Do you want to see ‘Ghost in the Shell’?

Ghost in the Shell (1996)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 31
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 2

A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the genre.

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 0

A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the genre.

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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 78,967

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Movie Info

In the year 2029, the world has become interconnected by a vast electronic network that permeates every aspect of life. That same network also becomes a battlefield for Tokyo's Section Nine security force, which has been charged with apprehending the master hacker known only as the Puppet Master. Spearheading the investigation is Major Motoko Kusanagi, who -- like many in her department -- is a cyborg officer, far more powerful than her human appearance would suggest. And yet as the Puppet

R, 1 hr. 25 min.

Animation, Anime & Manga, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

Written By: Kazunori Ito

In Theaters: Mar 29, 1996 Wide

On DVD: Nov 18, 2003

Palm Pictures

Ghost in the Shell Trailer & Photos

Cast

Steve Davis
Diplomat
Richard George
Bateau
William Knight
Aramaki
Hank Smith
Minister

Critic Reviews for Ghost in the Shell

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (3) | DVD (17)

Mamoru Oshii's direction deftly merges gritty realism with a dreamlike quality.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle

| Comment

Laura Evenson

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

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

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

This is exactly the kind of film that James Cameron would make if they ever let him through the Disney front gates.

July 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment (1)

Clark Collis

Empire Magazine

Thrilling, compelling, moving and visually splendid, this isn't just a classic anime, it's a great film.

September 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Daniel Etherington

Film4

This cyberpunk policier doesn't make much sense on a narrative level, but the visuals are gorgeously designed and sometimes genuinely breathtaking.

April 16, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Conjures up a dazzling, futuristic cityscape that, sadly, is not matched by the human landscapes at the heart of the story.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

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

May 3, 2005 Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness

| Comment

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Surprisingly less interesting than its sequel

February 2, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Habit

| Comment

Marty Mapes

Movie Habit

Surprisingly less interesting than its sequel

January 28, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Habit

| Comment

Marty Mapes

Movie Habit

O visual e a qualidade da anima��o s�o incr�veis, e a hist�ria � bastante criativa.

July 25, 2003 Comment

Pablo Villaca

Cinema em Cena

Adds an intriguing philosophical dimension to the cyber-thriller genre.

May 20, 2003 Comment

Susan Tavernetti

Palo Alto Weekly

Its animation is so rich in meticulous and sumptuous detail that it blows previous Japanese landmarks like Akira simply out of the water.

May 12, 2003 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

| Comment (1)

James O'Ehley

Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

Ultimately Ghost in the Shell remains a hard sell, with sluggish pacing and sloppy storytelling effectively smothering the strengths of this lackluster effort.

May 11, 2003 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle

| Comments (10)

Joey O'Bryan

Austin Chronicle

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Audience Reviews for Ghost in the Shell

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The film that redefined the cyber-punk genre is complex, resonant and astonishingly animated. Taking the idea of artificial intelligence to a point of human reality and highlighting the emotional turmoil of existence, "Ghost in the Shell" explores what makes humans as such and with such a serious, atmospheric and

January 27, 2012

Matthew Roe

Super Reviewer

I recognize this movies influence, especially in the realms of sci-fi animes and the Matrix movies, but influential does not always make a film good. The animation is very stunning to look at. Their is good amount of visual eye candy to go around, especially shots of the cityscape. If only I can say the same thing

June 13, 2011

Christopher Heim

Super Reviewer

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