Ghost in the Shell 2 - Innocence poster & wallpaper
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Akio Ôtsuka, Naoto Takenaka, Kouichi Yamadera, Tamio Ôki, Atsuko Tanaka ... see more see more... , Yutaka Nakano

Anime legend Mamoru Oshii wrote and directed this eagerly awaited sequel to his groundbreaking sci-fi drama Ghost in the Shell, which follows the continued adventures of futuristic crime fighters Bato... read more read more...u (voice of Akio Otsuka) and Togusa (voice of Kouichi Yamadera). It's the year 2032, and Batou and Togusa have been assigned by the anti-terrorist force Sector 9 to track down several "gynoids" -- androids designed to resemble human females and programmed for pleasure -- who have gone on a murder spree. With the help of an android-technology expert named Kim (voice of Naoto Takenaka), Batou and Togusa find themselves following the trail of Locus Solus, an outlaw organization that may be responsible for turning the gynoids into murderers. As he digs deeper into the investigation, Batou finds himself thinking back to his times with former colleague Major (voice of Atsuko Tanaka) and pondering the notion of love and attachment in an increasingly unnatural world. Ghost in the Shell: Innocence was screened in competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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80% liked it

35,584 ratings

Critics

65% liked it

95 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Mamoru Oshii

Release Date: September 17, 2004

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DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004

Stats: 1,592 reviews

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The gynoid: Type 2052 "Hadaly'' Ghost in the Shell 2 - Innocence Gabriel, Batou's dog (or Mamoru's...)
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Flixster Reviews (1,592)

  • fb535316333
    May 29, 2011
    fb535316333
    I used to think the first film was incredibly complex and therefore, very inaccessible. However, the 2nd film is even more convoluted and theory heavy than the first to the point where you can't help but feel it doesn't steer you in a direction that ultimately serves the story's ... read moreoverlying plot.

    And not the look like a brainless twat, but it really needed more action to balance out with the dialogue heavy philosophical referencing. Nevertheless, a worthy sequel to the original GITS; just lacks the balance in execution that the first maintained.
  • Saxia
    November 11, 2010
    Saxia
    The third viewing of this one was a little disappointing, but maybe that's because it seems as if they wanted to say more than they could fit into the movie. It doesn't have the philosophical and contemplative quality the first part has. And although it mixes 2D and 3D in a satis... read morefying manner, it's also not as visually satisfying as the first one.
  • skactopus
    June 14, 2007
    skactopus
    Although this film is called "Ghost in the Shell 2" it isn't really a direct sequel. It is more or less a stand alone movie, which means that you can watch this without having seen the first. The only thing that the first movie may help you with is the character recognition and... read more the setting of the movie.

    With that said, this movie has some of the greatest visuals seen in any animation. It is even better than the "Stand Alone Complex" series which was done after this film.

    Although the graphics were of "Ghost in the Shell" quality, this film did feel a little out of place from the rest of the series (The first movie and the latter TV series and movie). The setting seemed a little more sci-fi/futuristic than normal and the fact that the major is almost non-existent makes the cast feel empty. The typical online communication between characters wasn't used that often as well.

    As mentioned earlier Major Kusanagi only has a small part in this film. This makes Batou and Togusa the main characters, which will make fans of these characters happy. There isn't a whole lot of action but there are a few good sequences throughout. This is another one of those stories where you need to really pay attention otherwise you will get lost.

