A movie that should be mandatory to watch in any Science/Medicine/Engineering/Computing School
This is a modern art masterpiece, from beginning to end. It is eye
candy and food for thought. All of your senses (except smell and taste) will be delighted. Where do I start? An outstanding soundtrack by Kenji Kawai makes you feel immersed in what society might be in 100 years from now (although plot is set earlier, I believe technology will not be so advanced until the 22nd century). Artwork is simply sublime. It is hard to believe that such animations were drawn one at the time. This movie puts CrapVatar to shame. Don't believe me? check the intro only. Insight into science and society is awesome. It is hard for me to explain, but as a scientist I believe that trends in science and computing are guiding us in a complex society such as the one depicted in the movie, where each individual is a key part of the whole. Information/Computing becomes so complex and huge to comprehend by a single person, yet it is also so simple that anyone can make use of it (for better or for worse). One final thought. When you get to the end and you see what Project 2501 is, think about this: what is a life-form to you? is it necessary for a life-form to have a real-world existence? is it necessary to be carbon-based? would the actual definition of "life", that is: - an organism that has a molecule capable of storing information - an organism that grows and reproduces - and organism that keeps a balance with the environment accurate enough for the times to come?. 
Visually stunning and incredibly deep masterpiece
It's not often that I see a film and straight away want to watch it
again, but that's how I felt about Ghost in the Shell. As one of the most visually stunning anime movies for its time (and to date, in all honesty) and with an incredibly thought provoking story and world, this has to rank as a true masterpiece. Following the story of Motoko Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9 as they search for a criminal known as the puppet master, the film runs through a philosophical gauntlet that makes us consider what it is that actually makes us human. The superb characterisation in this film, especially of main characters Motoko, Batou, Togusa and Aramaki, makes it a real treat, as you really care about what happens to them as the movie progresses. Also, with a superbly atmospheric soundtrack that accentuates the questioning nature of the film, it is a total experience, not let down by any aspect. As I said above, the animation in this film is beautiful, and I considered it the finest blending of conventional animation with CG animation I'd ever seen, until GitS 2: Innocence and Appleseed, though Appleseed is a different style altogether. Oh, and I know I've accentuated the thought provoking nature of the film above, but it is not simply a philosophical meander, instead being a tightly paced sci-fi thriller, with several intense action sequences that are superbly choreographed. As you might guess, I absolutely adore this film, having voted it my favourite movie of all time in more than one poll. If you haven't seen it, then do as soon as possible, because I guarantee that it'll blow your mind. A definite 10 star film.. |
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