DVD | Ghost In The Shell 2

Rating: M - Contains Violence.
Duration: 99 mins
Genre : Anime
Actors: N/A
Release Date: Available now.

Mamoru Oshii's landmark Anime film, Ghost in the Shell helped define the cyberpunk genre and was a contributing influence to the Matrix films. The sequel, Ghost In The Shell 2 sees Batou, Major Kusanagi's former assistant, teamed up with a human partner; Togusa.

Together they are ordered to investigate a series of murders involving personal robots. More Bladerunner than iRobot, Ghost 2 is a visual feast with a blend of 2D and 3D animation, and a mixture of artistic styles. Imagination is the key, animation the canvas, and Ghost 2 is a truly remarkable work of art.

But like any work of art, its beauty can only be seen by those that enjoy the style, and fans of traditional movies will find the plot confusing and some what slow. Totally mind bending in places, the storyline sometime staggers along, with huge gaps between the anticipated action scenes.

Having not seen the original, I can’t comment on similarities, or if this, like the Matrix sequels, fails to deliver. What I can say is that it is full of compelling imagery, if not an entertainment extravaganza. And probably a very valid entry point into the world of Anime.

What Ghost 2 has over some other Anime styles is a style that has a more serious tone, that can be sometimes lacking. Many Japanese plots seem to get lost in the translation and end up cheesy and unintentionally funny. Not so Ghost.

Despite being an animation, this is at times a very violent movie with some brief nudity, and a message that is confusing, though it does briefly bring to the fore the subject of child exploitation.

Food for thought
What is reality? A number of scenes in this movie will have you thinking ‘what the?’ and like in the Matrix, reality isn’t always what it seems.
Does technology help or hinder us?
Can machines have a soul?