Main Feature	Special Features
	Video	1080p High Definition 16:9	480i Standard Definition
	Audio	DTS 5.1 English & Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1: English & Japanse	Dolby Digital 2.0
	Subtitle	English
	Rating	TV 14	NR
	Running Time	105 minutes
	Released By: Sentai Filmworks
	Release Date: March 18, 2010
	Review Date: May 24, 2010
	Reviewed By: Rommel Salandanan
	You have not seen “Appleseed” until you’ve seen it in High-Definition Rating:

STORY IN A NUTSHELL:
After a global war, humanity has pushed itself to the brink of extinction. Hope rests with Olympus, a utopian city that balances harmony and peace through bioroid, artificial life forms that mimic every human aspect except for emotions and reproduction, but others don’t like this idea of coexistence. Standing in their way is Deunan, a woman raised as a soldier who now must confront her past in order to save the future of humanity and a race that may be their only hope of not destroying themselves completely.

REVIEW:
Appleseed was the latest reimagining based on the graphic novels by famed master of science fiction, Shirow Masamune (Ghost in the Shell). Set before Appleseed Ex Machina, but done well after the original 1988 OVA, Appleseed reinvents the tale of Deunan and Briareos, her cyborg partner, and their fight to save Olympus. It opens on a gunfight at night in ruins as Deunan battles against guns, androids, and tanks. She is taken by ES.W.A.T where she is shown a new peaceful world in a city of largesse and tranquility. However even the peaceful need a warrior and Deunan is their first pick. She is paired with Briareos, her former comrade in arms now cyborg. Her flashbacks serve as a dramatic and poignant subplot underlining the emotional tension between these two reunited people.

Her transition is an eye opener in many respects. She is shown a world where half the population is made of Bioroids. They are there to help and live in harmony with humans. Ruling the world is the super computer Gaia, with a prime minister named Athena and a council of Elders assisting in the ruling and supervising of Olympus. However the peaceful city is attacked by terrorists that are intent on the genocide of all Bioroids. With her Bioroid friend dying, and the remaining Bioroids about to face annihilation, it is up to Deunan to unlock the secrets hidden in her tragic past in order to find the key that will save the future of two races.  Yet it is one laced with betrayal. There are those who fight to destroy the Bioroids and then there are others who have plotted with Machiavellian depth to end all of humanity. Deunan is all that stands in their way…

Appleseed is a suspenseful and taut science fiction action film. It confronts questions regarding the destructive nature of humanity, its hope, its gifts such as the ability to love, and its great weakness within our ability to give in to fear, anger, and hate. It has, in hallmark Shirow storytelling fashion, hit on questions about sentience, the power of love, the nature of humanity, and the political ramifications of all of the above set in an insular society.  It is excellent science fiction. Thanks to the amazing 3DCG animation the film is also a visceral and mesmerizing feature to immerse one’s self in. The action scenes are done with dramatic effect and no attention to detail was neglected. The cityscapes are astonishing in their visuals. The fight scenes are incredible with their dramatic imagery. Particularly impressive out of a film of constant captivating CG animation are the airships.

The film was directed by Shinji Aramaki who has worked on acclaimed and cult and international hits like Bubblegum Crisis, Gasaraki, and the new Halo Legends. The production was done by Fumihiko Shori whose work includes the live action and award winning Ping Pong and Ichi, as well as applauded CG anime films like Vexille. The animation is accentuated by a kick ass score provided by the likes of Japanese electronic music duo Boom Boom Satellites, along with Paul Oakenfold, and Basement Jaxx. The rock and techno fusion mixes it up with subtle scores to provide a movie that is both dramatic and action driven while providing a strong cerebral plot as well.

TECHNICAL TERMS:
The video has been upconverted to high-definition, and the transition showed a few gradient effects in the beginning parts of the movie, especially in dark scenes, however, that digital effect eventually disappears during the course of the film. From there, it is pure visual enjoyment.

While the original English dub is included, the primary selling point of this rerelease is the new English dub. Although the original still stands out due to its DTS 5.1 audio, the new English dub breathes new life to this film since it has the same cast as Appleseed: Ex Machina that have revisited the origins of their characters, and thus establishing a continuation with both movies.

FEATURETTE:
The disc also features the same special features that came with the original release, and it is comprised with an audio commentary by Director Shinji Aramaki and Producer Fuhimiko Sori (Vexille, Ping Pong, Ichi), the making of the anime (The Birth of the 3D Live Anime), staff  profiles, disc credits, and in this disc it also has the Alternate English Dub.

CASE IN POINT:
Appleseed is a captivating and serious science fiction filled with action, suspense, and jaw dropping imagery throughout, and this rerelease in high-definition brings it along the same tier as Ex Machina.