Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

In the year 2032, Batô, a cyborg detective for the anti-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, investigates the case of a female robot--one created solely for sexual pleasure--who slaughtered her owner.

Director:

Mamoru Oshii

Writers:

Shirow Masamune (comic "Koukaku-Kidoutai") (as Masamune Shirow), Mamoru Oshii (screenplay)

Stars:

Akio Ôtsuka, Atsuko Tanaka, Tamio Ôki

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Akio Ôtsuka	...	Batou (voice)
Atsuko Tanaka	...	Major Motoko Kusanagi (voice)
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Togusa (voice)
Tamio Ôki	...	Section 9 Department Chief Aramaki (voice)
Yutaka Nakano	...	Ishikawa (voice)
Naoto Takenaka	...	Kim (voice)
Gou Aoba	...	(voice) (as Go Aoba)
Eisuke Asakura	...	(voice)
Yuzuru Fujimoto	...	(voice)
Emiko Fuku	...	(voice)
Masao Harada	...	(voice)
Minoru Hirano	...	(voice)
Hiroaki Hirata	...	Koga (voice)
Katsunosuke Hori	...	(voice)
Sukekiyo Kameyama	...	(voice)

Storyline

Batô is a living cyborg. His whole body, even his arms and legs, are entirely man-made. What only remains are traces of his brain and the memories of a woman. In an era when the boundary between humans and machines has become infinitely vague, Humans have forgotten that they are humans. This is the debauchery of the lonesome ghost of a man, who nevertheless seeks to retain humanity. Innocence... Is what life is.

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Plot Keywords:

cyborg | philosophy | cyberpunk | artificial intelligence | gangster | 

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Taglines:

When machines learn to feel, who decides what is human...

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and brief language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Batou's access code for his car is 2501, the same number of the Puppet Master. In the first Ghost in the Shell movie, this is the recognition code agreed on between Motoko and Batou after her fusion with the Puppet Master and before she disappears. In Innocence, this is how Batou recognises that the infinite loop he and Togusa are experiencing in the Doll House is a trap - Motoko slips him clues in the hallway, one of which is '2501'.

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Goofs

During the forensics examination, one of the computer screens misspells "research" as "RESAERCH".

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Quotes

Major Motoko Kusanagi: We weep for a bird's cry, but not for a fish's blood. Blessed are those with a voice. If the dolls also had voices, they would have screamed, "I didn't want to become human."

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Connections

References Max Headroom (1987)

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Soundtracks

River of Crystals
Lyrics by Miu Sakamoto
Music by Kenji Kawai
Arranged by Kenji Kawai
Sung by Kimiko Itô
Courtesy of VideoArts Music

User Reviews

A visually stunning journey through ethics and philosophy of artificial intelligence.

The first thing that must be said about this film, is that the visuals and imagery are breathtaking. Yet it does not rely solely on our awe. The plot, although very complicated and often convoluted, is rich and laden with allegories, philosophy, analysis and even theology. At first glance, the characters appear to be static and somewhat stoic, but when one thinks about it, the characters are that way to represent the similarities we share with "dolls." Does an effigy infused with meaning and symbol constitute as a being on it's own accord? Or are we simply defined by the mere fact that we are alive? The film is laden with imagery suggesting the war/hybridization of: nature vs. machines/synthetic life, how machines mimic nature, how tradition becomes assimilated by it, and how reality may or may not be a virtual construct based on our own perspective. This is an intellectual, symbolic film that not only gives eye-candy galore, but also delivers more cerebral fare than most films. Although the characters are ultimately forgettable (save the expressive dog owned by Bateau,) one can perceive that too as being a tool to suggest that ultimately, we are all drones living our predictable lives...perhaps unaware of more intricate powers and forces surrounding us. Whether you watch this film for the state-of-the-art visuals or the perceivably potent content, I recommend this film enthusiastically for anyone who would like to think...or just say "ah" at the incredible scenery.

Details

Official Sites:

Go Fish Pictures - Teaser Site [United States]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese Cantonese English

Release Date:

24 September 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Box Office

Budget:

JPY2,000,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$317,722, 19 September 2004

Gross USA:

$1,043,896

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,789,651

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandai Visual Company, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, DENTSU Music And Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1