I'd read some pretty negative reviews on this movie before I saw it, so I wasn't expecting much, but I'm happy to say those reviews were way off! Motoko looks just like she should look - minus the thin haircut, and Batou was so buff you wonder if he really was that big in the movie. Special effects? He gets the eyes too.
The plot's based on the original, animated counterpart, and though all details aren't the same it is a close fit. I'm happy they brought in Takeshi Kitano as the chief, he's a legend, and all other characters are spot on in their roles. The special effects are great. The invisibility cloak and glitches in particular, and they even managed an introduction almost as beautiful as the original.
That the Chief (Beat) is the only one speaking Japanese, and that Scarlett Johansson can't pronounce her name correctly - nor whomever played Hideo, are minor details. Everything else feels spot on, from the creepy Geisha robots to the Spider Tank in the final scenes. Bits and pieces of the dialog bug me, but they redeem that with inspiring quotes like: When we see our uniqueness as a virtue, only then will we find peace.
.
It's essentially a journey of Motoko finding herself, all the while chasing a shadowy criminal, but the bigger question here is: is technology good for us? What does it mean to be human? It doesn't delve as deeply as it could into these things, but I feel it hits a sweet spot between real mine fuel and mindfulness. The action's good. The setting's gritty. The characters look familiar. It's just right. It's GITS. Sequels? I hope!
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Comments
The Comment Form
© CyberD.org 2024
Keeping the world since 2004.
Probably the best rendition of Neo-Tokyo I've seen. Film lacks depth but it's an underrated watch. Batou is spot on. Sequel? Highly unlikely. Hey when is Christopher Nolan gonna produce the live action Akira already...
Yeah I'm still waiting for the Max Payne sequel too, all these potential franchises they just start and scrap...
Aaaand that sure would be awesome!!! 2020 maybe?