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Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
By Tony Nigro,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Visually dazzling, but no better than the first.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Based on 1 parent review
16 and up
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What's the Story?
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, 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.
Is It Any Good?
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, this sequel 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families 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.
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 17, 2004
- On DVD or streaming: December 28, 2004
- Cast: Akio Otsuka , Atsuko Tanaka , Koichi Yamadera
- Director: Mamoru Oshii
- Inclusion Information: Asian actors
- Studio: DreamWorks
- Genre: Anime
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: violence, disturbing images and brief language
- Last updated: August 2, 2023
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