Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Waking up for the day, you take no notice of the changes around you: the same old weathered texture on the wall up above, the way the pattern on the drapes lets in small shafts of light every time the fan passes by. Rising up for the day, you get in the shower, and as the water pours over you a memory comes to you. It's a small vignette of someone who, against your better judgement, seems to fit right in; almost as if there was never a moment where they didn't belong.

 

On the calendar, you notice the year is 2029 and you look out the window to see the wide-sprawling metropolis in motion; you can't tell why, but you feel as if this has been your home for what feels like an eternity. You continue on with your day, yet as the hours wash on by, the memory seems to linger. Soon enough, you begin to wonder if it happened at all. You scour the depths of your mind in search of another instance in which this person or the place you were exists, but your efforts are in vain.

 

"There are countless ingredients that make up the human body and mind, like all the components that make up me as an individual with my own personality. Sure, I have a face and voice to distinguish myself from others, but my thoughts and memories are unique only to me, and I carry a sense of my own destiny. Each of those things are just a small part of it. I collect information to use in my own way. All of that blends to create a mixture that forms me and gives rise to my conscience."

 

Mamoru Oshii's 1995 cyberpunk anime, Ghost in the Shell, melds modernity with projections from the not-so-distant future in an attempt to explore the benefits and ramifications of technology's place in civilization. One of the most peculiar themes it explores is technology's role in the next stage of human evolution, and what effects it will have on identity, artificial intelligence, and consciousness.

 

With hardly a second wasted in its 83 minute runtime, this film moves with lighting quick precision and does not let up in its never-ending flow of information, which feels all the more fitting given the subject matter. This one is best-suited to multiple viewings, as many of the key elements, details, and points of discussion can be overtaken by the film's unrelenting pace. Join us as we try our best to tackle a few of the themes that this story presents.

 

Where to watch:
Amazon (Stream with Prime, Rent, or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy)
Google Play (Rent or Buy)
Vudu (Rent or Buy)

 

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