AA Ghost In The Shell Review

[holdenmcclure]

Have you seen the AA review for the Ghost In The Shell movie?
Please post if you agree with the ratings or not.

I think its nuts.

[Kavik Ryx]

I predict this thread being moved, but since I've never seen GITS, I can't argue.

[holdenmcclure]

Whoops, where was I supposed to put THE THREAD (fixed due to innuendo and lack of user maturity)

[Barrelhaven]

Whoops, where was I supposed to put it

Way to set yourself up for an easy one.

[holdenmcclure]

Innuendos aside could somebody actually provide a real answer here?

[Tremolo]

Innuendos aside could somebody actually provide a real answer here?

Here: http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

It'll probably be moved soonish!

And I agree with the review. I vastly prefer the wonderful TV series.

[holdenmcclure]

Thanks for the info, unfortunately I can't move this thread so if a mod could help me out.....

[Barrelhaven]

I'm disappointed in Kain's review here, not because of the actual rating, but by the basis behind the score. It just seems so vague and much more subjective than what's usually the standard from the reviewers.

It's clear he's already a pretty jaded customer when it comes to the cyber-punk genre, as even the thought of another "stock futuristic sci-fi story" makes him wary. He calls the plot "soulless" and "non-innovative" but doesn't particularly explain why. It seemed he went in expecting revolutionary content, and got the formulaic storyline of the genre. He doesn't elaborate if, even despite being generic, the story was executed well or not. Re-use of past ideas isn't exactly a "flaw"...it's all about how you present the material. Being something innovative adds bonus points, but you shouldn't just bash something simply for playing off a cliche routine.

He also criticized the use of "techno-babble" and "cold, calculating personalities", despite the fact most people would want to watch the title simply for those reasons. In a way, it'd be the same as criticizing Azumanga Daioh for having inane conversations and cheery, bubbly personalities.

This line, in particular, sorta grated with me: "I realize that was the intention, but good intentions do not a good anime make." It implies that employing the previously stated aspects are inherently flawed, and that they are somehow inferior to other character personalities or forms of dialogue. It'd make more sense if he actually explained why those aspects were such a hindrance to the show, instead of merely stating them as universal facts.

Now, compare that to the third paragraph of Lieg's review, and you'll see a world of difference. There, you can see why the plot execution is poor, why it's hard to connect with the characters, and why the story isn't very fleshed out. Even if you may disagree with some points, you can at least see where the reviewer is coming from, and the logic behind the claims. So, despite both reviews saying essentially the same thing, the latter is much more comprehensive.

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

Here: http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

It'll probably be moved soonish!

And I agree with the review. I vastly prefer the wonderful TV series.
Well the TV series has had the benefit of a whole team of writers and a few years added wisdom :)

I honestly love both; currently watching my lovely slim 2ndGiG boxset (20 quid!!!!) ^_^

[Mana]

We'll get around to moving your thread, no worries.

Wait, I just moved it.... TIME PARADOX.

Trem is right. The description for the Library forum where we currently are is "Disagree with our grades or wish to share your own? Here's the place." We do strongly encourage users to form their own opinions about our reviews and give us feedback!

When making new threads, it's normally good practice to read the forum descriptions to best learn where you should create your thread. At least until you learn how the forums are set up.

Of course, we do all make mistakes, and that's what us mods are for. We do, however, prefer that people simply to reply to the thread topic and let the mods do their thing when they come on. There's no need for a whole list of posts about the thread being moved! I forgive you all though, because I am Mana and I love you <3

[Milkymagic]

http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showpost.php?p=561001&postcount=18

The bottom of that post pretty much breaks down my opinion on the Ghost in the Shell movies.

Do I agree with the reviews for this anime? Well, I choose to understand a review instead of agreeing or disagreeing with it.

Kain showed equal criticism for another Mamoru Oshii favorite with Angel's Egg, and boy was I blown away by how much he didn't like it, though I can see where he comes from at the very least. Of course, I've already expressed why I liked Angel's Egg in this thread (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25281), so there you have it! ;)

Or even with Jin-Roh, I didn't find it a masterpiece quite like Kain did, but I have my own reasons for thinking so.

I would say that I wouldn't give Ghost in the Shell the same ratings as the AA Professors who reviewed it, but I'm not going to disagree with their reviews if they express where exactly their dissatisfaction came from.

Basically, I have an opinion, but I try to be very passive with how I express it! :D

[ZZalapski]

I thought the movie was overrated. After watching it with my roommates at the time, we were wondering what the fuss was about. While the premise was certainly interesting, the script dragged and the characterization was antiseptic. There would have to be monetary and/or alcoholic incentive for me to rewatch it, and there are oodles of titles I'd recommend to others before this one. (Like the TV series. It's so much better than the movie it's not even funny.)

Mid- to high-60s sounds about right for the rating.

[animanic_critic]

To tell you the truth, I don't agree with Kain's review (even though it's his opinion after all). To Kain, it may be just an eye candy but to me it's more philosophical than many would think. The only problem with the philosophical thing is that it's too dry and verbose to most liking.

If the philosophical part is to be the main course, then the 'dessert' and 'appetizer' must have some adequate action, like what GITS: SAC did which makes it the more popular choice for most viewers.

[C0MPL3X]

To tell you the truth, I don't agree with Kain's review (even though it's his opinion after all). To Kain, it may be just an eye candy but to me it's more philosophical than many would think. The only problem with the philosophical thing is that it's too dry and verbose to most liking.

If the philosophical part is to be the main course, then the 'dessert' and 'appetizer' must have some adequate action, like what GITS: SAC did which makes it the more popular choice for most viewers.
GITS movie arguably had more stylized action than SAC. To me, this is still one of the finest work of aesthetics in anime. But there is no doubt that this movie falls under the field of pretentious. Basically it doesn't demonstrate the message that it wants to convey. I believe animation should be about senses and not about representation and representation is exactly what GITS is. The puppet master represents an artificial intelligence that developed a ghost, a soul, and therefore just as human, if not more human than Major and others. Yet it's lifeless and devoid of any human feelings. It recites long monologue of ideas, philosophers that most anime viewers have not heard of, and expect us to swallow them when what we see in anime clearly contradicts it. To make an obvious and more well-known comparison, Blade Runner is imo about senses. You get a clear sense of human qualities within the replicants. Humans see them as tools, and they seem themselves differently, but none of them matters because we sense their pain, desire and most importantly, willingness to forgive another because he is able to empathise with another.

*bleh, I tried finding an old thread where we had this discussion but I guess it was destroyed along with Mononoke thread and others.

[Taleweaver]

Just to add a quick note, Kain's review of GitS was one of the reasons for me to apply for AA Professor. I disagreed with it so heavily that I felt at least someone had to stand up for that wonderful, exciting and deep movie. One of my first posts here at the lounge was a student review about GitS, quite for the same reasons, and if I haven't added a lecture until today, it's because I'd rather offer some guidance on recent or little known anime than add another enthusiastic opinion on a movie most otaku will already know well.

You grow with time, I guess.

[Enoah Ballard]

While the premise was certainly interesting, the script dragged and the characterization was antiseptic. There would have to be monetary and/or alcoholic incentive for me to rewatch it, and there are oodles of titles I'd recommend to others before this one. (Like the TV series. It's so much better than the movie it's not even funny.)

Mid- to high-60s sounds about right for the rating.

Well put. I'd go further and say every almost every aspect of the film dragged apart from some of the action scenes.