Much like Akira in the 1980s, this is the film that sets the standard by which all others of its kind are judged - and usually found wanting.
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted: 89
Fresh: 56
Rotten:33
Average Rating: 6.2/10
Consensus: The animation is lovely, but the plot is complex to the point of inscrutability, leaving Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence both original and numbing.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for violence, disturbing images and brief language
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:Sep 17, 2004 Limited
Box Office: $856,451
Synopsis: Nine years ago, writer/director Mamoru Oshii's widely influential "Ghost in the Shell" burst onto the international film scene, becoming one of the most successful anime films of all time. Now,... Nine years ago, writer/director Mamoru Oshii's widely influential "Ghost in the Shell" burst onto the international film scene, becoming one of the most successful anime films of all time. Now, Oshii returns with the long-awaited sequel "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence." "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" is set in 2032, when the line between humans and machines has been blurred almost beyond distinction. Humans have virtually forgotten what it means to be entirely human in both body and spirit, and the few humans that are left coexist with cyborgs (human spirits inhabiting entirely mechanized bodies) and dolls (robots with no human elements at all). Batou is a cyborg. His body is artificial: the only remnants left of his humanity are traces of his brain…and the memories of a woman called The Major. A detective for the government's covert anti-terrorist unit, Public Security Section 9, Batou is investigating the case of a gynoid—a hyper-realistic female robot created specifically for sexual companionship—who malfunctions and slaughters her owner. As Batou delves deeper into the investigation, questions arise about humanity's need to immortalize its image in dolls. Together, Batou and his partner must take on violent Yakuza thugs, devious hackers, government bureaucrats and corporate criminals to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime. "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" is the story of a solitary cyborg who desperately wants to hold on to what's left of his humanity in a world where the worth of the human soul is fading almost into obscurity. "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" was written and directed by Mamoru Oshii based on an original story by Shirow Masamune. Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Toshio Suzuki produced the film. It is the second anime film to be released under the banner of Go Fish Pictures, a division of DreamWorks Pictures. "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" was the first anime film ever to compete for the Cannes International Film Festival's coveted Palme d'Or. It also joined the ranks of such animated classics as "Dumbo" (1947), "Peter Pan" (1953), "Fantastic Planet" (1973), "Shrek" (2001) and "Shrek 2" (2004) to become only the sixth animated film to compete at Cannes. -- © Go Fish Pictures [More]
Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Naoto Takenaka, Ruby
Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Naoto Takenaka, Ruby
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Composer: Kenji Kawai
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
Get This Movie
Reviews for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
the mind-blowing story and its reality-bending aesthetic form a sublime continuum, where the medium becomes part of the message...this is animation at its most acute and enthralling.
Mamoru Oshii's 2004 follow-up to his 1995 anime noir is that rare sequel that surpasses the original.
Too talky and philosophical for kids, and dabbling in lavish imagery that lacks enough narrative coherence to hook adults, this is an animated feature that, well, needed to get a little more animated.
The elegance, attention to detail, the invention and expertise all ensure that the movie’s never less than visually breathtaking.
Muddled up with philosophising about the relationship between mind and the material world.
The staggering beauty of Oshii's animation more than makes up for the fact that his plot is completely impenetrable.
One long, tedious rumination on the blurring distinction between man and machines.
If you're already an anime fan, this is required viewing. If not, this isn't going to convert you anytime soon.
Japanese animated film which explores the nature of post-modern existence and consciousness is a mixed bag in terms of both narrative and images.
While one can’t accuse Innocence of being dim, it is certainly long winded and cliché.
Oshii allows the plot to be overwhelmed by a slew of cockamamie musings on the nature of existence that wouldn't float in a late-night dorm room smokeout.
With this beautiful, thought-provoking, adrenaline-fuelled film, Oshii heralds a truly post-human era in which all forms of 'life' deserve our respect.
Pure, wordless cinema, existing in a realm too deliciously mysterious to pull down.
In this anime it's a basset hound that brings the only bits of warmth.
Occasional passages of shell-cracking egghead overload aside, there's no getting past Innocence's astounding visual power.
Latest News for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
January 22, 2007:
"Ghost" in a Live-Action "Shell"?
This falls under the 'news before the actual news' category, but according to ComingSoon.net, Variety is reporting that Kodansha, the company behind the popular "Ghost in... More...
December 07, 2004:
The Annie Awards Announce Their Nominations
More...
Related Forums for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
79% 79% |
Gran Torino |
30% 30% |
12 Rounds |
23% 23% |
Confessions of a Shopa… |
|
The Code |
39% 39% |
Inkheart |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
22% 22% |
Push |
12% 12% |
The Unborn |
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence at Rotten Tomatoes
- Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence at IGN
- Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.



Top Critic


