Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Having more in common with the manga than with the original, groundbreaking cult classic, Stand Alone Complex or "S.A.C." is the latest and greatest installment in Masamune Shirow's endlessly popular "Ghost in the Shell" series. Like it's predecessors, Mamoru Oshii's original "Ghost in the Shell" and it's amazing sequel "Ghost in the Shell: Innocence," "S.A.C." is packed with action, political intrigue, and philosophical ponderings, making each thirty minute episode into a stunning thrill ride of gorgeous material, upbeat, technoish-music and juicy storytelling that doesn't quit until the last frame leaves the screen.

Though the story of "S.A.C." doesn't technically take place in the timeline laid out by the two full-length films, it's focus is still roughly the same; following the actions of the Cybernetically modified Major Motoko Kusanagi of Public Safety Section nine, her tough and funny companion-in-arms, Batou, and the old-fashioned ex-cop Togusa, as well as a host of other characters neglected or missed entirely by the films, "S.A.C." holds it's own as a genuinely (and therefore aptly named) stand alone series.

It's stunning visual sequences and A-grade storytelling outstrip anything else you're likely to see on nighttime T.V. and often provide more meaningful material and more realistic characters (speaking in terms of actions and personality) in a half hour than most movies do in the two-hours they have available to them.

Full of wonderful, intriguing, and philosophically stimulating storylines and suspense-filled plot-twists that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, "Stand Alone Complex" is a masterpiece to say the least- it's action is well thought out and, despite it's borderline-postcyberpunk nature, it manages to avoid any unnecessary violence or gratuitous sexual innuendos (though having the Major periodically prance around in a thong is rather... unnecessary.)

To say the least, it's a fantastic addition to the "Ghost in the Shell" series, and a beautiful piece of science fiction as well, one that has given the Postcyberpunk genre another solid foothold in popular media, and Ghost in the Shell fans something new to talk about every week.