I very much enjoy and appreciate anime, and Ghost in the Shell is no exception. In fact Ghost in the Shell is not just one of the finest anime films not to have Studio Ghibli's name on it, but also ever. The animation is breathtaking to watch, ethereal, fluid and very detailed. The score is one of all-time favourites, I love music(especially film music, classical and opera) and from the enchanting melodies and vocals Ghost in the Shell is no exception, really drawing you in. The script is one that really makes you think, it's a very ambitious and thoughtful one with its scientific and philosophical elements. The story is unique and compelling right from the start to the end, the characters engage and the voice work(more in the subbed rather than dubbed version) is very dynamic. I can understand why some may be underwhelmed by the ending, first time I saw Ghost in the Shell I was, but now I don't have a problem with it, and even if I did it would not stop me from loving this film any less than I do. Overall, amazing, one of the best of its kind. 10/10 Bethany Cox

It's the near future. Major Motoko Kusanagi and Batou are cyborgs and part of Section 9 fighting futuristic cyber crimes. Their case leads to an unknown Puppetmaster. There is the mysterious Project 2501. Section 6 had created a body to trap the Puppetmaster ghost. In the end, the Puppetmaster's goal is procreation itself.

The animation looks really cool. Its visual style is influential. The story is short but the cinematic world is a bit overwhelming. The short running time gives a functional first glimpse into this world and enough exposition to suggest a vast compelling future. Motoko is a great character. There are solid animated action. The final reveal and conclusion is thought provoking.

I saw the trailer for the Scarlett Johansson live action movie, that looked like a Blade Runner style movie, it looked fantastic, and then I found out it was a remake, this is the original Japanese anime movie, based on the popular manga comics. Basically in the year 2029, in Japan, advancement in cybernetic technology have allowed the human body to be "augmented" or even completely replaced with cybernetic parts, a significant achievement is the cyberbrain, a mechanical casing for the human brain, with access to the Internet and other networks, the consciousness is referred to as a "ghost", and the body is referred to as the "shell". Major Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) is an assault- team leader for the Public Security Section 9 of "New Port City", she successful assassinates a diplomat of a foreign country, following a request from Chief Nakamura (Simon Prescott) of Section 6, to prevent programmer Daita from defecting. The Foreign Minister's interpreter is ghost-hacked, the perpetrator is believed to be the mysterious Puppet Master (Abe Lasser),Kusanagi's team trace telephone calls to investigate the virus, but they end capturing a garbage man and a thug who were ghost-hacked and have no clue about the Puppet Master. The investigation is at a dead end, but "shell" manufacturer Megatech Body, with suspected close ties to the government, is hacked, and a cybernetic body is assembled, the body escapes, but is hit by a truck. Section 9 examine the body, they find a human "ghost" inside its computer brain, it may be the Puppet Master himself, the body reactivates and requests political asylum, it argues what constitutes being human, then a camouflaged agent creates a diversion that allows the body, with Nakamura, to escape. Kusanagi's team suspected foul play, they prepare and immediately pursue the agent, "Project 2501", mentioned by the Puppet Master, is investigated by Section 6, a connection with Daita is found, Chief of Section 9, Daisuke Aramaki (William Frederick),concludes that Section 6 created the Puppet Master itself, and are trying desperately to reclaim the body. Kusanagi follows the vehicle carrying the body to an abandoned building, she is anxious to face the Puppet Master's ghost, she is nearly killed engaging with the walking tank protecting the body, her partner Batou (Richard Epcar) is in time to save her, and connect her brain to the Puppet Master's. The Puppet Master explains to Kusanagi that he was created by Section 6, wandered various networks, became sentient, and contemplated his existence, deciding the essence of humanity is reproduction and mortality, he wants to exist within a physical brain that will eventually die, he downloaded himself into a cybernetic body to escape Section 6's network. The Puppet Master sees that he and Kusangi have a lot in common, he believes she also questions her humanity, he proposes merging their ghosts, Kusanagi would gain all of his capabilities in return, she agrees. Snipers from Section 6 approach the building, intending to cover up Project 2501 by destroying the Puppet Master's and Kusanagi's brains, the shell of the Puppet Master is destroyed, but Kusanagi's head and her brain is saved in time being shielded by Batou, Section 9 closes in and the snipers retreat. "Kusanagi" wakes up in a new cyborg body in Batou's safe house, she tells him that the entity within her body is neither Kusanagi nor the Puppet Master, it is a combination of both, she promises Batou they will meet again, before leaving the house, and wondering where to go. Also starring Christopher Joyce as Togusa, Michael Sorich as Ishikawa and Bryan Cranston as Dr. Willis. The breakthrough movie based on manga was Akira, this follows with a an equally hypnotic experience, if you really concentrate, you can just about understand what is going on, the traditional hand-drawn animation is magnificent, especially surprising with the amount of nudity, gory violence and exciting action sequences, and accompanied by great music by Kenji Kawai, a most worthwhile animated science fiction. Very good!