English Dub Movie Review: “Ghost in the Shell”

In celebration of the two-day event featuring Ghost in the Shell returning to theaters, we decided to review the classic film and see if it still holds up after over 20 years (hint…it does).

It’s 2029, and the world is connected via a massive electronic network. A majority of the population has been converted into cybernetic bodies, dubbed shells. These shells do feature consciousness. Major Kusanagi leads an assault team for Section 9. The major and her team are given the case of an elite hacker, the Puppet Master.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2MEaROKjaE

Section 9’s team led my the Major consists of Batou (Akio Ôtsuka) and Ishikawa (Yutaka Nakano). Batou, like Kusanagi, is cybernetic. However, Ishikawa is almost completely human. The dynamic between humans and cyborgs remains unique. Whereas many science fiction pieces including Blade Runner present humans and androids as opposing factions, Ghost in the Shell eschews that trope. It’s this theme of what being human means that perpetuates the philosophical ideas. There’s a hint that acquiring more knowledge can lead to an entity that’s more human. There’s a vast informational sea which may be tapped into.

Dialogue explores the human vs. cyborg dichotomy. Lines like “If a cyber could create its own ghost, what would be the purpose of being human?” But it’s pretty comedic at times too, and mostly dry humor: “You’re treated like other humans, so stop with the angst!” The English dubbing is stellar. Especially with the intricate dialogue, much of which delves into complex geopolitical banter, the voice acting responsible for driving much of the plot. The soundtrack is magnificent, and truly shines especially in the opening credits and scenes with sparse dialogue. There’s a montage of inner-city Japan sans-dialogue. This highlights the masterful score, as well as gorgeous artwork.

The animation is hand drawn and beautiful. Ghost in the Shell features a distinctly noir aesthetic; there’s a pleasant mix of high-tech imagery and drab, rundown cityscapes. Shades of green and blue lend a digital vibe that fits the cybernetic universe. It’s simply a pretty film to watch, and Ghost in the Shell would remain engaging with no audio. However, the excellent dubbing and awe-inspiring score bolster the strong visuals. Like the 1988 renowned anime film Akira, Ghost in the Shell is a more mature anime flick. Also like Akira, the 1995 classic oozes a cyberpunk-noir aesthetic.

The 1995 film is a true masterpiece. With heady science fiction themes, gorgeous hand-drawn animation, and a lovely soundtrack, Ghost in the Shell remains a true anime and sci-fi classic.