Entry #4, Ghost in the Shell

Hey guys,

                  It's Adrian again and I'm here to give my hopes and thoughts about the new Ghost in the Shell (2017) movie based on the trailers as well as what I've heard so far, I'll also be giving some of my thoughts about the original 1995 animated film version.

2017 Movie Poster

1995 film movie poster

               First, let's talk about the original version because that's the one I've actually seen. The original Ghost in the Shell is a classic movie that discusses the idea that if the human body can be replicated and replaced by machinery, then what makes us human? This theme is shown throughout the movie from things like the main character, Motoko "The Major" Kusanagi enjoying deep sea diving despite the risks of doing it in her cybernetic body. Her partner, Batou, even asks her why she would dive if when the support systems failed she would quite literally sink to the bottom of the ocean. *Spoilers, but not really since this movie has been out for 22 years* Another example of this theme is the main antagonist, the Puppet Master which was an A.I that became sentient, wanting to find a cybernetic body so that it can obtain humanity by being able to die one day. This antagonist goes well with the theme because the movie title "Ghost in the Shell" means the idea of a soul(or ghost) inhabiting a body ( or shell). It also helps the the soundtrack for this movie was really interesting and good.

Motoko from the animated versions

               Now, let's talk about the new version. From what I can see besides Scarlett Johansson being the main character Motoko Kusanagi, it doesn't really have the same plot lines which is fine because it's not a remake, but the plot it has now (from the trailers) seems like a generic action movie. It also references the iconic scene in the beginning of the original where Kusanagi's cybernetic body is being built as shown below.

Body being built from the 2017 trailers

Her body before entering the pool to cover her in synthetic skin

                   Overall, it still looks entertaining enough to watch and was an interesting choice to be fully adapted towards western audiences. I would like to view it and be able to make comparisons between it and the original. That's all I have to say for now and I would be delighted if you left a comment knowing if you've seen either of these films and your opinions on them.

Scarlett Johansson as Motoko Kusanagi (2017)