REVIEW: Ghost in the ShellBy Quinn OxleyApril 1, 2017It’s your typical American adaptation.  More action.  Less art.  Less to think about; way easier to understand.

Also way more predictable, but maybe that’s just the cynic in me.

After cybernetic enhancements have pervaded society, we have perfected the cyborg - a completely human brain (“ghost”) in a completely mechanical body (“shell;” get it?).  This is Major, and she uses her superhuman strength to lead a special task force dedicated to stopping terrorists.  And, as usual, something goes wrong, and you can’t trust anyone...

Now, obviously adaptations and remakes beg to be compared to their predecessors, but I also want to give this new Ghost in the Shell a chance to exist in a vacuum as an independent piece.  (The original could be considered… shall we say… cultured viewing?  It’s obscure; that’s what I’m trying to say.)

As its own film, Ghost in the Shell is decent.  Nothing remarkable; nothing that hasn’t been done before, but it’s decent.  Watchable.  Very watchable, actually, as there are some stunningly beautiful scenes to be seen therein.  (I would make a comparison to the original’s incredible animation, but I’m trying to consider this iteration as its own piece, so…)  There is also quite a haunting score at times; it helps to build the atmosphere.

The plot is pretty standard fare.  Suppressed memories in need of remembering; terrorists in need of tracking down; secrets in need of coming to light.  That kind of stuff.  It took a rather heavy philosophical concept and did very little with it, instead settling for the action-heavy approach.  (Again, I can’t compare it to the original, so…)

Is it good, though?

It’s decent.  Very nice to look at (although it should come with a photosensitivity warning) and listen to, but mainly a popcorn flick.  If that’s most of what you want, then by all means, it’s good.

Rating: 6/10

2016 © ScreenFellas Entertainment