Mamoru Oshiis Ghost in The Shell - 1830 Words

Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in The Shell Science fiction has been a staple of film entertainment since George Melies first explored the genre in his 1902 Le Voyage Dans La Lune. While even as early an example as this contained many defining features of the genre which are still present today, over 100 years of exploring the genre has both expanded and more accurately defined what makes a film fit the science fiction niche. This paper seeks to explore elements of Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in The Shell and how they conform to science fiction genre standards. These topics will include plot and thematic elements, as well as film techniques and iconography. Furthermore, the film will be examined through the reflectionist approach to determine how†¦show more content†¦Science fiction is distinctive by building such feats in constructs that seem feasible. In the Star Wars series (which is undeniably quintessential science fiction), we see Jedis perform such seemingly magical feats – an element that appears to sup erficially cater to standard fantasy. We eventually learn, however, that these powers are based at the genetic level – effectively lending to an â€Å"atmosphere of scientific credibility.† Qui-Gon Gin explains to Anakin in the novel adaptation of George Lucas’s Phantom Menace: â€Å"Midi-Chlorians are microscopic lifeforms that reside within the cells of all living things and communicate with the Force.† (Brooks, 245). Just as Star Wars sets itself apart from standard fantasy by basing the seemingly supernatural on story elements more scientifically feasible than magic and mysticism in order to aid in suspending disbelief, so to does Ghost in the Shell. While Star Wars utilizes microscopic life-forms to accomplish this, Ghost in the Shell arguably better succeeds in creating an â€Å"atmosphere of scientific credibility† by using something we’re all much more familiar with than microbiology: computers. Many of the characters in Ghost in the Shell including our hero, Major Motoko Kusanagi, are seen performing superhuman feats similar to Jedis. They are seen performing seemingly impossible stunts such as in the opening of the film when the Major jumps off of a tall building to repel through one of itsShow MoreRelated Essay on Shirows Ghost in the Shell877 Words   |  4 Pages Shirows Ghost in the Shell nbsp; The real beauty of Mamoru Oshiis adaptation of Shirows Ghost in the Shell lies in its attention to detail and the sheer cohesiveness of these details which collectively form complex ideas and plot. In nearly every detail and every plot element lies some tie to the key themes of the anime. Some of the main themes deal with the commodification of the flesh and body; the separation between ones spirit and body; and the idea that a static environment or organismRead More Artificial Intelligence in Gibsons Idoru and Oshiis Ghost in the Shell3570 Words   |  15 PagesArtificial Intelligence in Gibsons Idoru and Oshiis Ghost in the Shell      Ã‚   Introduction If people knew what scientists are up to, they would not be sleeping as calmly as they do today. If only they knew, they would read more carefully what the cyberpunk authors have to say.    The purpose of this work is not only to compare the pictures of Artificial Intelligence (hereafter referred to simply as AI) included in two major works of cyberpunk genre, but also to show the connection