Appleseed UK DVD Details

Date: 2005 August 17 16:29

Posted by Joe

Those nice people from Optimum Releasing have sent us the press release for the UK release of Appleseed the movie, the recent CGI version of Masamune Shirow's popular manga title. The DVD version will be available in a limited edition steel tin as well as conventional DVD from 19th September and also on UMD for the Sony PSP from 31st October.

The press release also mentions a cinema release from 19th of August, we suggest that our readers who can get to the UGC Shaftesbury Avenue and UGC Glasgow check the film out while they can.

Full Story

Press release as follows:

MASAMUNE SHIROW'S
APPLESEED
OUT TO OWN ON LIMITED EDITION STEEL TIN DVD FROM SEPTEMBER 19th
AND PLAYSTATION PORTABLE UMD FROM OCTOBER 31st

"A stunning visual achievement- it's a new milestone for CG animation"
John Woo

Appleseed is a cutting edge production that uses state of the art technology and 3DCG to produce one of the most visually arresting and hyper-realistic animations to date. The brainchild of leading anime creator Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell), Appleseed is a post-apocalyptic science fiction epic brimming with fast-paced action and awe-inspiring visuals. The film will be released on DVD on September 19th and the new UMD format for Sony PlayStation Portable from October 31st.

It's 2131 AD and the future of the human race hangs in the balance. Female soldier Deunan Knute has survived a major war that has pushed the earth to the brink of destruction. Located in a bombed-out urban wasteland, Deunan is transported to the Utopian city of Olympus and reunited with her former lover Briareos whose body is now half man, half cyborg. In Olympus City, half the population is made up of Bioroids, a genetically engineered species with a limited life span who are designed without unstable human emotions in order to create a peaceful society and protect the remaining members of the human race.

In utopia, however, all is not as it seems. A group of rebel humans, who perceive bioroids as a threat to the integrity and future of mankind, try to sabotage the Olympus city computer and destroy the ability to re-activate the bioroid reproductive functions. As Deunan battles to stop the terrorists and find the 'Appleseed' data needed to extend bioroid life, the question of who she can trust and who is actually right- their society, or the terrorists- continues to arise.

Directed by Shinji Aramaki, Appleseed uses full CGI to allow for dynamic camera movements that enhance the action sequences. Characters are also in full CG, however, using a process called 'toonshading' characters retain an unmistakable 'cell anime look'. The film is based on Masamune Shirow's best-selling manga of the same title, which was first printed in 1985 and has since been translated and sold to numerous countries across the globe.

With some breath-taking action sequences and a fantastic soundtrack that includes the likes of Basement Jaxx, Paul Oakenfold and Ryuichi Sakamoto, Appleseed has generated enough interest worldwide to make it one of the most talked about animated films of recent times.

UMD (Universal Media Disc) is the new portable format designed exclusively for Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP). The newly developed UMD is the next-generation high capacity optical medium for movies and other digital content. At 60mm in diameter, the UMD can store up to 149 minutes of film, making it perfect for the PlayStation portable entertainment player. This multi-media handheld device will be launched on September 1st in the UK and Appleseed will be the first UMD to be released by Optimum.

http://www.appleseedthemovie.com

Appleseed theatrical release from August 19th

Special Features

- Limited Collector's Edition Steel Tin packaging

Disc 1

The Film with optional DTS or Dolby 5.1 on both language tracks
Audio Commentary by Director and Producer

Disc 2

Featurette 'The Birth of 3D Live Anime' 35 min
Image Archive
Staff Profiles
Trailers

Catalogue Number: OPTD0238
Running Time: 105 mins approx
RRP: £19.99
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS on both Japanese with English subtitles and English dubbed language tracks
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen