Classics: A Review of Ghost in the Shell By Lauren Ennis

 What does it mean to be human? This is the question that lies at the heart of 1995's animated drama Ghost in the Shell. Part heart pounding action thriller and part philosophical medication on the nature of existence this film is a total masterpiece. In the decades since its release the film remains startlingly resonant and is even more relevant today that it was upon its release. Even as anime has gained a popular following in Western media the film continues to be considered the gold standard for the medium amongst aficionados and newcomers alike. Discover the haunting beauty of Ghost in the Shell.

The story begins in the year 2029 in a world in which cybernetic technology dominates society. People routinely augment or even replace their body parts with cybernetic parts to enhance their appearance and abilities. These technological advances have led to the rise of a new type of criminal in the form of sophisticated hackers. Rather than merely hacking into a computer these criminals use cybernetics to hack into people's augmented bodies and minds. In response to this cyber crimewave the state employs a team of cyborgs who act as elite security agents. One of these cyborgs is the film's enigmatic heroine, Major Matoko Kusanagi. After successfully completing an assassination she learns that a criminal mastermind known as the Puppet Master has been hacking into the minds of highly placed individuals in order to spy upon and assassinate government officials. Motoko and her partner, Batou, embark upon a dangerous mission to find the Puppet Master and bring him into state custody. Unbeknownst to her, however, the Puppet Master has plans of his own in which she plays an integral part. What ensures is a game of cat and mouse that will lead Motoko to question her mission and even her very existence.

Decades after its release Ghost in the Shell remains one of the most complex and original stories ever put to animation. The film's futuristic flash and thrilling action sequences still draw viewers in, but it is the film's weighty themes that keep audiences returning to its dystopian vision. Much like 1986's Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell takes viewers on a thrill ride through the crime ridden streets of the not so distant future. Like its predecessor, the film then goes on to invert the conventions of its police procedural to relate a much more poignant and personal tale of the search for meaning. Through its exploration of cyborg Matoko's existential crisis the film raises vital questions about memory, individuality, and what it means to be human. The film refuses to offer definitive answers and instead allows viewers to see themselves in its so nearly human heroine as we contemplate our own existence. Beyond its philosophical musings the film also offers warnings for the future against technological dependence, the dangers of artificial intelligence, and the dehumanization that inevitably occurs in an isolated populace. Given the current state of modern technology and its impact upon our society the film's warnings are nothing short of prophetic. Glimpse into the future with Major Matoko in Ghost in the Shell.

The film's animation brings its dystopia to vivid life. The scenery transports viewers to a futuristic world that is at once familiar and entirely alien. Following in the tradition of Blade Runner and Soylent Green the film showcases a world that has surpassed our own technologically even as it has regressed in all other aspects. Despite its many advancements the film's world is crowded and dirty and everything in it is shown to be disposable. This sense of a future in decay immerses audiences in the characters' world while highlighting Motoko's fears that she too will one day be deemed obsolete and discarded. The character designs aptly reflect each of the characters' distinct personalities and strike an ideal balance between futuristic fantasy and contemporary reality. The action sequences seamlessly blend traditional animation and CGI to dazzling effect.

Nearly thirty years after its release Ghost in the Shell remains one of the most well known and well loved films in all of anime and it is little wonder why. The film's philosophical themes challenge viewers, even as its action packed plot ensures that audiences remain entertained. The animation takes viewers on a journey into a future that is at once thrilling, fascinating, and frightening. Follow the haunting whisper of Ghost in the Shell.