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Science Fiction Anime Reviews: Ghost in the Shell
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Posted by:
Hollow_Dreamer on Mar 18, 2007
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Ghost in the ShellAs a relative newcomer to the anime genre, this was the first such movie that really blew me away with its deep, moving plot and beautiful imagery.
Although the opening scene does feature nudity (well, almost), and quite a bit of gore, this isn't just a crude way of grabbing attention- it serves as a very useful introduction to the main character (the Major). Of course, it took me a few viewings to realise this, so don't be put off if you don't understand right away.
Plot-wise this film is quite heavy going, and although I had no problem keeping track of events, the underlying metaphors again take a while to spot. However, even the first time, the story is gripping and orignal, and you will want to see it through to its unorthadox, if slightly unsatisfactory ending.
My favourite thing about this film is the breathtaking imagery, which still stands out as above the norm today. The shots of the bright, shining city contrasting with the stagnant decay that undercuts the whole of civilisation is both beautiful to look at and thought-provoking.
There are many points in the film in which the Major appears to be naked; however, she is actually wearing a skintight suit of "thermoptic camouflage". Although this may be viewed by some as an excuse to have an almost-naked woman blowing stuff up instead of a clothed one, it serves rather to heighten the Major's (and all human's) vulnerability, and how sometimes shedding one's outermost defences can bring more protection. Yeah, it took me a few viewings to figure this out, but it does give the film another subtle philosophical message, which I find quite impressive.
The characters are very well developed, and I personally prefer the film's versions of them to that of the Stand Alone Complex, as they are developed far more subtly.
Although the Americanised dub is quite good, you really ought to watch this with the Japanese voice to get the full, original meaning that the director intended. That said, I thought that the American voices were very well suited to the characters; it's just that some of the meaning is probably lost in altering the script to make it more suitable for a Western audience. The music is consistantly good, occasionally rising to great, although it never stands out as anything too special.
So, overall, this is a beautiful and thought-provoking film, that still stands head and shoulders above most anime in terms of maturity of content and visual techniques. It is an amazing, haunting film, and deserves your audience. Just don't expect to get it the first time round.
This was adapted from my own review that I submitted to Amazon.co.uk. If you would like to read more of my reviews, you can find them at www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A2PHU2SGLJN2UL. Please note I go by a different pseudonym on Amazon ^_^
(Click on images to view fullsize) ![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]() ![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]()
![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]() ![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]()
![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]() ![Click to view fullsize image for Ghost in the Shell]()
The views expressed on WatchAnimeOnline.com are in no way associated with the creator of Ghost in the Shell, its publisher or any of its subsidiaries.
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