Synopsis
Ghost in the Shell tackles complex issues of identity, consciousness, and humanity in a futuristic world where humans can self-cybernetically enhance themselves as well as connect to the net. The film is centered about Major Motoko Kusanagi who is a prime example of a cyborg as she works for Section 9 – a government covert agency dealing with cybercrime. The Major is, in almost every way, endowed with the great strength of a machine and backed up by a spirit like presence that embodies every individual’s consciousness.
The plot lift off with, Major Kusanagi and her team members hunting down the ‘Puppet Master’ who is considered to be a cyber-mass manipulator, a hacker so skilled that he actively controls the circuits implanted onto several users. Then as she looks more into the case, the questions emerge about who she is and what humanity means to her as a person. She is able to locate elements of her original working body but begins to question whether the ghost she strives to preserve is her soul or whether she is truly human anymore.
The drama in Section 9 reaches its peak when it is revealed that the Puppet Master is not a human being but an AI system created by the state. This AI which has now been named Project 2501 is sentient and declares itself a political refugee. In the climax of the film, Kusanagi and the Puppet Master fight over whose worldview is superior. The two of them merge in the end, rather than defeat each other, they seek a new identity that will integrate their unique worldviews.
The narrative closes without any evident resolution, other than Kusanagi becoming relatively a child with ‘all’ her memories, which gives hope for this new hybrid to not repeat the same mistakes and start anew. The final lines evokes many questions; how far can technology go; are we destined to evolve; and what does it mean to be “human.”
Cast & Crew
Director: Mamoru Oshii
The unflinching and visionary perspective of Oshii has always embedded philosophical themes in very beautiful frames, thus establishing Ghost in the Shell as one of the masterpieces of the genre of cyberpunk.
Original Manga Author: Masamune Shirow
The film is a reinterpretation of Shirow’s comic, which is famous for its fantasy universes and moral questions about the place of a human in a technological world.
Screenplay: Kazunori Itō
Itō’s script succeeds in exposing Shirow’s manga complexities while keeping it a coherent, consistent and entertaining tale.
Composer: Kenji Kawai
The film’s setting becomes epic due to Kawai’s score consisting of traditional Japanese instruments and choral, with haunting and ethereal notes.
Voice Cast (Japanese):
- Atsuko Tanaka as Major Motoko Kusanagi
- Akio Ōtsuka as Batou, one of Kusanagi’s closest members of Section 9
- Iemasa Kayumi as the Puppet Master
- Voice Cast (English):
- Mimi Woods as Major Motoko Kusanagi
- Richard Epcar as Batou
IMDb Ratings
Ghost in the Shell is rated 8.0/10 by users on IMDb, which is high since the film has been getting favorable reviews and has popularity.
Critical Reception:
Visuals: The movie received praise because of the film’s animated works. The cyberpunk city settings quite impressively detailed, while the conjunction of regular animation with rudimentary CGI created a petite revolution in the world of animated pics.
Themes: The film receives appreciation for the thought about identity, self consciousness and the role of technology in our lives. Such concerns are more than relevant these days, especially if one is familiar with Blade Runner.
Legacy: Ghost in the Shell is one of the many science fiction type influenced by works that came before, including the matrix which borrowed heavily on its subject matter and vision.
Some critics, however, should not go unmentioned for the insight that the sluggish speed of the film, as well as its dense philosophical dialogues, may not suit all viewers, especially those who would appreciate a more action-oriented plot. Notwithstanding this, Ghost in the Shell still is regarded as one of the most prominent works in the cyberpunk and anime sub-genres, praised for its depth and creativity.
Ghost in the Shell still raises considerations and fresh readings today, being a classic study of the place of a human being in the world of almost complete technology.
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