Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

“Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” has been called a separate work and not a true sequel to director Mamoru Oshii’s previous film. Why the distinction? I don’t know. Perhaps to prepare audiences for a picture that’s vastly different? It can't have been a way for him to wash his hands of the project. There'd be no reason to be ashamed of what is a good follow-up to "Ghost in the Shell".

In a world where cyborgs are everywhere, Public Security Section 9 operatives Batou (voiced by Akio Ōtsuka) and Togusa (Kōichi Yamadera) are investigating a series of murders committed by malfunctioning doll-like gynoids. Something about the case doesn’t sit right with Batou. Or maybe he’s simply off kilter since the disappearance of his previous partner, Motoko Kusanagi.

We are not following the silicon-breasted Major anymore. Not a bad idea, as she would no longer be concerned with the type of case we have here. Like the first film, it’s a dizzying story with dead ends and clues whose importance is not immediately apparent. There are big shootouts and a lot of philosophical ideas/quotes being thrown around (one or two too many for my taste) They add to the film’s mood; it's as if everyone who has been augmented looks back fondly at something they’ve lost, having gained new insight a minute after a crucial decision. The animation is stellar, even if the CGI elements are more obvious this time around. We're still talking about deep subjects, but not the same questions are being asked. The film has everything that was good in the first, but little things here and there could be improved to achieve the same magnificence as the original picture. The subtitles, for example, desperately need to be updated.

This animated picture features scenes so good I wish live-action pictures would take note. The best example can only be described as a dream sequence in which the characters do not immediately recognize what is happening. How often have you been able to figure out that no matter what happens, it'll all be inconsequential when the character wakes up? In “Innocence”, I had to do a double-take. I wondered if I had sat on my remote and accidentally pressed a button. It all seemed so weird that I must’ve missed something. A few moments later, I understood. The film’s conclusion is also strong. It brings together all of the heady jargon, the visuals, and the thrills to great effect.

“Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” (not to be confused with “Ghost in the Shell 2.0”, the remastered version of the first movie) is an imperfect sequel. There are just a few little elements here and there that make it a lesser picture. It's forgivable."Innocence" is thoroughly entertaining, delightfully brainy and, my favourite, a logical continuation of the 1995 classic. (Original Japanese with English subtitles, March 29, 2017)