By: Hamza Shafique
Rupert Sanders’ Ghost in the Shell has been out for a while
now and a lot of reviews are available already. So, to adjust my expectations, I
checked Chris Stuckman’s (a famous ‘You Tuber’ with whom I agree the most)
review of the film before going to cinema. There I found that this film is actually
based on a Japanese animation. Chris Stuckman review of the old animated movie
was so good that it automatically raised my expectations with the film. I automatically
assumed this movie to be the next Matrix, with mind boggling plot, super high
tech future and innovative action sequences. Ghost in the Shell is a brilliant film and has all expected elements
but unfortunately due to few elements doesn't reach the level of Matrix .
Story is about Major Mira Killian, a law enforcement agent,
who has her mind implanted into a robot when her body is injured heavily in a
terrorist attack. I enjoyed the first act of the film, action is superb and
engaging, we get to know the character of Major played by Scarlet Johannsson. The whole film is a visual treat but the very
first scene is extraordinarily clear, which is something I have never experienced
when it comes to CGI on cinema screen. Story picks up in second act but starts to
get confusing, which is ok as I wanted this movie to make me think. But what is
not ok with the confusing plot is the pace of the film, as it slows down here
and feels a bit drag. Third and final act when everything is revealed, Ghost in
the Shell picks up again but the screenplay here seems hurried and lacks
creativity. It’s still a very decent final act but I was expecting it to be on
the similar craftsmanship level of Matrix.
Scarlet Johansson is flawless, in her portrayal of Major
Mira Killian, an emotionless robot controlled by an actual human brain. Rest
the cast has delivered as per the scope assigned to them. Weak aspect here is
their characterization; where Scarlet’s character is very well written, I
believe film makers did not spent enough time on developing the other characters.
I will give example of Matrix here, where each character was distinct and
memorable even though movie was a complete Neo show. Here I only remember Major
and Kuze (played by Michael Pitt), Kuze only because of the climax dialogue scene
with Major. Rest of the characters simply lack personality and are vague.
Action sequences are in abundance and choreographed well. My
only point here is the lack of innovation, which is a must have, when you have an
already established action star like Scarlet, apart from the invisible fight scene
over water, the rest of them reminded me of black widow with a different
hairstyle and this took the freshness out.
The use of CGI as I have already mentioned is great. The
futuristic City landscape they have created is imaginative yet believable. One complaint
is that; Rupert hasn’t used city landscape in the plot properly and we merely
see it as a pretty backdrop or as a transition between the scenes which makes
it repetitive and boring. It’s like you are in photographic exhibition and each
picture is same. You will appreciate first couple of pictures but then same
pictures even great will stop to fascinate. I wish they had used it more
appropriately and not just as a backdrop, nevertheless, its visually stunning
and will take your attention especially in the beginning.
Don’t take me wrong this film is still brilliant not to the
level I expected but still is brilliant. It’s a visual treat and with Scarlet’s
performance deserves to be experienced on big screen. I go with 3 stars.
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