Not so Distant Future
Much of this site is dedicated to the impending cyberization of humanity. I chronicle some of the inroads we make towards that end. A lot of the examples of human mechanization that I’ve showed have been depicted in sci fi movies. Films like Blade Runner, The Terminator, and Minority Report – just to name a few – have made great attempts at showcasing our not so distant cybernetic future. Ghost in the Shell, in my opinion, comes the closest.
Intelligent Animation
The power of animation that live action lacks is that cartoons can show us anything. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert said as much about the hilarious movie Antz. Of Ghost in the Shell, with a clever play on words, Ebert also said “the ghost of anime can be seen in the film trying to divine into the shell of the movie mainstream. But this particular film is too complex and murky to reach a large audience, I suspect.” The Wachowski brothers have cited it as one of their influences and they pitched their idea for the Animatrix producers the Ghost in the Shell series. Steven Spielberg & his Dream Works have acquired the right to turn the story into a live action film. Don’t let the category or complexity of the film allow you to skip it over. The movies are very much worth your while. These amazon links will assure that you get the best prices.
Synopsis:
Best Theatrical Film – 1997 World Animation Festival Best Director of a Theatrical Film – 1997 World Animation Festival 2029 – A female government cyber agent and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of a “The Puppet Master” – a computer virus capable of invading cybernetic brains and altering its victims’ memories. The film has inspired a generation of filmmakers and become the most revered anime feature of all time. Veteran anime writer/director/producer Mamoru Oshii, working with animators at Production I.G. (Blood: The Last Vampire, Kaidohmaru, Kill Bill). Co-produced by Manga Entertainment, GITS became the first Japanese animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Video Sales Chart (August 24, 1996).
Quotes:
• “The First Truly Adult Animation Film to Reach a Level of Literary and Visual Excellence.” – James Cameron – (Aliens/Total Recall)
• “Unusually Intelligent and Challenging Science Fiction. Two Thumbs Up” – Siskel & Ebert
• “Blending the best of Blade Runner and Total Recall…A Visual Tour De Force.” – Wired Magazine
Synopsis:
2030: the “real world” and the “net world” have melded ever closer, simultaneously blurring and challenging the boundaries of consciousness, reality, and existence. Implanted cybernetic devices are becoming commonplace. This use of technology has become so integrated into society that those who doe not engage in the use of cybernetic organs are often regarded by others with suspicion. It is here that female cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi and her fellow officers at Section 9 work to keep the peace. Co-produced by Manga Entertainment and Bandai Entertainment, created by the revered animators at Japan’s Production I.G (Kill Bill, Ghost in the Shell), and directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Blood: The Last Vampire, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade) with music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop), the series continues the story of the acclaimed anime feature film Ghost in the Shell, based on the popular manga by Shirow Masamune.
Quotes:
• “Effortlessly slick animation, a brilliant music score, and stories that touch the core of what it is to be human–who could ask for more in an anime series?” –Anime News Network
Synopsis:
Masamune Shirow’s groundbreaking cyberpunk thriller is back again in an exciting new anime series – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG! Major Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 continue to fight terrorists in both the real and on-line worlds. Acclaimed anime directors Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Season One) have teamed up with the award-winning animation staff at Japan’s acclaimed Production I.G studio to bring you the most exciting and highly anticipated new series of the year – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG.
Quotes:
• “This new storyline has me from the word go and I’m once again in love…” AnimeOnDvd.com
Synopsis:
A.D. 2034. It has been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9. Togusa is now the new leader of the team that has considerably increased its appointed personnel. The expanded new Section 9 confronts a rash of complicated incidents, and investigations reveal that an ultra-wizard hacker nicknamed the Puppet Master” is behind the entire series of events.
Quotes:
• “…Solid State Society does deliver in spades..”– AnimeOnDVD.com
Info courtesy Manga Entertainment.
