Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)

It's not stated on the box art, but Dir. Kazuya Nomura's film is a continuation of the Arise version of GitS and a sequel to the Pyrophoric Cult episode(s).
Set in the year 2029, it begins with a hostage situation that doesn't quite go to plan and the assassination of a very public figure. Working independently of Public Security Section 9, Motoko and her team investigate further.
The plot is complicated. If I understood it correctly, it boils down to progress in cyberization and how that relates to what's termed the "Third World". Various parties want to push the advent of new tech, while others want to halt it. In the middle are the profiteers, individuals or corporations who care only about personal agendas or bottom line profits. Repeat viewings may change my opinion, but right now I feel like there were a number of unresolved issues in The New Movie's script that make the Arise reboot feel still unfinished.

3 things to do afterwards out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Pyrophoric Cult (2015)

Fire-Starter, mentioned in previous episodes but never fully explored, is the central threat in PC, pushed to the fore when a group of cyber-brain engineers are murdered. Discovering why the killings happened and why those specific individuals were targeted is a mystery that the Section 9 team must solve.
The entry picks up some loose ends that were left after Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014), and it leads directly into GitS: The New Movie (2015). That means it's a bridge narrative, a situation that's very apparent, given that it has no end - it's an enjoyable adventure for the most part, but it feels like half a story. The dual purpose of Pyrophoric Cult defines it, completely, so you'll need to explore the other works in order to get the most from it.

3 game plans out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014)

In the last of the four-part Arise series an anonymous tip puts the Section 9 team on the trail of a hacker who has developed a unique cyber-brain infection program that enables memories to be overwritten and changed.
The story is complex and the action is plentiful, but Border 4 isn't as satisfying as the other three. The music didn't fit the visuals a lot of the time and the animation occasionally seemed rushed.
There was potential for dangerous hesitation and second-guessing of thought and actions (had their own memories been altered, and/or could they still trust the 'whispers' from their ghost?) but it went in a different direction - a direction that's still a very recognisable part of the Ghost in the Shell world, but a less dramatic one than I feel it could've been.

3 yellow bricks out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears (2014)

Motoko's forced to put her personal life on hold to focus instead on a difficult case that overlaps with her past. It’s interesting to see her exhibit strong feelings not related to duty and honour. By making her seem more human they also deepen her reasons for controlling that side of herself.
A tertiary character haunts the background from time to time, waiting for Border 4 (2014) to reveal her true intentions, no doubt.
When the team are assembled around Aramaki's desk for a mission briefing it feels just like Ghost in the Shell ought to feel. But they aren't the fully-formed Section 9 just yet. They need one more member in order to gain the privileges needed to help them be the best at what they do. And let's not forget that brave little Logicoma.

4 mermaid legs out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whisper (2013)

Under instruction from Aramaki, ex-501 member Motoko Kusanagi begins to assemble her team, but first she must break through their prejudices and convince them that Section 9 really is the good guys. That part of it benefits from groundwork laid down in previous incarnations, but there’s a whole other politically-charged story going on at the same time to keep you glued to the screen. An investigation into which provides ample opportunity for Kusanagi to display the kind of daring and improvisation that justifies the trust and faith Aramaki places in her. The beginnings of mutual respect are born from the resulting twists and turns.

5 slip roads out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

Despite the changes since SAC, there’s still much the same. The framing, scenery and even the camera movements are similar to Kenji Kamiyama's.
Of the two main differences, the first, Motoko, is less upsetting than I’d feared. It’s a prequel, so she’s younger and less experienced. She also looks odd, but only for a short time. Her confidence, her movements and her decision making is as normal, so I was able to look beyond the shell very quickly; it’s her, there’s no doubt of that.
What I found harder to accept was the change in music. There's an occasional nod to Kenji Kawai that I really liked, but elsewhere the absence of Yoko Kanno's evocative themes was heavily felt.
I’d have preferred a 3rd GIG, but the events in this kept me hooked and by the end I was completely on board; all fears were washed away.

4 absent limbs out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society (2006)

SSS is set two years after the end of the SAC TV Series. I'd recommend you DO NOT watch it until after you've seen all of SAC 2nd GIG.
Section 9 continues to function despite their loss, but the organisation seems to be almost on the verge of fragmenting. A new threat known as the Puppeteer brings the team together and in doing so exposes the inner feelings of some key members.
The story is pulled in opposing directions for a long time. It's frustrating, but by the end it delivers as only SAC can.
It feels like an extended episode, which is as much praise for the TV Series as it is any kind of criticism of the film.

3½ nods to Oshii out of 5

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man (2007)

A 154 minute edit culled from 300+ minutes of 'Complex' episodes of the first SAC series (for a fuller explanation of that see HERE). It keeps the action but losses much of the philosophical underpinnings.
A new dub replaces the usual cast. It wasn't as bad as I’d feared, except for Batou who was lifeless and limp, rendering the character emotionally vacant; his unspoken feelings were almost completely excised.
Had this been the Laughing Man episodes collected without cuts, retaining the regular cast, it would've scored a perfect 5 out of 5. Instead, it stumbles over the line with a half-assed insult on its lips.
I can’t recommend it as a substitute for the series. For existing fans, there's a new Tachikomatic Days episode. It’s the only part of real interest.

1½ deaf-mutes out of 5

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

I'm limited in what I can say because it'll be mostly spoiler, so I'll stick to basics: Section 9 members Batou and Togusa are assigned to investigate a series of  murders perpetrated by gynoids. The investigation opens doors to a great deal of spiralling philosophy and ruminations on the nature of humanity.

Animation and character movement are superb, with backgrounds even more detailed than before. The plot is at times mind-bending and at other times simple and understatedly heartfelt. It's not passive viewing, so you'll need to engage and question what you're given if you want to get the most from it.

4 cyborg sluts out of 5

Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008)

2.0 is NOT Ghost in the Shell part two, for that see here. It's the first film given some digital jiggery-pokery. The original score was re-recorded. The English language dub updated. Colours were changed to more closely match the sequel and in so doing eliminated some subtle animation and changed the symbolism near the end. Finally, as if they hadn't abused it enough, they added some really shitty CGI. Really shitty!
The blu-ray of 2.0 contains both versions, but the original film is bad quality; for a better encode of it stick with the old DVD edition, not this.

3 'fixes' that don't out of 5

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

William Gibson popularised cyberspace and over a decade later the combined efforts of Masamune Shirow and Mamoru Oshii made it kick mainstream ass.
The pacing is a little clunky at times, but you may be too busy trying to wrap your head around the concepts on your first viewing to really care.
It’s intelligent, sexy, slick and influential; a good place to start if you’re new to anime. The dub occasionally contradicts the subs, so a viewing of both is recommended until you settle on a personal preference.

5 ghost hacks before breakfast out of 5