Ghost in the Shell

Animation: B+ (With the river scene rated as A+)

Story: C

Overall impression: B-

Ghost in the Shell is interesting, but really falls short of its full potiental. GITS is based on the excellent Manga, click to check out my thoughts on Ghost in the Shell the Manga. The movie tries to do to much though. It follow the Manga pretty closely for a while but because the manga is so large and deep, this causes it to jump around a lot. It really followed the manga so scenes are missing that would really help make the ending make more sence. Still, the movie is not a loss. It features one of the most beautifully drawn scenes ever, a ship slowly moves down the river and looks at the city as it passes. I watched the scene 3 times before I continued on with the movie. Really, if you rented this movie and just watched this part, you would get your money's worth. It is impossible to describe it, just see it, you will be glad you did. Some smaller scenes, like when a garbage man finds out the family and child he thinks he remembers, the life he thinks he had is just an implant is quite moving. The scene was lifted straight from the manga but it still works. Overall the movie is great to look at but the story falls short of its ambitions.