
The first four episodes from the series drawn from the successful manga Ghost in the Shell arrive on North American DVD in this well-appointed package. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex -- Volume 1 has been transferred to disc in letterboxed format at the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, which has been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The episodes appear in two formats, Dolby Digital Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1, and both formats feature both the original Japanese-language soundtrack and a dubbed English version. Optional English subtitles are also included. Bonus materials include optional versions of the opening and closing sequences without credits, interviews with director Kenji Kamiyama and voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, and trailers for other anime titles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide