Today’s quick review: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. Following a string of grisly murders by a prototype line of robots, Batou and Togusa of Section 9 are tasked with investigating Locus Solus, the company responsible for the robots’ manufacture. As the case becomes more tangled, Batou withdraws deeper into himself, following in the footsteps of his missing partner Major Motoko Kusanagi, a legendary Section 9 operative.
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is a Japanese animated science fiction movie based on the manga by Shirow Masamune. Ghost in the Shell 2 is a sober, thoughtful sequel to the original film. Innocence revisits the cybernetic future of Japan and its questions of authenticity, reality, and humanity. Like its predecessor, the movie offers an investigation-driven plot, a dash of sci-fi action, and a detailed world.
Even among the philosophical Ghost in the Shell franchise, Innocence is an outlier. The film is peppered with philosophical quotes, tangential discussions about the nature of the soul, and brooding still shots that slow the action to a crawl. Where other Ghost in the Shell adaptations blend action and speculation almost seamlessly, Innocence skews heavily to the thoughtful side. As a result its plot unfolds at a slow, almost plodding pace.
Innocence opts for a melancholy tone that takes the detachment of the original movie to its logical conclusion. Its characters, already prone to introspection, become even more isolated. Batou and Togusa work by themselves on the case, and the rest of Section 9 appear briefly if at all. The disappearance of the Major takes with it much of the movie’s proactive spark; the investigation feels hopeless even when it is going well.
The film’s visuals and presentation are right in line with its dour tone. Washed-out colors, unsettling imagery, and odd camera angles all put the viewer on edge. The combination of hand-drawn characters and CGI environments is another peculiar choice. The CGI is of reasonably high quality, but it’s distracting and doesn’t add much to the film. On the whole, Innocence is visually sound but not nearly as striking as the original.
Give Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence a shot if you’re a fan of the philosophical side of science fiction. The film’s slow pacing and middling action make it a poor choice for those looking for escapism, but its strong craftsmanship and rich speculation make it a worthwhile watch for the right kind of fan. Those looking for proper action would do better with Appleseed. For surreal but emotionally satisfying speculation about the mind, check out Paprika.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for science fiction that’s well-crafted, highly abstract, and a little short on impact.