Japan is revered in animation circles and after watching Ghost In The Shell, its easy to see why. An anime sci-fi masterpiece based on an immensely popular manga series, the film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi of Public Security Section 9 as she attempts to unravel a devilish web of intrigue built around a master hacker known as The Puppet Master. Director Mamoru Oshii sought to create a futuristic narrative which dealt with humanitys reliance on computers; the end result is a delightfully violent, sexually-charged romp with robot fights. Beautifully animated and exciting from start to finish, Ghost In The Shell is a perfect way to quench your thirst for frenetic action. Thats not to say there isnt philosophy underneath the flashy visuals and cybernetic combat, as theres plenty to think about throughout the movies frequent twists and turns. Everything from gender identity and psychology to the existence of the human soul are brought into the equation and somehow manage to blend seamlessly into the thrilling spectacle. The film also served as a huge inspiration for the Wachowskis in their creation of the Matrix trilogy, which is either a blessing or a curse depending on your tolerance for black trench coats and heavy-handed Jesus metaphors.
A pop culture mad writer from the North East who loves films, television and debating them with whoever will listen.
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