Beginning in 1989, there was a Japanese manga serial by Masamune Shirow. Then in 1995 there was a Japanese anime movie by Mamoru Oshii, said to be one of the best ever in this genre. Now we have a Hollywood remake directed by the British Rupert Sanders.<\/p>\n
I have no familiarity with the original series or anime work, but I understand that this new film is more conventional but also more accessible – dialing down the philosophical considerations but turning up the action sequences. Certainly this is a visually stunning work which constantly reminds one of “Blade Runner” with its Asiatic urban landscape and ubiquitous advertising.<\/p>\n
Set in the not too distant future, the technology has developed which enables a human brain (the ghost) to be implanted into a robotic body (the shell) providing a combination of intuitive thinking and physical toughness that makes the ideal weapon. Major – played by Scarlett Johansson – is the first of her kind, but she is soon involved in a mission of unexpected danger and revelation.<\/p>\n
If we have to have a non-Asiatic actor in this role, Johannsen is perfect, following hard on the heels of her previous other-worldly roles in “Lucy” and “Under The Skin” plus – voice only – “Her”. As the sexiest cyborg since Eva in “Ex Machina” and the most gymnastic female agent since Trinity in “The Matrix”, Major is a force to be reckoned with, but also someone with vulnerabilities as glitches reveal glimpses of her past.<\/p>\n
“Ghost In The Shell” may not be a science-fiction classic, like the aforementioned “Blade Runner” or “The Matrix”, but it is a fine addition to the genre which I thoroughly enjoyed. And it’s tempted me to seek out the anime version …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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