Movie Review: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
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What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that this movie is intended for older
adolescents and adults. It's slightly tamer than its
predecessor. Nudity and strong language are brief. The violence
is stylized. There is a lot of shooting and some blood.
Disturbing imagery blurs the lines between humans and robots,
such as a lifelike robot opening its chest to reveal wires. The
overall subject matter has a tendency to be heady and
philosophical.
Parents who see this film with their kids can talk about identity and the movie's themes about what it means to be human. They may also choose to discuss philosophical references in the film, such as quotes from Descartes, Confucius, and the Bible.
Common Sense Media Review
GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE begins three years after the
original, with the disappearance of undercover cop, Major
Kusanagi. The story centers on Kusanagi's new, more human
partner partner, the mountainous cyborg Batou, and their
investigation into the serial killings of "gynoids," robots
(the future's answer to geishas). Like Kusanagi before him,
Batou delves into dilemmas about the meaning of humanity in
relation to cybernetics and his "ghost," or soul.
Anime has come a long way since the first Ghost in the Shell (1995). The movie's gorgeous mix of traditional and 3-D animation makes for dynamic spectacle. Where the first Ghost had static dialogue scenes, INNOCENCE has diverting visuals. Unfortunately, INNOCENCE adds little new content. The plot is as convoluted as first movie's, and for all the metaphysics and philosophy involved, the story is not much different. Fans expecting a big payoff after a decade of waiting might be left wanting more.
People who enjoy GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE will probably want to check out the original Ghost in the Shell, as well as the TV series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and the animated Matrix spin-off The Animatrix.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
