Ghost in the Shell

Saw the new Ghost in the Shell. I haven't investigated fully into if this is supposed to be a reboot or what. It's simply called Ghost in the Shell, or Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (which is actually on the poster art which is maybe somewhat silly, but whatever).

At any rate, its not as good as the original, but wait! That's ok!

I'm a notorious curmudgeon, and usually it doesn't take a whole lot wrong with a movie for me to say I think its garbage, even if everybody else thinks its awesome (see my existential meltdown after seeing the new Mad Max movie I had such high hopes for). The new Ghost in the Shell never hits the emotional highs of the original film nor is the animation ever as lifelike and immersive, despite being 20 years newer with all the new tech to bear. The artistry of the animators just isn't there.

But ya know what, I still really enjoyed it. It was very much its own film and didn't seem to be ineffectually trying to one up the original nor riding its coat tails. This one is its own film, with its own feel, its own strengths and weaknesses. And while the strengths may not be what they could be, it doesn't have the weaknesses in storytelling or over reliance on tech that frequently ruins new movies for me.

In some ways, the tone and the characterization of Motoko is closer to the manga than the original film. Perhaps it would be better to say its a pretty clear cross between the two. She isn't quite as sassy as she is in the manga nor quite as dour as in the first film, but this movie also seems to take place earlier in her career, though that's just the feel. Its very episodic in nature, so where it fits and what came before and after it is pretty unimportant, much like an older Bond film or even (sigh) like the Mad Max films, which are all essentially stand alone pieces.

In short, I would see it again. The nerds in the theater were all pretty into it, too, from their many utterances. If you're into anime, its definitely worth your time.