Notable Cast: Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, Iemasa Kayumi,
Koichi Yamadera, Yutaka Nakano, Tamio Ohki, Tessyo Genda, Masakazu Namaki
There are films and stories that are meant to be franchised
and serialized, and as the film industry grows and intellectual property
expands, it’s always looking to mine material for the next big ‘thing.’ Perhaps
one of the most fascinating franchises, though, is Ghost in the Shell.
On paper, it makes sense. Cyberpunk aesthetics, a strong,
layered lead character, the possibility of ensemble storytelling, and a world
that demands exploration for its themes of cybercops, hackers, and political
corruption. Yet, in revisiting Mamoru Oshii’s iconic 1995 anime, the film seems
uninterested in using its story and characters to craft ‘episodes’ that adhere to a more mainstream narrative. Instead, he uses the manga launch point to craft a
truly existential experience, philosophically analyzing the relationship
between organic and inorganic, the soul and programming, and whether humanity
has a future in its own destiny.
Gorgeously animated, impressively written, and anxiously
crafted to compel its audience to ask questions, Ghost in the Shell is
the kind of film that would push its audience intellectually rather than guide
them to entertainment. It’s the kind of artistic merit that makes it a science
fiction icon, rising above its genre trappings and elevating it to something
far more universal. It’s truly next-level filmmaking.