What's so complex about standing alone?
Publisher: Madman
Wed, 29 June 2005
by: ichibod
As appears to be a bit of a recurring theme for me and anime reviews, this is part one of the Stand Alone Complex from a 6/7 disk series (the box that it comes with looks very empty at the moment).
Sammy's note: I'll see if I can help fill your box dude...yikes, that didn't sound how I wanted it to!
Based on the hugely popular Shirow Masamune manga (Japanese comic book for the uneducated), and very much in the vein of the hugely successful Ghost in the Shell animated movie from 1995, Stand Alone Complex brings to life Shirow's vision of a cybernetic future; where the lines between man and machine are blurred.
Three stand alone episodes open this four episode DVD, culminating with the fourth episode's cliff hanger ending, which (trust me on this) will make you want to run screaming to the store for more. You might assume that Stand Alone Complex would seem to be best suited to... well, standing alone, and wrapping up each episode in cute little 20 something minute bundles. But you should NEVER assume when it comes to anime! It may take time, but this story will unfold.
Major Motoko Kusanagi and her fellow officers from section 9 investigate a myriad of off the wall occurrences; from crazed robot tanks to, umm...crazed robot sex dolls.
Although the violence one would expect from such a title is evident in massive doses, the Stand Alone Complex still has a very human side to it.
From all the chacters introduced so far, in these early episodes, it seems the people Section 9 investigate actually give us a greater view of the cybernetic future and its influence on the everyday person. Often overlooked, and slaughted by the dozen, it is the ordinary human beings in everyday life that seem to make the most interesting bad guys here.
 | | Ex-ter-min-ate! Ex-ter-min-ate! |
The Tachikoma robot tanks are a great take on artificial intelligence and offer comic relief to some tense moments. It is well worth watching to the end credits too, so you can see these little critters in a no expense spared short, showing what they get up to outside of work.
Musically Yoko Kanno has produced a wonderful score. Sometimes I think you might forget there is actually music there, because it fits into every scene so perfectly well. From dance to techno, to jazz, to crunchy guitar riffs, to moody atmospherics that will send chills down your spine. You should watch this DVD at least twice; once to watch and once just to listen.
Visually and musically the Stand Alone Complex is of the highest quality. Intriguing stories that question the line between man and machine from every perspective; I'm in heaven!
The fact that there are 22 (I think) more episodes to watch (and I believe a 2nd series?!), means I can expect to be enjoying Stand Alone Complex for some time to come... and probably get even more sucked in, as the story gradually progresses.
I can only tell all of you anime fans to forget everything else, just go out and get this series! You won't regret it. Ideally, you should get all of the Volumes at once, because the suspense of awaiting the next instalment is killing me!
by: ichibod
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