Ghost in the Shell

Disclaimer: Old fart sci-fi / fantasy fan, and I don't know a thing about the original anime or anime in general. Two things i do know:

First, this is more than just first-rate eye candy and directing, it has heart and soul and that bittersweet feeling that anyone who has any of the first two will instantly understand and be drawn to.

Second, 6.5 stars (Jan 2017) is a crime against this film. Surely there is some exterior reason the haters are going after it. I predict 5 years from now, it's true quality will be more accurately reflected. I'd wager it might even make it to the top 250 list someday.

I don't know what's all about the negative reviews. Go make your own movie and stop whining like dishonest little brats! I'm not saying it doesn't have flaws, it's just a great sci-fi movie, again, IT'S A MOVIE, it's made to be entertained.

It's a perfect adaptation of many scenes from the 1995 anime and others with some ideas from the manga. It is anime translated into a live-action big buster Hollywood movie, get over the false drama queens that say it is white washing as there is even Beat Kitano, a renown Japanese actor and he is only speaking Japanese with English subs! I would add that the result is a good example on how to "Hollywood-wash" an entire anime series better than anything else. Great stuff overall, go see it, if you like sci-fi, it won't be disappointing!

Simplified? Yes. Stupified? No! imho a beautifully crafted cyberpunk movie that while it does not reach to the levels of complexity of the original anime, it stand it's ground and deliver a great audiovisual experience with a story that is sophisticated enough to rise above most Hollywood movies today but not that much to alienate more mainstream viewers. This is greatly underrated because it had to stand in the unfair comparison of the anime. I don't believe it is possible to replicate animes so just go and see it for what it is. A great cyberpunk Hollywood production. It is rare for Hollywood to treat it's original material with respect while trying to simplify it to reach a bigger audience.

Seriously disturbing trend with these reviews. If you love the original, you write a bad review. If you you know nothing of the original, this is a great movie. What I do not understand is why you would expect this to be a copy of the original. This is a big Hollywood movie. The campaign against it is idiotic. Go watch the original and stop leaving reviews that add nothing to the conversation except "oh it's not anime so it sucks". It is made for the masses and not fanboys. Sorry.

We live in a society that assumes being overcritical means showing a display of intelligence. Don't let this film be tarnished by that fad.

I will do my best to make this short and sweet. (Probably not)

READ: (For those who HAVEN'T seen the original films)

This film is a fantastic example of a film that is complex yet simple. I expected the worst from the film and I received more. I won't lie to you and tell you this film is on par with something like The Matrix (the original was) but it is well worth seeing and stands out as unique. We all know that's nearly impossible to do these days. Please take this into consideration and go to see the film with no expectations. You'll be surprised that way.

READ: (For those who HAVE seen the original films)

I'm sorry this film wasn't everything we dreamed it would be, but can we honestly act surprised when Hollywood screenwriters avoid immensely complex story arches? They have simplified this story for the masses in the same way The Lord of the Rings was simplified for the masses. If you spend your time comparing this film with the originals you will come up short, every time. This is NOT the original film, this is its own film that you need to appreciate as it stands (I know that is difficult, believe me). If you haven't already seen it, please take my word for it and go in with no expectations, go in cold (like it is a new experience).

(Final Comments)

I take user reviews to heart for movies. I appreciate the opinions of the people more than I appreciate the opinions of the paid critics. Seeing a 6.9 as the current user score (as of March 31st) is unfortunate, because this film captures EVERYTHING that Ghost in the Shell was and thanks to this film IS CURRENTLY. As a film it stands strong in the Sci-Fi genre and does manage to still be thought-provoking. Please consider taking your time before giving it a low rating.

Understand that the talents that put this film together adopted this baby from its original developers and they did NOT destroy it, as some over-exaggerators may proclaim. "The Last Airbender" - THAT is an example of something being destroyed. GHOST IN THE SHELL stands still intact. Of course it isn't as fleshed out and philosophical as the original film (which paid an immaculate amount of attention to detail and information) but it DOES live in the same world and it DOES tell the same story. I promise you that if it HAD stayed completely with the script of the animated film, it would be getting attacked for being an unnecessary remake or overly complicated.

I've given this an 8 out of 10 because I see 6 as mediocre and 10 as a perfect film. 8 is somewhere in between. I do not believe this is the best adaption or sci-fi film I've seen, but it was enjoyable and much pain-staking work was put into it... that shows when you watch it. Don't be entirely emotional about the way you view this movie. Watch it for what it is, not what it is in comparison.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it. Take the time to see this movie and take your time before rating it. Really chew on it first, because it deserves better than it is receiving.