‘Ghost in the Shell’: Why It’s So Hard to Get the Anime Classic Right
Photofest 'Ghost in the Shell' (2017), left; 'Ghost in the Shell' (1995) Mamoru Oshii's 1995 film is a masterpiece that revels in the enigmatic and rejoices in the undefined in a way that is difficult to replicate. In 1995, the animated Ghost in the Shell was in many ways a revolution. It explored of concepts of evolution, identity, and the human soul, and in a lineup of praiseworthy films that tackle those issues, such as Metropolis, Frankenstein, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and Ex Machina, Ghost in the Shell remains a standout. Now that Rupert Sanders' remake has hit theaters, it's worth reflecting on Mamoru Oshii's film and examining which of his anime's praiseworthy elements have made their way into the 2017 version — and which didn't. Even those who've not seen the original film will likely recognize a number of its striking visuals, many of which have been repurposed in such films as…