Review of Ghost in the Shell (2017) by Whoever13 — 29 Apr 2017

All shell, no ghost.

Ghost in the Shell is a huge disappointment for anybody looking for smart sci-fi. The plot is cliché, the characters flat and the direction lacks energy throughout. While the set-design and visual effects are indeed stunning, they are mere rehashes from its source material and other sci-fi classics, most notably Blade Runner. Unfortuantely the director, Rupert Sanders, finds no way to make the retro-futuristic aesthetics of the film relevant to todays audience, nor does he find a universal and timeless quality in it.

What's even more heartbreaking: The film is utterly uninterested in the exploration of any of its source material's fascinating ideas. This becomes painfully obvious in the pseudo-philosophical voice-over.

Even as an action-film, Ghost misses the mark, as the action scenes, while beautifully shot and spectacularly choreographed, somehow fail to thrill or excite. The matter-of-fact professionalism in the characters' behaviour and their over-the-top skills and abilities create a weirdly unthrilling experience.

The performances throughout lack energy and personality and enhance the tedium of the predictable story.

All in all: Rupert Sander's Ghost in the Shell fails to evoke any emotion or thought, which is even more disappointing given its stellar looks and inspired source material.