Ghost In The Shell |
 | Summary:Futuristic action/thriller follows an android carabinieri's attempt to foil a parlous computer criminal. It's stunning pyrotechnics, tauntingly evocative narrative and astonishing animation is compulsory viewing for sci-fi fans; anime viewers seeking officiously-provoking atmosphere/dialouge. |
| Title Aka: | Koukaku Kidoutai |
| Company/Distributors: | Bandai Visual;Manga Entertainment |
| Year: | 1995 |
| Length: | 82 Minutes |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Science Fiction, Action |
| Format: | Feature Film |
| Content Level: |
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| Comments: |
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Synopsis:
Mamoru Oshii's sci-fi endeavor takes place in an alternate plane of reality, one perhaps not much different from our present own; give a couple decades or so. In a land where computers are king, and human comportment is thrown out in place of the 'locum tenens' of AI. "Ghost In The Shell" is a heavily ambitious, cerebral and provoking film about the depths and potential dangers of computerization; as well as it's eminent role through society's miscue. "Section 9" houses the city's finest constables in the forms of major "Mokoto Kusanagi" & her rigid partner "Batou". The fact of the matter is, both of them just happen to be cyborgs; not to mention powerful ones. The film opens with a stylish assassination sequence at the hand of Kusanagi, as we soon learn that the alleged "Puppet Master" is pulling government strings; and the two cops' involvement. And that's just what the two of them are, police officers. Existing within a clever manipulation of buddy film genres; which could in fact sustain heavy taxonomy for anime film making. However, Oshii escapes this conventional label for the offbeat exploration of sci-fi elements; that which make 'Ghost' a complete anime experience. However, it's perhaps only just enough to fill the dark void of imagination here. The film is perhaps one of the most acclaimed animes of all time, obtaining much praise throughout it's initial run, GTS opened a new door for technical anime innovation; establishing a stardard for contemporary sci-fi. Who's origins are recognizable in such Hollywood films like the "Matrix", in my opinion it's something which has the potentiality for a lawsuit, but who's counting style manipulation here. Foremost, Oshii's Ghost is another anime story of cyborg-angst, a genre utilized to much peccancy in recent years; but which can succeed if executed correctly. Oshii almost succeeds remarkably in this science fiction story about human nature. It's a topic not new, but nonetheless always interesting. Review:
For those of you out there who thought even that was harsh (Which I'm sure there are many of), don't at all get me wrong here. "Ghost In The Shell" is truly an astonishing film in it's own right; who's influence is abound and a movie which obtains a sense of true unique atmosphere. Sci-fi elements are commonplace to Ghost In The Shell, not to mention a bit grating parallel to the amazing vision at hand; that for which is reduced considerably amid the confines of convention. I've already mentioned similar anecdotes before, but this is definately king. Dialouge equivalent is as follows: "Neither of us has any idea of what's inside there, so just be careful!", or how about the grating 'tongue-n'-cheek' humor which proceeds nearly every single moment of character dialouge (Please note that I'm referring to the dub version of the film, this goes along w/the notion; the sub & dub are one in the same). You could probably go on for hours w/lists of this or that, but to tell you the truth I'm not really in the mood; this brings us to the key point of the idea. Is that in fact a bad thing for a movie like Ghost In The Shell? To be honest I don't think so, the 'buddy/cop' idealization of Ghost is good for the story and the characters; the problem is the shallow personalities which follow the conceit of branded elements. It could also be greatly argued that this fact is inconsequential, simply because Kusanagi and Batou are cyborgs; in turn they don't have to be human or act like human beings because they are not so. GTS is a very different kind of sci-fi film in that, unlike it's common predecessor "Akira"; the film is full of mostly old people trying to act younger (Mostly the protagonists behind the scenes -- These were younger in films like "Akira", there was a sense of discovery and mystery; here it is a platitude). They ponder soulless anecdotes of technicality and purpose through brusque moments of dialouge, the result is that of a true sci-fi story; however, I'll attempt to cogitate the periods in which I feel the film turns the tide of quality, for a dramatic stunt to the point of over-acheivement. A common yet ambitious problem of form, purpose and place & time. Consider a moment in which a character explains the Puppet Master's history to the chief. This is inappropriate for this point of the film because it has reached beyond the confines of exposition here). However, time is not an essense here since the feelings and emotions of GTS are abysmal in tone and period. There are several aspects of the movie which I feel are remarkable, they continue to enlighten and inspire me both in tone and execution; however, there are many problems I have with this movie which plagues it's sustainable quality. Ghost In The Shell's high moments involve all the fantastic