Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

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Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

PG-13

2004

1h 40m

Sci-Fi

Anime

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65%

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98 Reviews

80%

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25,000+ Ratings

A mostly mechanical cyborg and his human-looking partner track robotic sex dolls that have murdered their masters.

Critics Consensus

The animation is lovely, but the plot is complex to the point of inscrutability, leaving Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence both original and numbing.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Mamoru Oshii's 2004 follow-up to his 1995 anime noir is that rare sequel that surpasses the original.

Apr 18, 2007

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

The elegance, attention to detail, the invention and expertise all ensure that the movie's never less than visually breathtaking.

Jun 24, 2006

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David Hughes

Empire Magazine

For Japanimation fans it's a big-screen must-see.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

Unless you have some kind of philosophy degree that allows you to quickly follow these discussions, I recommend to just sticking with the original.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 10, 2023

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Jae-Ha Kim

Jae-Ha Kim

The sequel to 1995's "Ghost in the Shell" -- which was one of the most successful anime films of all time -- "Innocence" is ambitious and gorgeous to look at, but is so lacking in humanity that at times it is almost painful to watch.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 26, 2023

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Film4

With its themes of human arrogance, wastefulness, creativity, and the definitions and limits of life and the mind, Innocence is pretty heavy. It's also visually stunning.

Jul 16, 2010

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james

the 4k restoration was amazing, and the after feature documentary was worth staying for.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

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William

Got to see this movie in theaters for the 20th anniversary which was really cool. But ultimately disappointing. This movie is a gilded egg. Absolutely beautiful, intricately made, and totally hollow. I knew I was in trouble after the main characters quoted literature at each other for the 10th time. This movie talks a lot, and says very little. It feels like it fell victim to mystery box writing. The worst part about a sequel like this is that it casts a shadow on the original movie. Seeing it now, I thought to myself "was the first movie this shallow and I just didn't realize?" No, it wasn't. My biggest complaint with Innocence is that it feels like a movie that was influenced by other cyberpunk media, than it was original. I had seen this movie before and couldn't remember a thing about it, and now I understand why. Glad I saw it again though.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

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Patrick

Fantastic, thoughtful movie, beautifully displayed on the big screen. I wish they showed this kind of stuff more often, would certainly get me out to the movies more often.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

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Stein M

A brilliant story that patiently and poetically explores philosophies of existence while telling a gritty cyberpunk noir.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

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Ben

Beautiful and thought provoking movie that looks even better in theaters

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/26/24

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Michael

In some ways better than the first. Too much CGI and digital art, but the pretentiousness has been toned down and a little more comedy was injected like the manga. Overall, I liked it more.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

Full Review

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Mamoru Oshii

Director

Akio Ôtsuka

Bateau

Atsuko Tanaka

Major Motoko Kusanagi

Koichi Yamadera

Togusa

Tamio Ôki

Section 9 Department Chief Aramaki

Yutaka Nakano

Ishikawa

"Ghost" in a Live-Action "Shell"?

Dr. Dorian Prepares for "Open Hearts"

The Annie Awards Announce Their Nominations

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Synopsis

A mostly mechanical cyborg and his human-looking partner track robotic sex dolls that have murdered their masters.

Director: Mamoru Oshii
Producer: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter: Masamune Shirow, Mamoru Oshii
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Go Fish Pictures
Production Co: Production I.G., Dentsu, Studio Ghibli, Kodansha Ltd., Bandai Visual Co. Ltd.
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Disturbing Images|Brief Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $924.5K
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby EX, Surround, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)