Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)

This was some bull crap. This movie was almost nothing like the original ghost in the shell. For what ever reason there is an unexplained conflict between two characters that is in no way explained what so ever.this was so bland that I found my self falling asleep. The entire plot is freaking confusing. I don't even why some of the stuff in the film is happening. There is so many freaking cliff hanger that I lost count. This was a very poor attempt to revive ghost in the shell. Watch this crap if your curious. The animation was new but the constant cameos of Microsoft tablets were annoying considering this is a Prequel and that the original ghost in the shell did not have smartphones or tablets because during that era, they did not exist

Prequels are usually pointless, telling story lines that we already know and cashing-in on the popularity of previous films. If you look at it from this perspective, which I am, prequels are often lazy attempts to milk that cash cow dry!Any new GITS (haha, gits) variation, therefore, is always going to be compared to what came before it - supposedly what comes after it. The original films by Mamoru Oshii are standards by which a lot of anime is set, complemented by the two strong 'GITS: Stand Alone Complex' series by Kenji Kamiyama. So, as I've stated I'm going to do this, I will compare the new incarnations to the previous works, because I'm like that.To start, the look of the animation and character design is very much more aligned with the 'Stand Alone Complex' TV series and this is not necessarily a bad thing. The lead characters have obviously been designed to look younger, with the greatest age difference seeming to come in Major Kusunagi's character, looking more like an obnoxious schoolgirl than anything. Secondly: the sound. Whether the previous films or TV series, the music has always been strong in 'Ghost in the Shell', but here it is altogether more bizarre. 'Stand Alone Complex' had good music, but was a big step down from Kenji Kawai's original soundtracks. And the 'GITS: Arise' offerings are a further step down. The opening credits are what sounds like the result of a fan staying up all night on their computer with some completely non-descript pieces throughout. With the opening credits, immediately you feel that this is not going to be as good as what came before. Lastly, the story lines: With both 'Border 1: Ghost Pain' and 'Border 2: Ghost Whispers', the story lines are quite political and quite uninteresting. Neither particularly grabs the attention and can lead to moments of distraction along the way. Perhaps the problem is the duration of these prequels. At around fifty minutes each, they do not offer the ability to delve as deep as the films, nor offer bite-size story lines in a more grand arc, like 'Stand Alone Complex'. For me, this is probably the key failing. Oshii's films were visual feasts, offering moments of reflection and philosophy in between lavish pieces of animation, getting into the psychology of its characters. The two TV series also developed interesting story lines over their twenty- six episodes. Depth and detail are what made 'Ghost in the Shell' so interesting. 'Arise' just seems to lack this a little. All-in-all, the 'Arise' series of prequels just doesn't create enough interest, other than being a new take on a well-established franchise. They will always be compared to what came before them: it will always happen. One can only hope the next instalment, 'Ghost Tears' will offer something more. But currently, they feel little more than a couple of 'GITS: SAC' episodes - and not particularly your favourites - that don't do quite enough to stand alone. politic1983.blogspot.co.uk

Now If I am honest I went into this movie a bit sceptically due to the looks of the trailers. But upon pressing play I found the new visual design to be of little consequence and very soon I settled down to what I hoped would be an enjoyable watch. So where did it all go wrong! Well not graphically! I can tell you, graphic quality is not an issue in this production. In fact this is very much a spectacle rich movie in line with western blockbusters as far as that goes, but just like western blockbusters the brains have left the building! It's all flash and no bang, the plot is both boring and stupid, the pacing of the non action moments are so poor you find yourself drifting and thinking about shopping lists and laundry! The things that made GITS so special above its setting its look and even its main characters, was it depth and intelligence! You will find little of either in this film. It is not bad, it is just no where near a 7 out of 10. It is a mediocre 5, watch it and forget it.

This was excellent (you can now leave to watch it)....and as a huge fan of the anime (not the manga) I loved it. I have all the other episodes and films and TV films and redux etc. and I love them all for being different but the same, well this is the same, but different. It looks awesome (real sweet)and has signature cool GITS gadgets and crazy spy plots and Jap. madness and some awesome fight scenes with robot brilliance. Obviously watch in Japanese with Eng. subs if possible. As soon as I had watch it wanted the next instalment (Nov 2013).Seriously anyone who moans about this (and there are many) because it looks a little different and has a few plot differences is an idiot, as the manga is very VERY difference to all the anime and eventually the comic became 'hentai'(arty porn) so be pleased with what we have here and what we have is excellent! The major is particularly cool and though slightly different than her past incarnations she is still her own woman / android and it is super cool how the team comes together and emotionally binds.My only issue is the story is a little convoluted and confusing at times but so was the 2ng Gig and especially GITS2 at times due to language and cultural issues as well as poor writing.Also if you love the films and the previous TV shows then you might have to 'readjust' but the new back stories and the shifted focus really make ARISE its own animal and by the end you simply don't care and just want to see hot robots kill each other! (and other stuff). Also good news....you do not need to know anything about the franchise or the films or manga or animes etc. as it stands on its own two synthetic feet. Go get the bluray version now and you will not be sorry."What we have here is a failure to communicate", Captain