Yes, it's gorgeous animation.  Yes, it's stylish direction.  But what makes GHOST IN THE SHELL stand out is that it's just damn good sci-fi.  If you are a BLADE RUNNER fan looking for another fix in the cyberpunk experience, GHOST IN THE SHELL is just what you'll need.  Set in the year 2029, where human existence is interconnected with technology and the world has become one big network, hacking becomes the crime du jour.  Section 9 is the bureau designated to crack down on the hackers and they have their hands full fighting the world's hacking kingpin, dubbed The Puppet Master.  

GHOST IN THE SHELL is eye candy to be sure, but it's also intelligently written and conceived, and should please cyberheads to no end with it's atmosphere and concepts fleshed out on the screen.  Elements of many sci-fi staples abound, including the aforementioned BLADERUNNER, ROBOCOP, and PREDATOR.  However, this is entertaining on it's own terms, and is influential in the world of anime in it's own right, with scores of imitators following suit.  Though clearly of limited appeal, GHOST IN THE SHELL is a must see for anim-aniacs, sci-fi junkies, and anyone looking for a very intelligent diversion in the video store.  

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