| It's what you do and your soul that defines you in "Ghost in the Shell". Scarlett Johansson is heroic compassion as the human and mostly machine Major in Director Rupert Sanders's "Ghost in the Shell". "Ghost in the Shell" is the wonderful surprise that is both visually provocative action and the compelling existential exploration of humanity. Set in near futuristic Japan, cybernetic or robotic enhancements of humans are common place in the world. In this global incarnation Hanka Corporation is the technology leader seeking to change the world. Whether <more> this change is for good is the real question?In the enthralling visual opening narrative scientists implant the residual human brain in the robotic 'shell' that becomes Johansson's Major. Composed of electronics and metal alloy, the beautiful Major emerges from the laboratory liquid pool of flesh and hair—nearly human. Johansson is awesome. She has this mesmerizing stillness even in the gate of her walk. She disposes villains with explosive martial arts excellence. Sanders wisely leverages close ups of Johansson, whose face in both the spoken and unspoken eloquently expresses courage and vulnerability. Johansson commands "Ghost in the Shell" as her own. Scarlett powerfully captures the emblematic paradox; her Major is more machine, than human in her search for her very humanity—her soul. She inspires as the hero discovering and defining herself. Her creators create and design her as the perfect soldier to combat the global terrorist threat. She confesses to her beloved creator caretaker Dr. Ouelet, played by poignant and strong Juliette Binoche, "What I have is not real." She speaks of her memories and her past. Dr. Ouelet tells her hero that it is not the memories you hold, "It's what you do that defines you
" The screenplay by Jamie Moss, William Wheeler, and Ehren Kruger is based on the classic Manga by Masamune Shirow. This movie is also the reinvention of the 1995 Amine feature film. The 'ghost' is the remnant of soul implanted in the robotic or cybernetic 'shell'. Does the soul exist? One's design doesn't determine your purpose. Does the Major deserve to find love? I was happy that the search for the soul infused in this narrative, and that Johansson embodies the existential hero's purpose—discovering who she is. With brazen visual style the Major battles evil villains in literal pseudo-nakedness. Johansson is sexy, haunting, and isolated. This kind of symbolizes the stark lone nature of her very quest. As in the original Anime, the Major dramatically disrobes from her overcoat, then like the Dark Knight descends upon her evil prey. In a conflict arc the naked Major pummels the fleeing criminal in the rain filled pond, nearly killing. Her hulking fellow cyborg Batou, played by sarcastic but nurturing Pilou Asbaek, mercifully prevents her. The Major fights with calculated precision, and consumed rage. Since 'high-jacking' the program of a terrorist robot, the Major has bizarre images perhaps from her past. Is her dormant humanity emerging?This makes "Ghost in the Shell" compelling. Sanders's future Japan has the layered holographic feel of "Blade Runner" and the austere heroic night imagery of "The Dark Knight". The collective cyber- consciousness and virtual 'plug-ins' remind of "The Matrix". The Major discovering her inherent soul is amazing. Sanders falters a bit in the story arc when Johansson's Major talks with someone dear from her passed life. He is too restrained; he could have risked bringing us to tears. Poetically, he resolves this later in the Major's hero journey. After creating the Major, Machiavellian Hanka CEO Cutter, played by ruthlessly good Peter Ferdinado, transfers her to Section 9—the Government's elite anti-terrorist group. Section 9 is headed by the old and wise Aramaki, played with gravitas by Takeshi Kitnao. Batou becomes the Major's protector and friend, who may also be in love with her. Cutter distinguishes the Major as the revolutionary first of her kind. But is she the first? There are so many lies, including those surrounding the Major. The possible villain arises in cyber-enhanced Kuze, played by charismatic Michael Pitt. Section 9 and the Major investigates Kuze's murder of all those associated with 'Project 2571'—cloaked in secrecy. Perhaps, the Major was not the first? And the stories of her origins may be lies as well. The Major and Kuze's present and past may be tragically bound. I thoroughly enjoyed "Ghost in the Shell" for its visual style, thought provoking story, and entirely for Scarlett Johansson's performance. Her movie star presence transcends the character and the movie. I read and heard about the "whitewashing" in casting Scarlett instead of a Japanese actress as the Major. Johansson is amazing. The character of the Major is more machine, than human. "The Ghost in the Shell" is about the nature of the soul. Perhaps, the shape of your eyes has little to do with the quality of your soul. I say this as a Japanese American movie fan. The touching epilogue of "Ghost in the Shell" makes this perfectly clear. "Ghost in the Shell" is surprising and very gratifying. <less> |
