Scarlett Johansson is spectacular in this fantastic live-action take on the classic anime.
Vapid eye candy that’s about as shallow as a puddle.
Not the most original film you’ll see this year, but Ghost in the Shell’s visually stunning sci-fi world demands to be seen on the big screen.
Whatever its shortcomings, it underlines Johansson’s credentials as the most charismatic and versatile screen superheroine of her era.
Johansson does cyberbattle in a westernised reimagining of the Japanese anime classic that proves watchable but doesn’t have the spirit of the original.
So heavily derivative it doesn’t feel like anything new, and there’s little depth beneath that slick surface. But it’s solid and attractive, at least, with a retro appeal to its cyberpunk stylings.
This iteration of Ghost in the Shell works as a solid franchise starter, one that reconfirms Johansson’s status as a bona fide blockbuster star deserving of such headline roles.
Ghost In The Shell is a sleek, futuristic, action-packed thriller and an undeniable visual feast but the clunky dialogue and stiff performances make this feel all a little soulless.
This Hollywood remake of the 90s anime classic pays tribute to the original while broadening its appeal. And it looks fantastic.
Original Ghost in the Shell director: 'no basis' for whitewashing anger.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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