Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. 2004. Mamoru Oshii.

 

Last year, I decided to watch and review Ghost in the Shell for the first time and I enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, one of the criticisms I received was that I didn’t research the film enough. I fully take that on board, but do like to write about my first impressions, as they seem to take on their own life after that. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence was going to need a little bit of research, as I found this film far more elaborate than its predecessor. I decided if I was to take an in-depth look at some of the imagery and dialogue, then I would have to give it the time it deserves. The story is loosely based on the Ghost in the Shell manga chapter, Robot Ronda with elements of Phantom Fund.

It is 2032, and Public Security cybernetic operative Batou is back on the streets, as he investigates a murder by a gynoid, a feminine human-robot. However, he is not alone, as he and Detective Togusa learn that the victim killed by the gynoid is somehow connected to Locus Solus, and a gang called the Yakuza. Batou and Togusa visit the morgue workshop where the gynoid has been taken and this scene catches my imagination. Miss Haraway is present as Batou examines the gynoid. Miss Haraway explains that viruses and human production errors could cause a gynoid to malfunction. Her next theory is something a lot darker, far more sinister, and pretty much a reflection of humanity. She tells the pair that a robot killing itself could be a result of robots becoming disowned, often becoming vagrants and eventually killing themselves in a protest against their own obsolescence. “Can we get back to reality here?” The gynoid that was brought in was used for sexual purposes but she has found a puzzling message in a data file that is stored inside the body. After a few listens to the message, it seems to be saying; please help us. Togusa is shocked, and all you can see is the flicker of light in his eyes. Batou and Togusa then leave, as Miss Harraway begins to clip back her eyes and plugs herself into a computer. The imagery and dialogue used in this scene set a very high standard for me in the world of Ghost in the Shell, and I think it is at this moment that my interest in Mamoru’s universe will last a long time. 

Another murder is reported. This time at a Boathouse, and again the name Locus Solus is mentioned. Shipping Inspector Jack Walkson has been bludgeoned to death. Back at Section 9 headquarters, we learn more about the murder from Chief Aramaki. It was precise and was committed by a cyborg that has some kind of claw, which I found very inventive. Later, the Chief pulls Togusa to one side to ask how Batou is doing. He goes on to say “One need not have been Caesar in order to understand Caesar”. Togusa asks why he was picked for this case, and Aramaki tells him that the Major had picked him before the incident with Puppet Master. I guess this story is coming together now. Maybe the Chief was right to worry about Batou, as he visits a Yakuza hideout and goes on a killing spree. Eventually finding the cyborg responsible for the murder, and takes him out as well. The current Yakuza boss admits his predecessor was somehow involved in Locus Solus, but insists he doesn’t know how. Later, Batou enters a store on the way home and is somehow warned by Major, and he is then shot in the arm by an unseen assailant. Unfortunately, Batou’s e-brain has been hacked and he attacks the store occupants and shoots himself in the arm. This was created to cause a scandal and an attempt to shut down the investigation from Section 9. The Chief decides that Batou and Togusa need to go undercover, off the grid completely in the far North Frontier. Batou explains to Togusa, If life is information then society and civilization is a mass storage system. Togusa replies with a quote from the bible. 

“How precious are your thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand! When I awake, I am still with You.”

Batou and Togusa find the location of Kim, a psychopathic hacker who has a fascination with philosophy, life and death. Time gets a bit crazy in Kim’s mansion as it repeats with different variations seen by the detectives. Batou is warned by the Major and realises that his and Togusa’s e-brains have been hacked. However, Kim reveals the location of Locus Solus and his involvement with the organisation. Batou heads down to the underwater ship of Locus Solus. Thankfully, Togusa also managed to hack Kim’s memory to use his access codes to get Batou on board. Locus Solus becomes aware of this and destroys Kim’s brain. Bad news for Batou, as all the gynoids on the ship have been ordered to kill everyone on board. Batou manages to fight his way to the centre of the ship where he meets up with the Major again, who is now remotely controlling a gynoid. Eventually, they both manage to take control of the situation, and the Major reveals the truth to Batou about the gynoids. Locus Solus hired the Yakuza to kidnap young girls to use their minds to help make the gynoids more human, a process called ghosting. Jack Walkson, who was murdered, had uncovered this and planned to save the girls by having the gynoids kill their owners, eventually attracting the police. Batou explains that Walkson might have saved the girls, but he also caused a lot of pain and suffering to the gynoids by interrupting the ghosting process. Batou turns to the Major and asks her if she is happy now. The Major tells Batou that she will always be beside him and disconnects.

I have watched this film a couple of times now, and I’m still finding new moments in there that surprise me. First of all, the animation using computer-animated graphics is pretty spectacular, and some of the scenes made me realise why Ghost in the Shell would never work as a live-action Hollywood remake. I am also highly impressed with all references towards philosophy. I’m not saying, I understand it all yet, but I am willing to learn. I also realise that as much as this story is fiction, it also could be something we need to deal with in the future, and a future that doesn’t seem that far away. I suppose I should mention my first interaction with Togusa, and I have to say, his character is a wonderful addition to the story, and I cannot wait to learn more about him. I didn’t know what to expect when I first watched this film, but now I know about the high level of sophistication and mastery it takes to make these movies. I admit, I am no expert in this genre, and I’m barely even a novice. However, I enjoy it, and I want to keep learning more about Ghost in the Shell and will continue to do so. 

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