"Ghost in the Shell" Review by Tim Hellman

'GHOST IN THE SHELL': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A big budget American sci-fi action film, based on the popular Japanese manga, of the same name, by Masamune Shirow (which ran from 1991 to 1997). It stars Scarlett Johansson as a cyborg counter- terrorist commander, taking on hackers, cyber terrorists and other criminals (in a futuristic world). The movie also costars Pilou Asbaek (who also costarred with Johansson in the sci-fi action hit 'LUCY'), Michael Pitt, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche and Chin Han. It was directed by Rupert Sanders (who also helmed 2012's 'SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN'), and it was written by Jamie Moss, William Wheeler and Ehren Kruger. The film has received mostly positive reviews from critics, but it's underperformed at the Box Office so far. It's also been heavily criticized for it's casting of Johansson as well, in an originally Asian role. I absolutely loved the film's visuals, but I definitely can't say I found the story that interesting or involving.

The Major (Johansson) is the cyborg head of a counter-cyber terrorist task force, known as Section 9. Her team catches and kills cyber criminals, and terrorists, in a future world that's becoming more and more machine. The Major is the ghost of a human, with a forgotten past, that functions in an almost entirely machine body. As she tries to defeat an unknown new threat, she also struggles to identify with who she really is.

The film is absolutely stunning to watch, but I could not find myself interested, or involved, in any of the characters or story, in the slightest, until the third act (but even then it was just a very slight interest). It seems like such a waste too, because the action, music and overall style of the movie is absolutely breathtaking to experience. In many ways it reminds me of classic sci-fi from yesteryear, but only on a purely visual level. It's practically the ultimate example of style over substance, and I'm sure the casting of an Asian actress, in the lead, would have benefited the film immensely as well.

Anchor Bay Entertainment to Release the 25th Anniversary Blu-Ray of "Ghost in the Shell"

Anchor Bay Entertainment recently released information for the upcoming 25th Anniversary Edition for "Ghost in the Shell" on Blu-Ray, The film was co-produced by Manga Entertainment and enjoyed both critical and popular success at the U.S. box office and was the first Japanese animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Video Sales Chart.

No special features were announced at this time. The 25th Anniversary Edition of "Ghost in the Shell" hits blu-ray on September 30th.

Press Release:

25 years ago, a breathtaking leap in the history of animation stunned and amazed audiences, with the release of Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell. Now, to celebrate a quarter century of its groundbreaking blend of traditional cel and CGI animation, Anchor Bay Entertainment proudly announces the Ghost in the Shell 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™. Boasting an all new HD transfer, the GitS 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ streets September 30th with an SRP of $29.99. Pre-book is August 27th.

2029 – A female government cyber agent and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of a "The Puppet Master" – a computer virus capable of invading cybernetic brains and altering its victim’s memory. Created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and codenamed "Project 2501", this 'hacker' is actually a prototype virtual agent which has now defied its makers by seeking asylum within a new host body outside of the electronic net. Now the two agencies must maneuver against each another in a violent, high-tech race to capture the omnipresent entity.

When released in 1995, Ghost in the Shell took the world by storm exhibiting a new dimension of anime with unprecedented and mesmerizing cinematic expression. Seamlessly merging traditional cel animation with the latest computer graphic imagery, this stunning sci-fi spectacle broke through the boundaries of mainstream animation with detailed artistic expression and a uniquely intelligent story line. The film has gone on to inspire a generation of filmmakers and has become the most revered anime feature of all time. Veteran anime writer/director/producer Mamoru Oshii, working in conjunction with the animators at Production I.G. (Blood: The Last Vampire, Kaidohmaru, Kill Bill) brought to life Masamune Shirow’s vision.

This excellent cyberpunk thriller was co-produced by Manga Entertainment and enjoyed both critical and popular success at the U.S. box office and was the first Japanese animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Video Sales Chart.