Ghost in the Shell (1996)

Movie review by Tony Nigro, Common Sense Media
Ghost in the Shell (1996) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

An intellectual, violent ancestor of The Matrix.

NR 1996 82 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 20 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 19 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ghost in the Shell is an anime movie with lots of stylized violence along the lines of The Matrix. Many people get shot. Blood spurts and heads are crushed. The lead character has a tendency to fight in the nude. There are other assorted scenes of animated nudity. Characters frequently use profanity. The movie's philosophical and metaphysical ideas blur the line between good and bad.

Community Reviews

Shawshank Dufresne
Shawshank Dufresne Adult
June 21, 2021
age 10+

My favorite anime & one of my favorite movie of all time!

Everyone should see this movie, it’s smart, interesting, symbolic, and great characters like the main lead and leader Motoko, Batou, the puppet master, and my favorite Togusa. I love the story it’s one of the best stories I’ve ever seen, the music is great, and same goes for the visuals and action scenes. (Though I think one anime that has better action and visuals is the movie AKIRA) For a 1 Hour & 25 Minute movie, it sure has allot happening while at the same time the whole movie being at a consistent slow pace from beginning to end, this is the best paced anime I’ve ever seen from the opening assassination building up with more intensity, to Motoko’s creation, to the action scene in the city, to Motoko discovering herself when she’s swimming and going out into the city, and etc... The movie is rated PG-13 which might seem a bit much, the action isn’t too violent except for a head explosion which is a bit much, they don’t curse that much though the say the F word twice, which can be quite common in PG-13 movies like Gravity, Dunkirk, & Knives Out, etc... though the one thing that you can argue that pushes the boundaries for more than a PG-13 is the nudity, though there’s allot in the movie which adds up to around 5 minutes in total in the movie, it ain’t sexualized at all, nor Motoko’s body ain’t sexually exaggerated nor some other people who are naked. (And hey it’s animated so it ain’t as bad) The alcohol isn’t bad at all when Motoko & Batau are talking on the boat. I watched this movie for the first time before the Ghost in the Shell Live Action movie in 2017 came out, when I was a freshmen in High School when everyone was talking about it. This is in my opinion better than Akira and Spirited Away, which I love with a passion.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
Sircjalot
Sircjalot Adult
June 10, 2021
age 18+

Great anime movie that inspired the matrix. Not for Kids

Deep thought-provoking cyberpunk movie. This movie is quite violent. A scene where man head is completely blown open, few intense bloody gun fights throughout the film. But not all parts of the movie is action packed. While there is no sex scenes, there are a lot of full on female nudity throughout the film from the main character motoko. Breast, buttocks are scene in multiple scenes. Strong language such as the F bomb are used. There's a little bit less cussing in the Japanese sub compared to the dub version. Definitely not suitable for kids.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 20 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in the year 2029, GHOST IN THE SHELL is a detective noir story centered on Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg undercover agent on the trail of the Puppet Master, a powerful hacking virus run amok. Kusanagi has been cybernetically altered to the point of questioning her humanity and the existence of her "ghost," or her soul. The Puppet Master's quest for a human shell and thus, sanctuary as a life form, only adds to Kusanagi's existential dilemma.

Is It Any Good?

In a post-Matrix world, this landmark Japanese animation film may seem dated, but it's one of the most daring anime films to make it Stateside. It's a classic provocative piece of animation that works alongside Blade Runner in the sub-genre of philosophical science fiction. The special effects and shoot-em-ups do not get in the way of the story's question about what it means to be human.

On the other hand, the movie can be turgid; alternating abruptly between fast and furious action and slow and stilted dialogue. Thoughtful as it may be, the film's plot is at times, too complex for its own good. Nonetheless, this is a unique movie, and in the U.S. lent much-needed credibility to anime, consequently paving the way for more adult-themed animation. Ghost in the Shell may have its faults, but no one can deny its status as a trailblazer.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the themes of humanity, the idea of the "ghost," or soul, and Ghost in the Shell's clear influence on the Matrix franchise.

Movie Details

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