A visual feast that trades philosophical depth for surface-level spectacle.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Ghost in the Shell is lukewarm, with scores clustering around the midpoint. Nearly every critic acknowledges the film's striking visual effects and production design as its strongest asset, and Scarlett Johansson's performance draws consistent praise. However, reviewers broadly agree that the screenplay is shallow and fails to deliver the depth of its source material, with several noting that the film's flashy aesthetics come at the cost of narrative substance and emotional engagement.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 7 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Film review ·
Ghost in The Shell has a marvelous, beautiful shell but the soul within gets bland at times. I would still recommend you to watch this movie for the amazing visual beauty each frame has to offer and of course, Scarlett Johansson.
Film review ·
Watch this one for ScarJo. It's not much of an effort to sit through. And what's more, it is an incredibly good looking film. But it could have been so much better.
Film review ·
Scarlett Johansson cements her position as one of the best action stars in the world with this adaptation of the classic Japanese anime that inspired the Matrix.
Film review ·
Combined with seamless CGI work, this is a stunning film to watch in IMAX 3D, one that can probably be enjoyed by an audience unaware of its origins. Fans of that cult classic however, will find this merely a decorative 'shell' of its former self.
Film review ·
For all the visual gleam and action and blinding city lights that are on offer, stripped of Japanese identity, Jamie Moss and Ehren Kruger's screenplay could very well have been set in New York City or Moscow, and it would not have made any difference to the final product.
Film review ·
The problem with this film is not the choice of actors but the fact that it's overwhelmingly flashy slickness renders everything else almost inanimate.
Film review ·
Ghost in the Shell is a visually arresting film that has it occasional moments of brilliance in the action scenes, but fails to hold your attention for long.
Credits
Scarlett Johansson"Major" Motoko Kusanagi
Takeshi KitanoDaisuke Aramaki
Pilou AsbækBatou
Michael PittThe Laughing Man
Chin HanTogusa
Juliette BinocheDr. Ouelet
Rila Fukushima
Yutaka IzumiharaSaito
Kaori Momoi
Lasarus RatuereIshikawa
Tawanda ManyimoRoma
Michael Wincott
Tricky
Christopher ObiAmbassador Kiyoshi
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