GHOST IN THE SHELL

 

DIRECTED BY-:
Rupert Sanders
STARRING-:
Scarlett Johansson
Takeshi Kitano
Pilou Asbæk
YEAR OF RELEASE-:
2017
PREMISE-:
In the near future, Major Mira Killian is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

THE PROBLEMS-:

• Plot armor for Batou during the nightclub fight-:

1. Instead of aiming their guns from a considerable distance, the goons very stupidly stick their guns to Batou's back, conveniently giving him a chance to disarm them. This mistake is repeated when Cutter orders his men to execute Batou. 
2. Luckily, NONE of the bullets fired in Batou’s direction hit him or even manage to hurt him.

• If Kuze was indeed a failed test subject, why didn’t Hanka Robotics completely erase his memories or euthanize him? Why did they let him go? If they DIDN’T let him go, then how the hell was Kuze able to escape the facility?

• How did Kuze not notice Dr. Dahnil hiding the drive with the list of the scientists who worked on project 2571?

• In order to kill Dr. Dahnil, how was Kuze able to enter Hanka robotics' facility without facing any security systems and guards?

• How did Kuze know which scientists to kill? Both answers to this question are unfortunately incredibly contrived-: 

• If he already knew ALL the names of the scientists who worked on project 2571, then it is really convenient that he didn’t think of killing Dr. Ouelet first. 
• If Kuze was only targeting the scientists whose names were specifically present on the list from the drive (the one which Dr. Dahnil was trying to hide from him), then it is REALLY convenient that Dr. Ouelet’s name was third or fourth in the list and not the FIRST. 

• If Kuze really wanted to KILL Dr. Ouelet, why did he force a couple of sanitation workers to do the job? Why didn't he instead mind-control a couple of soldiers or assassins? 

• What took Kuze SO LONG (enough time for Major and Batou to link the murders and track down the location Dr. Ouelet) to commence his plan of killing Dr. Ouelet?

• Major and Batou are luckily able to save Dr. Ouelet JUST before she can procure any real damage. 

• When it looked like there was no other way to escape, why didn’t the sanitation worker take Dr. Ouelet hostage ?

• Kuze is conveniently able to capture Major AND reveal very significant information about himself and Hanka Robotics JUST BEFORE the arrival of Batou and other officers. 

• HOW did Aramaki survive when Cutter’s men were shooting at him in the parking lot? Even if he was wearing a bulletproof vest, it is IMMENSELY convenient that NONE of the bullets hit his head.

• Why didn’t cutters men shoot at Aramaki BEFORE he got into the car or AFTER he got out? Why did they stupidly decide to shoot at him when he is INSIDE his car? Why didn’t they instead plant a bomb in his car?

• How was Aramaki able to enter Cutter’s house? Didn’t Cutter keep security for himself ? Didn’t he lock his door? 

• Major and Kuze are luckily able to rekindle all of their past memories JUST BEFORE the spider-tank attacks.

• Plot armor for Major during the climax-: 

1. Luckily, Cutter’s sniper decides to shoot KUZE first and not Major. 
2. Saito luckily arrives to shoot down Cutter’s chopper JUST BEFORE the sniper can reload and shoot Major. 

THE POSITIVES-:

• Scarlett Johansson gave a brilliant performance.
• Major Killian’s characterization was very good and certainly added an interesting emotional depth to the film.
• The Cinematography, Camera-Work, Soundtrack, Set design, Costume Design, and CGI were all excellent. 
• The action scenes were shot decently well. 
• The world-building was satisfactory enough for the script to function.
• The film was paced very well and there were barely any dull or unnecessary scenes present. 

RATING -: 6/10