Paramount’s blockbuster adaptation of Ghost In the Shell is the latest Eastern culture-themed superhero-style character story to face major backlash and controversy – arriving just weeks after Marvel’s Iron Fist Netflix series has come under similar fire.
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But Iron Fist has its connection to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (and a longer Netflix shelf-life) to help it overcome its flaws; Ghost In The Shell has much less mainstream visibility and/or screen time to make its sell. To help give the film a head start, Paramount has released a clip of approx 5 minutes of footage from the opening sequence, featuring Scarlett Johansson‘s protagonist, “The Major,” in action!
The scene is a variation on the opening sequence to Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 Ghost In The Shell animated movie, which opened with The Major on a similar strike mission involving government officials. Of course, director Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) adds a lot more visual flare and action, where Oshii’s film was much more atmospheric and slow-burn Noir. Johansson’s Major also happens to hae a bit more modesty; The Major in the anime film tended to go into battle topless….
While Ghost In The Shell looks great, visually, the acting and characters seem flat compared to the lavish and intriguing sci-fi world they populate. That was Sanders’ exact problem on SWATH: such great style, but lacking substance. This close to release date, it’s up to the action and Johansson’s star power to attract mainstream audiences; it doesn’t seem like anyone is all that clear what story Ghost In The Shell is telling. But this is a cool opening scene, though…
Ghost In The Shell currently holds a 3.46/5 Anticipation Rating with our users, which suggests that there is considerable fan interest in the film. Are you going to give them the chance to do blockbuster Anime adaptations the Hollywood way? Or do you see this as just cultural exploitation? Let us know by ranking your aniticipation for Ghost In The Shell, below!
Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, Ghost in the Shell follows the Major (Scarlett Johansson), a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.
The cast also includes Beat Takeshi Kitano as Daisuke Aramaki, Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet, Michael Pitt as Kuze, Pilou Asbรฆk as Batou, and Kaori Momoi. The members of Section 9 are played by Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara and Tuwanda Manyimo.
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