GHOST IN THE SHELL (2017)

5/7/2017 - Ghost in the Shell (2017) - 4/10

Like a big budget fan film meant to ape the original, but stirs love for the original more than garnering affection for the current. The biggest problem is that this live action rendition is lacking that core magical essence. It is like the difference between passionate sensual love making and a cold unfeeling escort encounter: the same basic act is performed and intentioned but in two completely different ways and leaving you feeling disparately. This film demanded the money up front and a distinct “no kissing” policy.

So many questionable choices: from casting and story beats to the general ethos of the piece and its conclusions, it all makes you wonder. Why stay so close to some things but stray so far in others, to the detriment of the overall product? Puzzling decisions.

Actors and script were lifeless. Just because they are portraying "robots" doesn't mean that all the acting must be wooden and unengaged. (See Hendrickson in Aliens for ex). The original cyborgs of the anime are similarly detached, but they are also combating much more complex and nuanced existential disaccords.

I will give Weta and the rest of the design staff props. This film is visually exotic and striking. It really was “Cool”, with a capital C,  but overall fruitless. So much flavor and beauty, but it asked the wrong questions. 

All of the nuance and introspective yearrning was lacking. Everything was blunt, over explained, under considered, and dull. It all lacked motivation and stakes. Most of all, it seemed to lack independent thought.  And so it stands as an “OK-ish” action film, but a philosophic failure. Too bad.