list of best TV series ever.

GITS SAC 2nd GIG follows the work of a group known as Section 9: one of those secret, let's-pretend-it-doesn't-exist special ops-type set ups the Japanese government ropes in every time they need help with a spider or something.

Firstly, you don't need to have seen either of the GITS films to fully enjoy the two GITS series. However, if you can, I would suggest watching 1st GIG before this one. If you can't get your hands on it, no worries, 1st GIG is only occasionally referred to, and you can get by just fine without it.

Now, onto the series itself. I'm not sure who exactly GITS is targeted at, as it comprises almost equal parts gunfights, robots and explosions, and metaphors, philosophical discussions and mind-trips. If you enjoy cyberpunk, sci fi, and don't mind the odd long discussion, I would strongly recommend GITS.

2nd GIG follows an X-Files type format: episodes are either standalone (separate, single episode stories) or complex (episodes that follow a story arc). The story arc deals with a group known as The Individual Eleven, who are generally either trying to kill the Japanese prime minister, or each other. It's a little difficult to follow at times, but incredibly well-written and engrossing.

The animation is top-quality, and you will really appreciate those sweeping cityscapes as a character looks out across cyberpunk Japan. The soundtrack is also excellent, and features some beautiful vocals from Origa. As far as voice-acting goes, both the Japanese and English dubs are very good.

So, if you like anime and appreciate the classics: buy this DVD. If you're a sci fi fan who's willing to give anime a try: buy this DVD. Lastly, if you've already seen the films and 1st GIG: where have you been? Buy this DVD!