Review of Ghost in the Shell (1995) by Noah A — 18 Jan 2015

Review In A Nutshell:

I have always felt that animation is the perfect medium to tell stories that would be ridiculously difficult to convey in live-action. Films like Ghost in the Shell, at least at the time of its release, was a perfect example, introducing audiences to a complex and bizarre world, filled with characters that are built beyond the technology and minds that were present at the time; we had the imagination, we simply couldn't figure out how to bring it to life. In present day, we find new "toys" in technology-based convention, revealing a new stepping stone for our future, creating things that are so advanced that if one tells the people from the past about it; they would laugh and think that person is crazy. The same goes for cinema, the medium has grown over the years, now with new ways to experience the medium that heightens our senses and improves the overall enjoyment. Ghost in the Shell may not have broken any major grounds from a technical stand point, but as a thematic and visual experience, it opened the minds of its viewers; displaying science fiction that both felt familiar and original.

I found multiple aspects Ghost in the Shell's overall story to be convoluted, diving into the finer details of the rules of its world, blending in both science and politics in a way that rarely ever felt accessible. The film also drops the ball in developing its protagonist, initially hooking its audience in with intelligent insight on the character, but then slowly abandons it as the film progresses in order for the focus to remain on the film's driving plot revolving around "The Puppet Master". From a shallow standpoint, the film does succeed, creating an action packed story that demonstrates the ambition in imagination of its director and animators. The filmmakers perfectly capture the amazing and breathtaking capabilities of its protagonist, without having to create unnecessary action set-pieces that purely aim to display them; all of the film's action remains intact with the film's plot, which is rare nowadays. I was also swept away by the world that the filmmakers have created, a blend that takes influences from films like Blade Runner and Robocop, a grimy look of urban society, stripped of culture and diversity; a look that would then go on to influence films like The Matrix and video games like the Metal Gear Solid franchise.

Ghost in the Shell is a film that tackles ambitious and bold ideas but narrates them in such a way that is difficult to comprehend; but the film does make up for it with stunning and inspiring visuals that could easily leave one in complete awe.