Ranked #285

Ghost in the Shell 2.0

They introduced a topnotch 3D CGI tech to the legendary anime, so there's no question about its quality. But viewers may feel uncomfortable with the discontinuity between the new full 3D CG and the original 2D scenes.

Story
It's basically the same as the original one, but the change of Puppet Master's sex brought about slight changes in the voice actings and the atmosphere. Batou didn't show so much jealousy over the relationship between Motoko and the Puppet Master, and the fusion of the two gave a pure impression rather than a sexual association.

Art
There are two full 3D CGI scenes, something similar to the OP animation of the S.A.C1. The quality of the two scenes were awesome in the descriptions of the optical camouflage, air bubbles, reflections in the water etc. etc. But nothing buffered between the neighboring 3D and 2D scenes. You see 3D CG Motoko in a scene and the next moment Motoko is now in 2D animation. I understanding these discontinuities that Director Oshii wanted to show us his partial idea about how ideal GiS looks like.

Sound
SkyWalker sound studio did a terrific job in the sound effects. They were particular about the differences in gun shot sounds. Each gun sounded distinctively different. The sound of Motoko's cyborg body torn up was so real that it gave me goosebumps.

Character
No need to mention the greatness of Motoko, Batou, and Togusa. I focus on Sakakibara Yoshiko as Puppet Master. I think this casting has a good and bad point. Compared to the original actor Kayumi Iemasa, Sakakibara's acting didn't give me much mysteriousness of the character. (Kayumi's low tone acting was perfect for giving an enigmatic impression.) Good thing was it got easier to grasp the idea of the Puppet Master's line "We are mirror images to each other." because Sakakibara's voice resembled Tanaka Atsuko's one in this movie.

Enjoyment
Before I watched this, I tried to memorize the contents of the original one as much as possible. It was so much fun to find changes in the lines and drawings. If you are fun of GiS 1.0, I strongly recommend to watch this remake. You will have a deeper understanding of this legendary title. read more

This film is one of the great influencers of the neo-noir/cyber genera that's been gaining steam since its release. What I find astonishing about this film is just how much of a spiritual successor it is to Blade Runner. I saw Gits about 10 years ago for the first time and it was okay...I had seen the first season of Stand Alone Complex and thought it was far superior aesthetically and in regards to content. Recently, however, I saw Blade Runner for the first time and watching it I was struck by how much commonality Gits shared with this film. So, I watched 2.0 online and I'd like to recommend to any first time viewer or anyone who hasn't seen Blade Runner, watch Blade Runner and THEN watch Gits...it's mindblowing.

Now to the film itself, Gits has many strengths: it's visually beautiful, the soundtrack is haunting and the story is executed at a deliberate pace to give the viewer a chance to ponder the broader questions raised. That being said, a major weakness is the lack of background information and character development: Where did Motoko Kusunagi come from? Why did she go to Section 9? Why does she feel trapped and constrained? These questions aren't really answered, leaving the viewer to fill in the missing pieces (ala Blade Runner); personally I think this movie would have benefitted from extra length to give the viewer an opportunity to connect with Major Kusunagi...the plot is too complicated and rushed. Also, the motivations of the protaganists other than duty for the sake of duty aren't really explained other than "they're bad asses" which, fair enough but some of us want more. The villain is also shadowy (a good thing) and the ending is probably what presents the largest ambiguity to most viewers. My advice is, trying not to spoil things for the people who haven't seen the film, pay attention to the diving scene and the following boat scene...they're important.

I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a film that asks broader questions about existence, identity and where do we come from? and what is human? with a protaganist troubled by these philosophical issues. The action scenes are exhilirating and violent (graphically so) so it does offer set pieces people more accustomed to action might like but this film is dialogue heavy, real heavy. If you're not an amatuer philosopher of existentialism or identity (especially Nitsche...nerds who like him and his adherents will get a kick out of this film) and you are confused by the technological twist applied, look elsewhere...maybe to the series which presents a far less troubled and existential Kusunagi and mainly concerns massive conspiracies and investigations with Gits patented heavy amounts of violence instead of philosophy is more your speed if you like Gits. Personally, I really like both and appreciate what they offer (aside from Cowboy Bebop, Gits is the only anime I watch)...but still, overall prefer the series (although the film version of SAC is inferior to the original in impact, execution and plot development but that being said, it's good too and a good continuation of the series, only a continuation I hope). read more