Reviews

This visually stunning, high-minded anime explores the nature of human identity in a near-future world where cybernetic implants, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality mean even one’s own memories can’t be trusted. If you are defined by your memories, and your memories are altered or even deleted like a file on a computer, then are you still you? What happens if a computer program becomes self-aware? Is it alive? Can the human “soul” live on if all its surrounding flesh (including its brain) is replaced by cybernetic housing, like a “ghost” in a shell? Could a self-aware computer program and a digitized human soul procreate and join the wheel of evolution? These and other existential questions define “cyberpunk,” a sub-genre of science fiction further demonstrated in William Gibson’s novel Neuromancer, and in films like Blade Runner, The Matrix and relative unknown Dark City. Though I’d recommend Ghost in the Shell for raising these issues alone, it does have some weaknesses. First, the voice acting, while above average for anime, is dragged down by the stiff performance of thelead actress. Second, the plot is so unnecessarily complicated that I suggest watching/reading all the available Special Features before viewing the film (don’t worry, it won’t spoil it.) Finally, underwritten and impatient with its own intellectual and spiritual themes, Ghost in the Shell at times resorts to distracting philosophical monologues. This could have been avoided with deeper characterization of the lead characters and further development of their relationships to each other. Despite its flaws, Ghost in the Shell is a great anime if only a good film. (B-)