Review of Ghost in the Shell (2017) by Hmsimha — 06 Apr 2017

Based on the low review scores, and lack of buzz I went into this movie not expecting much, and the nearly empty theatre we arrived to didn't offer any additional encouragement.

What I got was potentially the most visually stunning movie I've ever seen, evocative of Blade Runner, but with effects that every advantage of the 35 years of filmmaking technology since its release. The 3D was utterly stunning.

What it had in style, it may have fallen short of in substance. The trailers gave away the main plot point, which would have been predictable anyway. In some ways it fell short of the original anime. And of course there are the understandable criticisms about the casting decisions that seem to be hurting it more than anything else.

Which is a shame, because taken at face value, Ghost in the Shell's visual appeal – the eery ambience of a futuristic city cluttered with vaporeal holograms in which it takes place, the uncanny valley of fusion between man and machine it explores, and the mastery of 3D space it exudes (so convincing I found myself both dodging projectiles and craning to get a better view) – make up for all its shortcomings in spades.