Ghost in the Shell (GITS) was a manga series originally created by Masamune Shirow in 1989 that eventually gave rise to a series of films, OVAs, animes, and even a live-action adaptation. The first anime film in the franchise, Ghost in The Shell from 1995, is the one that achieved the most success among audiences and critics alike and is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Japanese animation.
Before influencing Blade Runner, The Matrix, and even other unexpected aspects of pop culture, the big ideas behind Ghost in the Shell were completely new, and practically no one had any idea of the impact they would have on the cultural landscape.
Even the premise behind Altered Carbon, which was recently released on Netflix and features mind transmission across various bodies, was completely influenced by GITS, which is yet another example of how the film continues to be a source of inspiration and how relevant it still is today.
Synopsis of the movie Ghost in the Shell
The film is set in 2029, which in the 80s seemed like a distant future, but today is just a decade away. It is an era in which some multinational corporations have practically dominated the world, and the borders between countries are no longer as well-defined as they are today. It is in this world with a poorly defined physical space that humans coexist with robots and some people are so cybernetically modified that the line between man and machine is so thin that it often seems to disappear.
One of these enhanced humans is Major Motoko, who has so many modifications to her body that only her “soul” is still “original.” In the film, she and the other members of Section 9 try to investigate how the black hat hacker known as the Puppet Master, who is much more than he seems at first glance, uses cyberspace to hack into the minds of humans to achieve his goals.
Highlights of Ghost in The Shell
The film raises several questions about the true nature of artificial intelligence and the likely future that awaits us if it is indeed developed to superhuman levels.
Various philosophical aspects are addressed regarding how memories make us who we are and what truly makes us human. Without major spoilers, the small arc of the film related to the truck driver is one of the saddest and densest moments that a film has ever been able to show, and it is practically impossible for its story not to remain forever in the mind of anyone who watches the film.
The entire plot takes place in a futuristic Japan, featuring some of the most beautiful shots and camera movements ever created, and the director addresses the issue of identity in space in a rarely seen way, with moments of sublime beauty and a vibrant, real city that assures a continued existence even long after the protagonists leave the screen.
The atmosphere and pacing of the film are also completely out of this world, with a masterful soundtrack and long moments of calm and philosophical reflection against an incredible backdrop, which are suddenly interrupted by high-quality action scenes that hold their own against more modern films.
Ghost in the Shell is one of those rare masterpieces, which manages to be both a thought-provoking film that entertains while being full of action. Anyone who enjoys Japanese culture and has at least a slight interest in science fiction will enjoy the film and be able to say they have seen one of the great classics of the genre!
Have you watched it? What did you think? Did you get to see the other versions for comparison? Share your thoughts in the comments and share with friends.
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