▪	RELEASED BY:		MANGA ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DTS 5.1 & DD 2.0 AND JAPANESE DD 5.1 & 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		260 MIN
		▪	RATING:		13UP
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		10/02/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/25/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

In the year 2030, man and machine have merged to the point of not knowing where the machine begins and the human ends. With cybernetics being state of the art, Section 9, lead by Major Motoko Kusanagi, deal with the security issues raised by cyber crimes, the crimes regular forces aren’t qualified to deal with. A new crime has links to an incident from one that occurred six years ago done by an infamous criminal known only as The Laughing Man. He has never been caught and it seems he has risen again to create chaos in society. But as Section 9 pursues him, they begin to uncover a conspiracy of corruption, extortion and even murder that may lead to the highest offices of the government. Now Section 9 must face their toughest, most dangerous assignment yet: get to the truth and stay alive to tell it…

This is the streamlined version of the entire first season of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (SAC). It compiles the most pertinent moments dealing with the ongoing Laughing Man story arc that comprised most of season 1 of this TV series that is as phenomenal as much as it has become a phenomena. This new special features redone dialogue that creates a more straightforward flow to give necessary explanatory moments. The original Japanese cast returned for the new dubbing while the English parts were given an all new cast. The matches to the original English cast were quite close, the most notable being Allison Matthews who takes on the challenge of voicing the enigmatic, cool and confident Motoko, and does so with seeming effortlessness while still sounding very much like the previous actress. Honestly it was only be reading the credits that I knew it wasn’t Mary McGlynn.

Running two hours and forty minutes long, this streamlined version is a much more clear-cut retelling of the Laughing Man story. And it remains a fascinating one. Both layered and sophisticated, the tale of corruption, greed, and government flaws as well as the individual’s struggle for meaning, are all profoundly touched upon in this challenging story. This compilation does sacrifice a lot of the action from the TV series to focus on the more cerebral matters the Laughing Man arc deals with and keep the very necessary explanatory scenes. It does however keep some of the most integral action scenes, the most shocking as well, from the first season. These include Motoko being attacked by a metal unit piloted by an officer that nearly kills her. Her violent reaction is both understandable and frightening. Another is the integral last stand of the Tachikomas as they try to save their beloved Batou who took such good care of them. These Think Tanks have an evolution during the first season that confronts concepts of sentience and soul. Unfortunately their story is the one the most sacrificed in this new compilation, but the emotional impact of their final scenes in the special are still emotional and filled with layered meaning.

The build up in the story to the betrayal of the government when Section 9 gets too close to the truth, remains enthralling. Turned on by their own government, Section 9 must go underground in order to survive as they are hunted and some perhaps even killed by the very same people they’ve tried to protect. The ultimate conclusion to this film rendition of the series is just as phenomenal as it was the first time around in the TV show.  It features animation that is comparable to a theatrical release. Provocative, thoughtful, and gripping it really is a story that touches on many levels of societal and individual consciousness that are relevant today. If you take out the science fiction components, the story and themes of this anime are still prevalent ones in today’s world. Simply substitute the cyber-brain seizing with that of Alzheimer’s, corrupt government officials are hardly a new topic in today’s world sadly, and the individual’s need for truth, a longing for safety and meaning are issues universal to everyone. The search for what truly comprises the soul is one that we are ever questioning, ever searching, ever seeking to understand. 

EXTRAS:
Bonus features are on the second disc and include other anime trailers, an all new Tachikomatic Days omake theater, and Stand Alone Complex Archive. This last feature is over half an hour long video ‘navigated’ by the  GitS SAC series original Japanese voice actress for Motoko. She interviews GitS SAC writer and director Kenji Kamiyama about this all new compilation of the first season, as well as offering behind the scenes look at the recording session for the cast of Section 9 and a writers’ meeting for the staff as they work on the script. This DVD also comes with a special “O sleeve” for a limited time which features the Laughing Man logo as a slip case.

IN SUMMARY:
Ghost in the Shell SAC: The Laughing Man special is a nearly three hour retelling of season one of the legendary TV series, its main story distilled to its essence. It is one of the most thought provoking anime of our generation.