Review of Ghost in the Shell (2017) by Michael G — 02 Jun 2017

Ghost in the Shell (2017) had an enormous task. It needed to live up to the legacy of it's franchises name, as well as giving audiences a fresh take on the beloved series. What we ended up getting is an interesting amalgamation of the franchises past, as well as some new story elements not seen before.

The film was advertised as an abstract revenge tale, when it is anything but that. It is a character driven story of self discovery and self actualization, much like the source material. Scarlett Johansson excellently portrays the major in a way not yet seen in the series.

This interpretation is more approachable than in the 95' film which some will either like or hate. She is more relatable in her lonely struggle and has a more satisfying arc. Her supporting cast is also top notch.

Pilou Asbæk as "Batou" and Michael Pitts "Kuze" are highlights. Takeshi Kitano as "Aramaki" is also a complete badass. The direction is excellent. Rupert Sanders takes many of the best aspects of the multiple adaptations and streamlines them into the film.

Most notably the "Stand Alone Complex" anime. Sanders masterfully recreates iconic scenes from the original film that carry weight and narrative purpose. They also are shot beautifully. The spectacle and visuals are undeniably gorgeous.

Similar to Blade Runner but much cleaner. The score by Clint Mansell and Lorne Balfe is very well done and sets a perfect cyberpunk atmosphere. Ghost in the Shell (2017) is a well acted and directed cyberpunk psychological thriller with real heart and gorgeous visuals.

It pays homage to it's predecessors while breaking new storytelling grounds.