qualities of the medium up to that point, the action has a lot of heart; it's fast, furious and innovative. Unfortunately the concepts in Ghost though moody and provoking, were not. Just consider a key moment in which Kusanagi is explaning human existence to Batou (Who appears rather reserved and mellow at this point of the film). The strong points here are the topics and ideas, but they fall flat on their face due to some unclever execution. Do you really believe that cyborgs would ponder the very essense of human life in the form of compatible commentary, or is that simply a display of programing elements like speech or reaction? I personally don't believe it would occur in this fashion, simply because the notions in Ghost are not clear & are contrived; reminiscent of abstract conception in conventional sci-fi. Unlike Akira, the characters in Ghost In The Shell do not live their ambitions, fears or obligations; they recite them like poem rituals amid backdrops of emptyness (Even Neo-Tokyo deserved better). Next, consider the second big action sequence of the movie. The sci-fi themes are played to huge disposition here, action sequences are like a manga come to life; and the utilization of "wires" prones another thought about Ghost In The Shell. Do you really believe that the sci-fi element here would be played out like in a truck chase sequence? This is a sci-fi element, which holds itself in complete disregard to the fact of the characters' advancement in GTS. They are able to sustain apparition-like conversation with one another; but still utilize the usage of 'wires' and primitive artillery (Minus the dude w/the old-fashioned revolver). This is the main reason why GTS is simply an exposition of technicality and style, never a disposition of feeling or emotion. There are those out there who regard Ghost as a technological groundbreaker and visionary classic. I'm not arguing that, I couldn't be more eager to jump on the band wagon. But I feel the visions and ideas presented by the film are far too great to be expanded or bred to life. The characters in the film mean well but fall short in tone, despite the fact of being what they are; there is never a sense of timing or passion within the story. This movie is remarkable for one thing and one thing only, it's clever ability to enthrall us with it's provoking narrative and humain admission for existence; such topics have been manipulated greatly in animes like "Evangelion", and played to huge exposition here in Ghost In The Shell. It's an 'ill-bred' effort w/style but no heart to support; which if existed, it would be an artificial one. Perhaps computers will never be able to replace the emotional exploration and quality left by real human characters or actors. Many Hollywood hanchos in recent years have both praised and criticized the film. However, if you're not familiar with the medium, this is done out of mere speculation and adulation for the style and talent involved. It's never for the emotion, and when or IF it is; it's a false acknowledgement for the concepts of sci-fi anime as well as anime in general. Such themes have been expanded far beyond this endeavor of angst and vision that is GTS. You see, it's hopeless because even this review sounds contrived; and I wouldn't be surprised if it was. My favorite scene in Ghost In The Shell just happens to be a musical escape complete with a silent observation of art in the form of a city. Kusanagi's expression in this elapsed city moment is both profound and engaging; as sci-fi fans, we are eager to learn what answers await her, as anime fans perhaps we sneer at false but pretty style. And yet, I heavily contradict myself even now. Amid Ghost's scenery and brooding eloquence is the fathomable dialouge; which is almost campy when looked upon correctly. I'm stretching qualities and notions the farthest I can here, so help me. In the dub (Don't worry, I've seen the sub), a character states that: "Even a doll can seem to have a soul". Perhaps the soul and feeling of Ghost are concealed within convention & for that reason, we never really feel close to the characters; I suppose it doesn't really matter though. In the words of one character: "I guess when you start doubting, there's no end to it."
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Like most modern sci-fi anime groundbreakers, GTS obtains great vision; despite all this, there are many reasons why it cannot be a classic in my book. Be prepared for me to contradict here; surprised? It's main plot is heavily centered around the shaply & constantly unclad 'bio-android' "Kusanagi", the film is mainly an exploration of social commentary as well as unique cogitations of human existence. This could be all great & fantastic stuff, but where I feel Ghost fails is perhaps a less distinguishable datum of anime centering around shallow action genres; that for which Ghost In The Shell is nothing more. What I am about to say is not at all contradictory or hypocritical; but I am not surprised to say or believe that Oshii's film is an action movie and nothing more. I will explain this vague notion in further detail (And you thought the storyline of GTS was vague!). First off, this brings up a familiar point I once mentioned about the Rintaro endeavor "X", a CLAMP work which suffers from the same problem as Ghost In The Shell, unnecessary adulation of anime style or character; foremost to the story which should be the foundation of everything in a science fiction movie.