Amazon.com essential video: The skillful blending of drawn animation and computer-generated imagery excited anime fans when this science fiction mystery was released in 1995: many enthusiasts believe Ghost suggests what the future of anime will be, at least in the short term. The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when an unnamed government uses lifelike cyborgs or "enhanced" humans for undercover work. One of the key cyborgs is The Major, Motoko Kusanagi, who resembles a cross between The Terminator and a Playboy centerfold. She finds herself caught up in a tangled web of espionage and counterespionage as she searches for the mysterious superhacker known as "The Puppet Master."
Mamoru Oshii directs with a staccato rhythm, alternating sequences of rapid-fire action (car chases, gun battles, explosions) with static dialogue scenes that allow the characters to sort out the vaguely mystical and rather convoluted plot. Kusanagi's final quote from I Corinthians suggests that electronic evolution may compliment and eventually supplant organic evolution. The minor nudity, profanity, and considerable violence would earn Ghost in the Shell at least a PG rating. --Charles Solomon
The definitive transcendental science fiction film. Believe it or not, there is still a large portion of the general public that believes that animation is a genre of entertainment that is for children. One shot of this classic cyberpunk anime would kill that notion dead. "Ghost in the Shell" is to anime what The Matrix is to Hollywood: a modern classic science fiction masterpiece that defines the genre and even transcends it with a spectacular relevance to both the present and future of humanity's technological advances. GITS can easily stand alongside the the best works of the genre and is absolutely required viewing for fans of sci-fi. Combining the classic themes of artificial intelligence run wild, synthetic humanity, and cyberspace and adding in touches of noir, espionage, action, fantastic visual effects, and a unique overall sensibility GITS delivers in every sense.
The tale begins with the top secret Section 9's star agent, a cyborg nicknamed The Major, carrying out one of the coolest assassinations in film history to prevent the possible defection/abduction of a technician with some very sensitive information. In addition, a criminal hacker known as The Puppet Master has began hacking the cyberbrains of humans with cybernetic implants and using them for dubious purposes. As the plot thickens we find that espionage is only the beginning and that indeed we may be looking at the final step in the evolution of human and machine alike. But before the heavy existential philosophy fully kicks in there are some seriously killer action sequences to enjoy. GITS is heavy on nudity and has a few shots of seriously brutal gore to sate your bloodlust (or regular lust, you pervert), but neither are a good reason to see this film. A story that makes you seriously question the value of your own humanity and existence is a success any way you look at it and that's what this anime offers in part. A side-by-side comparison of the data that defines each and every one of our identities with the data that could make up a virtual entity yields few meaningful differences, especially in a future where humans routinely replace their bodies and even their brains with artificial ones. And should the data that makes up a virtual existence find a way to integrate itself into another similar being and create a third being mixing traits of both parent entities, is that any different from our physical reproduction and evolution? Indeed, what is to there to stop us as beings comprised entirely of information from simply ceasing physical existence altogether and taking to the limitless depths of the net itself? This is what great science fiction is made of.
As human and computer become more and more compatible with one another it will be extremely interesting to see what the future holds. GITS has spawned a Blade Runner-esque direct sequel, a much lighter-themed television series, and another movie based on the television series. All are good, but none has captured the sheer originality and brilliance of the original. The relevance of this work will never be diminished and the subtle but poignant political and social commentary is there if you want it. Read between the lines of the opening text's explication that in spite of the advances in technology and communication racial and national distinctions remain for a little personal philosophy suggesting that such meaningless distinctions may have overstayed their usefulness. And being as that is the case, perhaps the answers to humanity's problems lie in leaving physical and geographical differences behind altogether and creating an existence for humanity that is a bit more more....infinite. Food for thought.
A masterful film gets an above average Special Edition The film receives the highest possible figure on any scoring system from me. From the smooth and vibrant animation, the well developed characters and smooth pacing, the great direction and the atmosphere it creates, the stunning suggestions of the future and their execution, the action and the intrigue, and of course the philosophical musings and the concepts they explore with quite a bit of depth..it's all near perfect.
This particular DVD release of said film gets a 4/5. There are some very good things about this package, but there are also some very glaring flaws. You would think Manga Entertainment would give the utmost care to any and all releases pertaining to such an acclaimed and important film. That they wouldn't have very bland disc art or flimsy image quality on the free poster inside.
But they do. The discs are horrid looking. It's quite a shame, since the rest of the packaging is quite nice. The digipak is shimmery and attractive and the slipcase around it eye-catching. The disc content itself is very nice, the menus do not disconnect from the mood of the film. The extras are quite dated compared to the film, but that's one of the reasons why the film is great. There's lots of extras here, but the second disc's space is mostly taken up by an elaborate maze of advertising.
The new cleaned up version of the film is done quite well. What's new? Nothing is inserted, nothing is altered. The color and sharpness is enhanced and film spots are taken away. Purists take no fear, it is the original film with slight enhancements for the better. Should you buy this? Only if you can't stand to wait for a better edition to come (which is only eventual given the historical importance of GITS). It's quite perfect for those die-hards who really can't wait, because the new transfer really does look kickass on the home screen.
most overated anime movie of all time The only reason I am even commenting on a movie that I care so little for, is its unanimous praise. This is not just a review on "Ghost in the Shell", but a critique on the wider world of anime. As a long time student of illustration and fan of 2D animation, I can honestly say that this movie encapsulates everything that is wrong with anime and its fans. As in most touted anime films, most of the animation and set design of this movie are excellent. The basic plot is also highly creative. These have never been weak elements in anime. The problem is that fans and creators of anime obsess over these things and forget that they are not what carry a film, characterization and human expression carry a film. Whether animated or live action, characterization and a dynamic between characters are what draw a viewer in. The problem with this is that actors emote with there face, and anime characters have stone-dead ones for some reason. It is predictable and excruciating how characters in "Ghost in the Shell", and all anime films, will be allowed to monotonally dribble lines back and forth at each other for minutes at a time with less emotion than a crash test dumby; there mouths will part and unpart robotically, while there faces and eyes do nothing. If there faces do do anything, they are forced and exaggerated attempts at suprise, pain, or fright. The great Disney animators understood that for every word a person speaks, there is an elaborate dance that takes place within the structures of the face. This is why there is more humanity in any one disney character than all of the anime characters you will ever watch. People like anime because they appreciate 2D animation as a form of moving paintings and want it to be more than a vehicle for children's cartoons. The truth is, this movie is no more than a contrived meditation on artificial intelligence and existentialism. Most anime movies are contrived meditations at best and senseless filth at worst. This is how it will remain until anime animators and writers understand that 2D animation will not hide there inadequacies, only bring them out.
GitS purchase Awesome movie! If anyone is an anime fan this is required viewing. Don't miss out on one of the best anime films out there!
Excellent transaction I liked the movie, if you like Princess Mononoke, then you may like this science fiction movie done with the same style of animation and computer graphics, new DVD came in excellent condition.
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