Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Objective Rating (How much merit I think it deserves):
8/10
Subjective Rating (How much I personally like it):
8/10

Year released: 2004
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDB page: here


I should start out by saying that I'm not a big anime geek. I know I'm quite a geek, but anime just doesn't hit the spot for me most of the time. It's usually because I think the original comic is much better looking (e.g. Detective Conan aka Case Closed), since in order to churn out the anime every week, the quality can go way down. Or because the anime, even though it is based on the comic, can take some crazy turns that differ significantly from the original comic. Then you don't know which plot you believe in more, or you just resent the possibility of anything else happening in an alternative universe.

Ghost in the Shell is a name that has been floating around me for quite some time now. I should say that I'm also not a giant sci-fi geek, which is why initially I was turned off by Ghost in the Shell. All the robots, the cyborgs... it's just too much. But something about the cover of Innocence just seized me and made me get the movie in spite of myself. Definitely shows you the power of a well-designed DVD cover.

But after I got it, it was a LONG time before I saw it. Boy am I glad that I saw it eventually.The graphics are absolutely dazzling, with shimmering metallic hues and soothing water colours. The movements, whether human or robotic, are fluid. The character and set designs are appropriately vibrant and dim at places. It is a true visual fest.

Plot: obviously this is a sequel, and I did not watch the first installment. But it is stand-alone enough that you'll understand most things fine, but there will be a few nagging details that will greatly benefit from watching the first installment, which I did after watching Innocence.

The setting is such a huge part of the story. Robotics have become an irreplaceable part of human society. Lots of humans are now cyborgs consisted of both machine and organic parts (I know, sounds pretty sci-fi, but the movie makes it a lot more interesting and philosophical). Even the more organic humans have physical portals that hook into computer systems.

The story begins with problems that a recent line of robot gynoids show by... killing their owners. They are made to look like teenage females and are used implicitly as sex dolls. Their victims are dismembered in the cruelest way and show no connection to each other. Batou, a member of the special police Section 9 (and owner of that adorable Bassett hound on the cover), and his junior partner Togusa (the most organic member of the unit, a family man), are assigned to investigate the cause of the robots' malfunctioning.

The film quotes a lot of philosophical sayings from Japan and all over the world. Some of the quotes are pretty obscure and very interesting upon further Internet investigation. Quite thought-provoking overall, the film requires careful (re)viewing to get the deeper flavours out. Otherwise you can just ogle at the pretty colours and shapes. And trust me, they are pretty.

The soundtrack... is hair-raisingly good. A children's minyoh choir with taiko, very authentic. The jazzy theme from Batou's music box, the end theme song... perhaps I should feature some of the music just to give you a taste.

Even if you are normally not a fan of the genre (just like me!), you will still appreciate this very beautiful film.