6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt (II), Michael Wincott, Pilou AsbækAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 82% |
Adventure | 76% |
Fantasy | 54% |
Comic book | 52% |
Thriller | 14% |
Martial arts | 13% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Most movie fans will recognize the name Ghost in the Shell as one of the all-time classic Anime films, as well as the larger franchise built around it (not to mention the original manga), rather than as an original property by way of its live-action adaptation. The story of combining flesh and technology in a dark Blade Runner-like future, the narrative serves as a warning sign as the potential for man and machine to meld becomes an ever more realistic proposition. The original was well ahead of its time and remains relevant today as a tight, exciting, and thought-provoking cautionary tale. The live action adaptation, in counter to the movie's very title, is little more than the shell; there's almost no soul despite the interesting, if not obviously recycled, contemplative themes. It's not entirely reliant on action and visual effects, and the themes do speak loudly and clearly, but one cannot shake the feeling that the film is little more than disposable entertainment that best leaves the thematic complexity to the original manga and classic animated film.
Note: The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
Ghost in the Shell was reportedly shot at 5K but finished at 2K, making this, presumably, an
upscale from that source. IMDB also lists a "Dolby Vision" component but nowhere on packaging or press release does this appear to contain that color
format. The UHD, presented at 2160p and featuring HDR-enhanced colors, fares well enough. It's another picture that modestly boosts over the Blu-ray
but doesn't offer a convincing reason to upgrade beyond the basics, namely mildly shaper details and slightly firmer colors. Indeed, surfaces appear a
bit more refined and carefully tuned here, with pores and clothes revealing sharper, more intricate detailing while environments, whether practical or
digitally inserted, offer a satisfying level of clarity, even at distance. The HDR color palette adds a little more depth and nuance to the film's inherently
limited color scheme, but given the film's almost ever-dark parameters, it doesn't exactly transform it into a vibrant, vivid world. That dreary façade
remains, but what colors there are find more of a satisfying accuracy. Black levels are a little pale, but flesh tones appear strong. Very mild banding
appears but never concerns.
Ghost in the Shell's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is technically impressive. Only a few instances of lacking gunfire -- particularly near the beginning -- and a relative dearth of obvious overhead components really hold it down. Generally, action scenes, the track's bread-and-butter, hold strong. Gunfire does often present with impressive depth. Bullets whip and zip around the stage, impacting all over the theater and producing a quality sense of immersion into any gun battle. Heavier elements -- a monstrous machine chases down and shoots at the heroes in the third act to impressive depth, movement, and room-filling intensity -- are very strong, punctuated by an explosion near film's end that offers a hefty concussive blast and sends shrapnel and debris all over the listening area. Excursions "inside" the digital world send some powerful, engaging elements flying through the stage, in addition to various haunting effects that linger and spill from all speakers, the sides and above and everywhere in between. All of it enters the listening area with full-bodied presence and is very well imaged. A sequence around the 27-minute mark exemplifies the track's ability to produce pinpoint effects throughout the listening area. The overheads find additional engagement when alarms blare halfway through, and various dense city-level ambient effects or environmental details like seagulls or distant rolling thunder saturate the stage mildly, but convincingly. Dialogue is clear and precise with natural center placement and prioritization.
Ghost in the Shell's UHD release contains three extras on the Blu-ray disc. Nothing is included on the UHD disc. A UV/iTunes digital copy code
is included with purchase.
Ghost in the Shell, in any of its forms, depicts an intriguing but dark future of human enhancement and the frightening push away from what makes humans, human, including their flaws and limitations. A movie like this that cannot merely dabble in complexity, it must immerse itself in complexity, make it a centerpiece, and it must be made more for the thought provoking elements than anything else, using its action, style, and effects only to get audiences in the door and compliment the more important matters. This version of Ghost in the Shell isn't as thematically rich or deep as it needs be, despite a strong effort in that direction, favoring well done (but in some ways tired) action and effects instead. Paramount's UHD release of Ghost in the Shell looks great, but it doesn't massively improve on an already great Blu-ray. Worth a look, but watch the original Anime first.
2017
With Exclusive Slipcover and Bonus Disc
2017
2017
2017
2017
Exclusive Digital Copy of Aeon Flux
2017
Exclusive Digital Copy of Aeon Flux
2017
2017
2017
2017
2014
2017
2013
2017
2021
Cinematic Universe Edition
2015
2016
2013
2003
Icons
2000
2006
2007
2004
2011
plus Theatrical Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
2005
2012
2008
2018
2013