    All-in-all there is some great visuals and an interesting story and fans of the series will definitely want to see this.
  • fb1144932598
    December 3, 2009
    fb1144932598
    An incredible piece of art, from start to finish! The animation and CG renderings are some of the most stunning scenes this viewer has ever seen. The level of detail and the intricacy draw the viewer into the story, which is pretty good, in and of itself. There is some mysticism,... read more and the constant moving from "real" to fantasy could be at times confusing, but patience is rewarded with most of the elements coalescing back into a cohesive whole upon further exposition. The subtitles could be somewhat distracting as they seemed designed for close captioning, describing clearly audible sounds and using brackets to identify the speaker. The magnificent soundscape formed an integral part of the overall experience and matched the visuals in intensity and in establishing the mood of each scene as it unfolded. The entire experience was quite exhilarating. This one bears multiple viewings and, for that, it gets 5* from this reviewer, who has not been a big fan of anime or manga heretofore.
  • staindslaved
    February 28, 2012
    staindslaved
    I love the concept of Ghost in the Shell but I feel the manga and anime series do not take the concept in the directions I personally am interested in. The two films however are far closer to what I want to see out of the franchise. Innocence follows Batou (who is just as inter... read moreesting a character as Motoko Kusanag) and his partner Togusa as they continue their work after the events of the first film. Batou is dealing with the fact that the major has gone rogue and begins challenging and contemplating his own existence. The Section 9 Department Chief realizes that Batou is displaying the same habits that Kusanag showed before she went AWOL and fears a similar outcome. Like the first film the incredible action takes a back seat to the theological and moral questions that highlight the series. I want a big budget live action version of Ghost in the Shell by a director who knows what they're doing (Christopher Nolan anyone?). I think it could easily be one of the greatest Sci-Fi thrillers ever made.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    January 2, 2011
    Doctor0Quinzel
    I liked the philosophical ideas in this film. It was well paced and I was interested to see what happened. The main problem I had with the film was in the script, it was like every minute they had to utter another quote, or saying, which was very annoying.
  • bcavros
    September 14, 2010
    bcavros
    Sitting here scratching by Basset hound watching Bato do the same in the movie is some serious deja vu. It's maybe more a measure of myself, but I really miss the super cyber-sexual Major Motoko and her brief appearance in a unattractive mannequin's body just doesn't do it for me... read more. The story is constructed around Bato who is the 2nd most developed character in the series, but surprisingly there is no back story---none---nill. No flash back to pre-section 9 days as Rangers no flash back to section-9 days as many of the other reviews site it is an intellectually and philosophically deep story, but fails to draw you in at a gut level even when Motoko pulls so hard her cybernetic arm flays apart, seen that one before with more impact. OK before you pan me the Visuals and audio really are excellent in the blu-ray format.
  • RemiLogan
    April 2, 2009
    RemiLogan
    More interesting than the first, not nearly as weird, but it still didn't do much for me
  • jonnycrumley
    February 4, 2009
    jonnycrumley
    Good movie. A lot different to the first movie, with the story taking a more suspenseful, detective root, than all the all guns blazing original.
    I thought certain scenes were far too long (especially in the middle where the go to the mansion), the ending was confusing, and the h... read moreuge use of philosophy was very annoying at times.
    However the animation saved the day, as this is pure eye candy, with some of the best visuals I've ever seen in this genre.
  • Lemure
    October 9, 2008
    Lemure
    The original was a nifty, cutting-edge examination on the nature of humanity and the soul. The sequel, for all it's flashy CG, merely tries to copy that while forgetting to put in both character and plot. Stick with the original.

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Critic Reviews

Andrea Gronvall
April 18, 2007
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

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

Geoff Pevere
October 29, 2004
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Occasional passages of shell-cracking egghead overload aside, there's no getting past Innocence's astounding visual power. Full Review

Liam Lacey
October 29, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The effect of so much pretension and so many lovely images eventually becomes soporific. Full Review

Lisa Rose
September 23, 2004
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

Praiseworthy for its concepts and aesthetics, yet it is too theory-heavy and action-shy, clumped with philosophical tangents and scholarly reference points. Full Review

Steve Murray
September 23, 2004
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Solemnly questioning issues of science and metaphysics, it creates a spell that's a unique blend of the ominous and the sensual. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
September 17, 2004
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

Doesn't match the weight of its predecessor, or really add anything necessary to the saga, but it doesn't hurt the body of work, either. Full Review

Kevin Crust
September 17, 2004
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

Unplug from the narrative, let the images of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence wash over you, and enjoy the beautiful ride. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
September 17, 2004
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

Portentous and pretentious, Shell 2 crawls along like a machine on low batteries. Full Review

Wesley Morris
September 17, 2004
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

More vital than most police procedurals, fusing the metaphysical and the scientific into a pulp yarn with a gentle but bruising philosophical kick. Full Review

Terry Lawson
September 17, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

I was not only able to comprehend Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, but connect with it emotionally. And that's all the more impressive considering the characters are something less than human. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Batou: When dialog fails, it's time for violence.
    • Togusa: His legions, angel forms, who lay entranced. Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks.
    • Batou: Now you're quoting Milton, but we are not Satan.
    • Togusa: How great is the sum of thy thoughts? If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.
    • Batou: Psalms 139, Old Testament. The way you spout these spontaneous exotic references, I'd say your own external memory's pretty twisted.
    • Major Motoko Kusanagi: We weep for a bird's cry, but not for a fish's blood. Blessed are those with a voice. If the dolls also had voices, they would have screamed, 'I didn't want to become human.'
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Ghost in the Shell 2 - Innocence Trivia

  • In Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence Age, which hand of Batou is cybernoid.  Answer »
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