Review of Ghost in the Shell (2017) by Evld — 03 Apr 2017

If your only exposure to this property is the 1995 animated film, you likely love it for the thought-provoking philosophy. If you are a fan on the anime series, you likely love the characters and tone.

This film is faithful visually and tonally to the anime series, which pays homage to the 1995 animated film here and there. It is not a retelling of the 1995 film, or any one anime episode plot. This stands faithfully shoulder to shoulder with the anime properties, but is westernized and simplified in its approach to philosophy.

Great score, great casting (even the Major), faithful tone and character relationships, and one of the best live action adaptations of any animated property. On it's own merits, it will pale in comparison to the 1995 animated film, which is smarter and methodical in its exploration of the existential questions it asks.

This is a sci-fi-fi action film that plays it safe, but establishes characters we love with origin stories we hadn't seen before. Most of the flak this release is getting is by people who want it to have the philosophical sophistication and weight of the 1995 film (or upset ScarJo is white).

The anime series didn't tackle such heady themes, and likewise this release doesn't either. It's an origin story that predates the events of the anime, and doesn't have any complimentary qualities to the 1995 original film.

You won't be disappointed if you appreciate the anime series. This is faithfully executed, so long as you base your comparisons on the series and not the 1995 original.