Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Mimi Woods

In 2029, a hacker known as the Puppet Master is taking over the minds of computer-enhanced humans. Government agent cyborg Motoko Kusanagi is charged with apprehending the villain, unaware that the fi...( read more  read more... )end is searching for her as well -- with plans to carry out a diabolical mission. With fantastic visuals enhancing the complex story line, this cyberpunk classic set the standard for future anime features.

Flixster Users

87% liked it

72,689 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

30 critics

R, 1 hr. 22 min.

Directed by: Mamoru Oshii

Release Date: March 29, 1996

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DVD Release Date: November 18, 2003

Stats: 4,449 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,449)


  • September 2, 2009
    my personal opinion is average here. while it's a staunch effort at a solid thriller at times it is slow with adolescent dialogue, almost pervy for the sake of it visually and there's no real action until the last half hour when the "tank" livens things up. however, it's still wo...( read more)rth a viewing. not the best animation i've seen though
  • April 22, 2008
    "And where does the newborn go from here? The net is vast and infinite."

    Back when it was first released, Ghost in the Shell was looked upon as a thoroughly engaging and original piece of anime. Over 10 years on the film has lost next to none of its original impa...( read more)ct.

    But it's a shame the film is too convoluted, confusing, and rather boring at times too. I will admit to never being an anime fanatic but I certainly have enjoyed a number of anime productions.

    Unfortunately, this original Ghost in the Shell feature is marred by its tendency to descend into pure philosophical drivel and confusing dialogue that screams multiple viewings. The whole film is very deep and is a complicated system of sub-plots that require your full attention, or you'll fall behind and be forced to watch the film a few more times to understand what the characters are saying.

    Despite this flaw, the animation looks gorgeous. Director Mamoru Oshii has seamlessly combined fantastic anime with scenes of amazing CGI. And of course the film must get marks for its originality and its brilliant vision of the future.

    Set in 2029, the world is a vastly different place. With upgrades in technology, humans can now be applied with sophisticated implants to enhance functions and allow direct interaction via the internet.

    The film opens as a government police unit called Section 9 are investigating a complicated virus that has the ability to hack into cyborgs and control them against their will. Cybernetic government agents Motoko and her partner Batou become involved in the investigation and eventually begin to uncover evidence of a massive political conspiracy.

    The film's vision of the future is nothing short of stunning. The imagery we're treated to looks gorgeous despite being an anime feature. The cyborgs and weaponry look especially stunning and realistic, accompanied by an equally brilliant sound mix.

    Ghost in the Shell is a stunning thriller. Under the surface it cleverly inserts motifs that invoke philosophical thoughts in the audience's mind to do with the future and a human's place in a society that's becoming more and more reliable on technological advances. It has its fair share of quality action (with frequent gory violence), and it's highly intelligent science fiction. But like I've stated before, despite all this the film is highly boring and irritating at times.

    Overall, I found Ghost in the Shell to be a highly impressive, visually stunning anime thriller. Not among the greatest anime productions, but worth seeing. Followed 9 years later by Ghost in the Shell: Innocence.
  • February 16, 2008
    Getting better with time.
  • September 19, 2007
    naked invisible androids never looked so good
  • August 20, 2007
    A animation classic, they say. It very obviously influenced the Wachowski's to do Matrix, so I expected a lot. Somehow I was very disappointed. The really nice visuals could not make up for a lot of semi-philosophical semi-technical dialogue blah blah, very little action, and a s...( read more)omewhat pointless storyline. I guess I simply didn't get it.
  • November 11, 2009
    It's not extrodinary, it's not magnificent, and it doesn't even have a fantastic story. But what is exceptional is the film's visuals and with this being over 10 years old now, that's quite an accomplishment. The visuals are so detailed and complex that the talks of a live action...( read more) movie would almost seem impossible to do or if it we're done, it would turn out awful due to the visual excellence throughout the film. The story is alright and it's enough to get you engaged with the charcters and story, but all and all, it's a fun watch that has been clearly an inspiration for "The Matrix" which was made only 3 years later. Expected better things considering that I heard this is the anime of all anime's from many, but I''m certainly not disappointed.
  • November 1, 2009
    cyberpunk bullshit fuck nuts
  • October 27, 2009
    This film was fantastic! I couldn't get over how gripping and intense and moving this film was! This is really one of the best Japanese animated films ever made.
  • October 12, 2009
    Along with "Akira," one of the best anime titles to reach international audiences.
  • September 30, 2009
    love all of the ghost in the shell

Critic Reviews


May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A fairly entrancing vision of a human race overrun by evolving artificial intelligence. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I enjoyed its visuals, its evocative soundtrack (including a suite for percussion and heavy breathing), and its ideas. full review

View more Kôkaku kidôtai (Ghost in the Shell) (Shell Mobile Force) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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