Ghost in the Shell

11 reviews - 43.5 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.0)

11. Chris

This is one of those movies that is considered "essential viewing" for anime fans, thus why I watched it. I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. Sure, there was some interesting ideas in it, and the animation was quite good, but I just didn't feel that the movie explored the concepts as well as other series have. It may have been the first, but I feel that is certainly wasn't the best.

As a plus, this series really helped pave the way for other series I like, so you do have to give it some credit for that ;-)

10. Marshal of Manga

The story is nothing special, but the questions and ideas it raises are very thought provoking to say the least. Is existence and humanity centred on the fact that we are aware of our own existence? Without our souls (or 'ghosts') and memories, are we simply empty shells? Can life develop sporadically from artificial intelligence, and if this life form did come about, just how 'human' will it be? Where are the boundaries between mind and soul, reality and fantasy, human and artificial life forms?

Stunning visuals are a good reason to enjoy this movie, though the music is rather annoying - it was excruciating sitting through the opening credits with the music in the background; almost like sitting in a torture chamber waiting for something life-defining to happen.

You'll need your brain functioning at full capacity to understand this, and you're most likely going to have repeat viewings so it's value for money.

9. Yogi

As a parable regarding technology and the soul I found this to be somewhat . . . lacking. Perhaps I expected a little too much from it, but the philosophical issue it tackles was a bit too much for its short running time. That’s not including the time spent on the action sequences as well as the political maneuvering between the various groups. This anime attempts a bit too much for it’s running time, and so doesn’t really do well in any of them.

8. Tyrenol

Motoko Kusanagi is 90% android; her brain is the only humane piece of humanity left. She's part of an elite force within the government known as "Section 8." Their job is to capture or eliminate any super-hackers that commit themselves to the dark side of the future's technological advances. But then again, as the entity known as the "Puppet Master" makes the scene, nothing is as it really seems to be anymore.

If Neon Genesis Evangelion can be known as the highest form of anime creation during the 90's; GitS can be known as the one of the most marketable. Despite being so dark and such a "techno-gibberish-filled sleeper," this is actually one of the best anime movies I've seen. And with a TV series either planned out already out; there's hope that the anime world can flock to something with a lot more well-roundedness and a lot less disgust.

7. Jin

Ghost in the Shell is a sight to behold. The animation quality is what you would expect from an anime movie and then some more. While having such high quality animation the animation suffers from very strange sequences. Such as being in a very dark alley type area and then just pushing the viewer into an extremely open area with lots of sunlight. Those scenes don't tend to mesh too well but it is only noticable in the first scene or so. Aside from the excellent animation the plot is pretty good also. While it does leave you questioning the very existance of things the overall story will leave you saying what else is there? What else is it about? While it doesn't capture the emotional aspects you would feel from other anime it is a good storyline. The music is great also in creating a sense of "awe" almost. Good anime that most people might want to pick up.

6. Leliel

Equal parts existential philosophy and cyberpunk action, GiTS is a drawn-out thinking man's style of movie that finishes far too soon for my liking. Set in the ultrawired Hong Kong of the near future, the cyborg leader of a government special ops team contemplates the meaning of humanity, spirituality, and life in general... all the while pursuing a rogue hacker who always seems one step ahead. High-tech toys like heroine Kusanagi's thermoptic camouflage (CG-assisted invisibility) make the action scenes a real treat. The overlying theme of mankind's relationship with its machines comes up again and again. As the title indicates, mind/body (Cartesian) dualism is touched upon. If all this sounds like a lot to cram into less than an hour and a half, well, it is. There are a lot of segments without any dialogue at all, most notably a long interlude in the middle where Kusanagi rides a boat through a canal, watching the streetlife, seeing other (presumably) cyborgs and a fashion store mannequin with the same frame and appearance as her body. You have to wonder what she's thinking to herself.

The heavenly Kawai Kenji is in fine form, mixing ambient synthesizers and Noh theater chants. GiTS is a big-budget production and it never went to waste. There are computer graphics representing the wired world, as to be expected, but this is certainly some of the best early CG-assisted animation. A bus in the aforementioned interlude is one of the most beautifully done buses ever. It's also one of the most enjoyable English dubs I've had the pleasure of hearing; the oft-heard criticism of wooden acting falls flat when you realize they're playing cyborgs...

5. bremmi

This is easily the movie that I have watched most often, just because it is so cool. The action is very fast paced, the Major is a total (cyborg) babe, and the story is excellent. The soundtrack is truly amazing as well--during a few of the scenes, the dialogue just stops and is replaced by music and the camera pans over the entire city and its inhabitants. These are among my favorite scenes in all anime, even though they are hardly essential to the actual story. A must see for sci-fi fans.

4. AgtFox

A great beginner's anime. The animation is great, as is the music. The pacing of the story is fast enough to keep you involved. Another one of the sci-fi/technology-based anime that seem to do pretty well on my scores. This was one of the first anime movies I watched and it was a catalyst for my interest in anime today. Great action sequences and a lot of interaction between the main characters. Character feelings are well thought out in this movie and that just adds to the storytelling. A great addition to your DVD library if you're into it.

3. weasl

One of the premier anime titles, Ghost in the Shell is a great way to introduce people to anime. It's beautifully animated with a lot of great little details that you just don't see in the smaller budget pictures. Also of special note is Kenji Kawai's excellent soundtrack. Classic sci-fi action, this is a must have for any true anime fan.

2. Tempy

There's lots to like about Ghost in the Shell. Boasting excellent artwork and animation, it seems to have it all. There are a couple of excellent action sequences, and the plot also frequently goes into philosophical sci-fi territory. That said, its impact is less than I expected, and doesn't come near to the emotions and impact evoked by my favorite anime titles which include Macross Plus, Rurouni Kenshin OVA and Wings of Honneamise. Still, Ghost in the Shell is a title well worth looking at, and greatly appreciated.

1. cron

This is one of those anime that's an instant classic. Our protagonist is a female cyborg cop(Major Motoko) that leads a police section in the investigation of a hacker by the name of "Puppet master". The "Major" starts to question her own soul and existence (referred to as "Ghost") during the investigation and from there we are drawn into the main plot. I really enjoyed Ghost in the Shell and hope they will continue because of the release of the second manga. It has some great action sequences with a decent plot and some very cool character/world/mecha design.