GitS: 2.0
For the uninformed, the first Ghost in the Shell movie by Mamoru Oshii is one of my favorite movies of all time. Yes, of all time. It single handedly drove my interest of anime (and eventually, Japanese pop culture) into over drive and until this day, still holds up very well. So, when I stumbled upon the news that Oshii was reworking and re-releasing GitS back into theaters, I found it quite interesting and quite odd. To me, there’s nothing wrong with the original release. Yes, some of the techniques that were used to make it are out dated and it shows when you watch it today, but that doesn’t mean the quality of the work or that the overall quality of the final film is effected. I guess this begs the age old question of why creators come back to their old works and tweak them with modern techniques (I’m looking at you Lucas and Spielberg).
From what I’ve read, the plan was to go back and edit the old CGI and digital effects and replace them with new ones. They’re also remixing it for 6.1 sound, and re-recording the dialog with the original cast members (with the exception of the Puppet Master, who will get a new voice actor). Once again I ask, why? Did these things really need tweaking? See for yourself below:
After all this though, I guess the better question to ask is, Who am I to judge? At the end of the day, I get to see “more” Ghost in the Shell, and that’s never a bad thing. I guess there’s just a part of me that would rather see another new, full release than something like this, especially when it’s all ready perfect.