A pair of modern sci-fi favorites from cult directors are back for another round on DVD today, promising fans more bonus features and digitally remastered visuals and sound. Ghost in the Shell Special Edition and The Fifth Element Ultimate Edition should be a hit with both anime aficionados and vevotees of vfx-heavy sci-fi noir.
Director Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 animated masterpiece, Ghost in the Shell, is set in the year 2029, when augmented humans live in virtual, online environments. In this world, law enforcement officers are able to download themselves into crime-busting mecha units and viral secret agents move freely about the net with virtually unlimited powers. The film was a major influence on the hit Matrix live action franchise.
The two-disc Special Edition set includes a making-of production report, character dossiers, creator and director biographies, the theatrical trailer and previews of other Manga Ent. releases. It carries a suggested retail price of $34.98.
The Fifth Element (1997) is directed by French filmmaker Luc Besson (Le Femme Nikita, The Professional) and stars Bruce Willis as a down-and-out taxi driver who gets in way over his head when a mysterious woman, played by Milla Jovovich, lands in his cab with relentless pursuers on her tail. Gary Oldman co-stars as an evil arms dealer with an interest in the woman, who may be the missing key to creating a devastating weapon.
The two-disc Ultimate Edition offers 120 minutes of exclusive material, including interviews with the film’s stars, a featurette on production designers Moebius and Jean Claude Meziers, screen tests for many of the film’s aliens, a look at the futuristic vision of New York City as created by vfx company Digital Domain, a featurette on the costuming contributions of fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, a look at the creation of the fascinating "Diva” character played by actress Maiwenn, a feature-length trivia track and a poster gallery. The Columbia TriStar release lists for $24.98.
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