Ghost in the Shell
It found a voice... Now it needs a body.
Overview
In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released during a period of rapid technological advancement, "Ghost in the Shell" reflects anxieties and fascinations surrounding the internet, artificial intelligence, and the blurring lines between humans and machines. The film draws heavily from Japanese philosophical concepts like 'wabi-sabi' (embracing imperfection) and the Shinto belief that spirits can inhabit inanimate objects.
- Visually stunning animation that pushed the boundaries of the medium and influenced countless works.
- Complex and thought-provoking themes exploring the nature of consciousness, identity, and the impact of technology on humanity.
- A compelling and atmospheric cyberpunk plot that balances action and philosophical introspection.
- Influential score by Kenji Kawai that perfectly complements the film's mood and themes.
Fun Facts
- The opening sequence's cascading code was inspired by water falling from a Takihata Fudo waterfall in Tokyo.
- Director Mamoru Oshii intentionally avoided making Motoko Kusanagi overtly sexualized, focusing instead on her androgynous nature and internal conflicts.
- Several scenes and character designs served as direct inspiration for the Wachowskis' "The Matrix" film series.
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Ghost in the Shell
"It found a voice... Now it needs a body."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Ghost in The Shell
"Seine Stimme hat er gefunden – Jetzt sucht er einen Körper"
Italiano
IT
Title: Ghost in the Shell
"Ha trovato una voce... Ora ha bisogno di un corpo."
Český
CZ
Title: Ghost in the Shell
""
Pусский
RU
Title: Призрак в доспехах
"«Оно обрело голос... теперь ему нужно тело»"
Français
FR
Title: Ghost in the Shell
"Qui êtes-vous ? Qui s'est glissé dans mon corps mécanique et parle à mon âme ?"
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
In the 1990s, Ray Kurzweil wrote about his "Singularity" theory - the future when man and computer are wholly merged. His predictions of AI are perhaps only now coming to fruit. This 1995 movie is the original Ghost In The Shell, which I finally watched. Mamoru Oshii's masterpiece, based on a manga by Shirow Masamune, is not only consistent with Singularity theory, but also remarkably prescient. This is the first film to broach the tough question of "what does it mean to be conscious?" in the context of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
It's a society where humanity has been largely subsumed into a digital world; where cyborgs are a norm and where people are now, essentially, dependant on their own technology for just about all aspects of their survival. In this virtual environment, the "Puppet Master" is the kingpin of the criminal world. It knows that by accessing the minds of those connected to the internet, it can obtain lots of juicy information to facilitate a spree of lucrative and threatening crime. Our very thoughts and dreams are now susceptible - and so the government creates "Section 9". Their job is to reverse-engineer some of these hacks and to try and trace the mastermind before it becomes unstoppable. What now ensues is not the finest example of animation you will ever see - indeed some of the artistry is disappointingly basic and linear. What makes this work is a sold story that questions the very soul of what it is to be an human being. It probes what makes us, well, us... Our identity, our personality - all are vulnerable to manipulation here by something adept at capitalising on the flaws and failings of each of us. Once these flood gates are open, is it even possible to arrest it as global interconnectivity makes control nigh on impossible. There are emerging elements of apocalypse to the plot - but they serve to illustrate the dangers of walking into convenience eyes open, but not looking - and there's some potent dialogue here about our complicity in our what could potentially be our own downfall. Can we necessarily spot truth from fiction any more? What is real and what is not? It's not your typical animé, but it does get you thinking and is very much worth watching.
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Trailer
Official IMAX Trailer
Featurette
Mark Kermode reviews Ghost in the Shell (1995) | BFI Player