Review of Ghost in the Shell (2017) by Meritcoba — 08 Apr 2017

So what to think of this movie that is created in the shadow of a popular predecessor(currently 8.0 on imdb)? I would almost say: don't do it. It is what I would say when planning a remake of Old Boy or a squel to Trainspotting, Blade Runner or any iconic movie. Don't do it. But I have to admit that I am curious about the sequel to Blade Runner nevertheless. Maybe it isn't going to be as bad as I fear?

So what about a remake of Ghost in the Shell?

Well, I have yet to see the original, so I can not compare it to that one, and that is fine. This movie, with Scarlet Johannson in the role of Major Mika Killian, a cybernetic lifeform with only her brain being human, is on the face of it an action movie with some depth. Personally I think the the second half of the movie shows some more depth, with the Major being more on the path of self discovery, than the first half. Some scenes I did find touching. Personally I liked Pilou Asbaek as Bayou.

There is certainly some room for criticism, specifically in the way that they hammer in what they mean with the word ghost. Yes.. yes.. we know, you don't have to repeat it over and over throughout the film. Also, while I don't think that Johannson is miscast, I do think that she is also not well cast either. She gives a good performance, as might be expected, but every time she walks out into the rain I expected the black from her hair to wash out to show she is really a blond. No, it isn't that what bothers me specifically, just that she felt out of place at times. It would have been better if they had chosen someone like Maggie Q or Kim So-yeon. Not because she has to be an asian, but because if a big part of your movie is asian and plays in a seemingly asian town, then why make the lead not asian. Seems to make more sense?

Also the first half of the story the good guys are pitted against an adversaries who is one step ahead of them, but in the second half this suddenly changes. Maybe the most criticism can be levelled at the pace of the movie. It takes little time to reflect on things and have some silent moments(there is however a great one)something that the anime Ghost in the Shell 2 has(it is the one that I did see).

Conclusion.

A fair action movie with nice visuals and superficial depth, but a bit hampered by not daring to delve more deeper and not attempting to stand out. As such it is more a mainstream action movie than anything else and thus eventually it will probably be remembered as that other Ghost in the Shell movie.