Review: Ghost in the Shell (2017)

It’s a ghost of its former self.

The Ghost in the Shell 1995 animated film, based on the manga of the same name, is a tour de force. This revolutionary science fiction film follows the cybernetic Major and her counter-cyberterrorist team from task force Section 9. 2017’s live-action adaptation, Ghost in the Shell arrives as a visually stunning adaptation that unfortunately lacks the finesse and originality of the original source material.

Major (Scarlett Johansson) is a cybernetic, and leader of the Section 9 task force. Her team includes close ally Batou (Pilou Asbaek), the human Togusa (Chin Han), Saito (Yutaka Izumihara), Ladriya (Danusia Samal), and Ishikawa (Lasarus Ratuere). Hanka, a pioneer in cyborg production, created Major as a weapon. When there’s a dangerous cyberterrorist, Kuze (Michael Pitt), the Major and her Section 9 team must hunt Kuze. However, Major uncovers there’s more to Kuze’s story than mere villain.

2017’s Ghost in the Shell is admittedly mixed. Visually, it’s a stunning film. Gorgeous cityscapes juxtapose gargantuan skyscrapers and holographic advertisements with decaying rubble and slummy markets. It’s vivid urban area channels Blade Runner. CGI is used exquisitely. Whereas often CG effects appear out of place, in Ghost in the Shell the abundant CGI sets a sense of place and appropriately enhances characters to clearly detail their abilities. Cinematography is marvelous, with scenes truly popping off screen.

The supporting cast is largely wonderful. Pilo Asbaek not only looks like Batou but delivers lines with the same mix of genuine caring and witty sarcasm. Chief Aramaki (Takeshi Kitano) emits all the badassery of his character from franchise entries. It’s Aramaki that delivers arguably the best line of the entire flick with “Do not send a rabbit to kill a fox.” Chin Han doesn’t get nearly enough screen time as Togusa, one of the most enjoyable side characters from the Ghost in the Shell universe.

Backing the captivating visuals, the score is exquisite. At times there are hints of the original soundtrack, and the final credits even feature “Utai IV: Reawakening” by Kenji Kawai from the 1995 revolutionary anime. The live-action Ghost in the Shell features a score that’s part throwback with a synth vibe that oozes John Carpenter or Stranger Things soundtrack composers SURVIVE.

But similarities cease with characters and score. Unfortunately, the plot lacks the oomph to match on-screen visuals, much less the nuanced material of the 1995 classic. The narrative is dreadfully predictable and ridden with tropes. Hanka CEO Cutter (Peter Ferdinando) is a clear-cut villain, and Hanka is the conspiratorial Weyland Corporation of 2017 Ghost in the Shell. Kuze is a confusing mix of the Kuze character from Ghost in the Shell lore and the Puppet Master. Unfortunately, his character feels akin to a Roy Batty knock off. Johansson infuses Major with the badassery of former Major iterations. Moreover, Major still spouts plenty of existential banter. Yet it’s a cliche struggle for identity rather than the heady themes of technology vs. humanity so prominent and thought-provoking in the original source.

I’m not against remakes. On the contrary, a few of my favorite movies are remakes, such as The Thing, The Blob, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Manchurian Candidate. But each of these somehow improved the original material, whereas this live-action Ghost in the Shell simply slaps a shiny lacquer over a generic action film. Certain changes do benefit Ghost in the Shell though. Primarily, it eschews the heavy geo-political banter so prominent in the series. At times, especially during Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie geo-politics became a bit convoluted. In the 2017 adaptation, the story is pretty straightforward. Too straightforward at times, and sparse on the intricacies which made the 1995 groundbreaking anime so gripping.

Then there’s the unavoidable topic of whitewashing. Sure, director of the 95 anime Mamoru Oshii defended the Johansson casting choice. His point is that Major doesn’t have a race. But the 2017 adaptation takes an Asian character and stuffs her brain into a white body. It’s almost an admission of the whitewashing inherent in the live-action iteration. So much of the original film features Asian culture, and yet this new version is almost devoid of anything Asian.

This live-action adaptation does pay homage to its predecessors. Batou cares for a basset hound, and certain scenes are almost a shot for shot remake: Major diving in the ocean, the water fight, even the garbage truck incident. It’s odd what the 2017 Ghost in the Shell decided to preserve and the aspects it revised.

As a whole, Ghost in the Shell‘s live-action version falls short even without comparison to the original material. Under the gorgeous veneer, there’s a lackluster formulaic plot. It’s not exactly as bad as you might imagine, but Ghost in the Shell isn’t a good one either. Despite its notable lack of complexity, Ghost in the Shell remains a visually captivating romp, and it’s worth seeing simply for its exquisite environment. The plot, though, is utterly forgettable. Ultimately, the live-action Ghost in the Shell succeeds in crafting marvelous visuals, but the story falls painfully short. If you do watch it, just keep your VHS of the 1995 original close to remind you of the original source’s superb brilliance.

SCORE
5.0/10