Ghost In The Shell may the same recylced sci-fi story but it wows with it’s stunning visual effects
This film is absolutely stunning to look at and if you get the chance, go for the full IMAX experience
GHOST In The Shell takes a much-loved 1995 Japanese Manga movie and sticking it slap bang in A List Hollywood land.
It begins with the ‘birth’ of The Major, a human (Scarlett Johansson) plucked from the wreckage of a crash and souped up as a cyber-enhanced soldier, dedicated to serve as a soldier fighting dangerous criminals.
But as it turns out, she wasn’t saved at all and her whole life has been a lie.
From it’s opening titles through to the final scene, the film is reminiscent of Westworld, Chris Cunningham’s music videos and is almost simply an updated version of lots of movies you’ve already seen - Bladerunner, Total Recall, Fifth Element, The Matrix etc both in plot, character development and mood.
Luckily where it lacks in script it more than makes up in style and and visual FX.
This film is absolutely stunning - if you get the chance please do take in the full IMAX experience as there is a hell of a lot to take in.
Scarlet and co do their best with what they’re given to play with (Especially Pilou Asbæk , who’s Nordic drama origins have given way to full on action man status) but it’s the set pieces (in particular the creepy Deep Dive sequence) and the fight sequences which are the main draw here - thankfully they are also plentiful.
Don’t go expecting a masterpiece but with this reverential nod to it’s heritage and a bloody amazing visual treat - you’ll have a rollocking good time.
Ghost In The Shell (12A) 107mins
★★★★☆