Source: The Associates press release Official Site: ghostintheshellredux.co.uk Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh
Manga Entertainment UK will release the 2008 anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 (Kokaku Kidotai 2.0) to selected cinemas in England beginning October 2nd. The theatrical run will be followed by a 2 disc DVD set and Blu-ray release on October 26th. HMV stores are offering a GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 Exclusive Redux Edition DVD that comes with a slipcase and four art cards. The film will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray in a "Double Pack" set with the sequel GHOST IN THE SHELL: INNOCENCE (2004). The following information comes from the press release provided by the British publicity firm, The Associates... "A stunning work of speculative fiction, the first truly adult animation to reach a level of literary and visual excellence." – James Cameron In 1995, the animated cyberpunk action-thriller GHOST IN THE SHELL stunned moviegoers and anime fans alike by seamlessly merging traditional animation with the latest CG imagery to create an intelligent and artistic sci-fi spectacle unlike anything seen before. The film enjoyed both critical and popular acclaim at the international box office before going on to reach even greater success on DVD. Now, director Mamoru Oshii (THE SKY CRAWLERS; AVALON) has revisited his classic masterpiece to create a newly enhanced "director`s cut" for cinemas in the form of GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0. Containing over 90 altered and enhanced scenes and an all-new soundtrack that includes dialogue re-recorded by the original actors (with the exception of one new voice cast member who adds a unique spin to the plot), this new release represents the perfect opportunity for fans to see this mind-blowing film as originally intended – on the big screen beginning 2nd October 2009.
"Only a hundred thousand people saw [GHOST IN THE SHELL] in cinemas back in 1995," remembers Oshii. "To this day, most people have only seen it on video. That`s why I really wanted people to have a chance to see it on the big screen, and I really hope they do. In terms of CGI, there are over 90 cuts that have been altered and enhanced. And with extensive use of filter effects and color correction techniques throughout the rest of the film, it`s fair to say that pretty much the entire movie has been enhanced in some way." The year is 2029 and 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 the memories of its victims. Created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and codenamed "Project 2501", this "hacker" is actually a prototype virtual agent which has now defied its makers by seeking asylum within a new host body outside of the electronic net. Now the two agencies must maneuver against each another in a violent, high-tech race to capture the omnipresent entity. Hailed, in its original form, as "the kind of film James Cameron would make if Disney ever let him" (Empire) and as "unusually intelligent and challenging science fiction" (SISKEL & EBERT) that "[blends] the best of BLADE RUNNER and TOTAL RECALL`" (Wired), GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 is an undisputed anime and sci-fi classic and an unmissable cinematic experience that, amazingly, now looks and sounds even better than ever. For theatrical release dates and additional information please visit Manga Entertainment`s official GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 website.
GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0
Label: Manga Entertainment UK Director: Mamoru Oshii Stars: Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka Certificate: 15 Running time: 79 mins Theatrical Release Date: 2nd October, 2009 DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: 26th October, 2009 Price: DVD - £19.99, Blu Ray - £24.99 English and Japanese 6.1 Audio New English Language Soundtrack Starring the Original American Voice Cast English subtitles Includes Original GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995)
Special Features • Making of Ghost in the Shell: Production Report • Theatrical Trailer • Character Profiles • Creator Biographies
GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0/ GHOST IN THE SHELL: INNOCENCE Double Pack DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: 26th October, 2009 Price: DVD - £29.99, Blu Ray - £39.99
