Ghost in the Shell, a film adapted from a Japanese manga of the same title, is a narrative which blurs the lines between humans and machines while simultaneously destroying traditional concepts of gender roles and expectations. The story takes place in the not-so-distant future of Tokyo, Japan in the year 2029 and involves main characters who are dealing with the implications of technological enhancements which have progressed to such an extent that the concepts of cognizance and intelligence have extended into the realm of machines. The protagonist, Major Motoko Kusanagi, is an elite cybernetic assassin employed by the government agency Section 9 to clean up loose ends left by domestic and diplomatic entanglements. Section 9 is populated by mechanically enhanced humanoids of varying degrees who all offer some sort of beneficial attributes to the team. The fact that Kusanagi is able to go into combat by herself and perform in such a proficient manner that she is able to consistently criticize her male comrades is a telling statement towards the empowerment of women through advancing technologies. The role that Kusanagi plays in the team is crucial to the overarching theme present in the film that with advancements in technology the age old constraints placed on individuals of specific genders are no longer as inescapable as they once were.
One of the aspects of the narrative which can be discussed in regards to this film is the absence of a narrator. The lack of narration allows or forces the viewer to analyze the plot details for themselves and because of this a personal connection with the protagonist can be forged. Without overt storytelling the film generates a level of attachment that can sometimes be missed when background details are laid out for the viewer instead of permitting the audience to draw their own conclusions. Another element of the narrative which can be analyzed is the setting that this film takes place in. Although the concept of highly advanced cybernetic technology is a somewhat far-fetched subject matter the setting appears for the most part to be a common interpretation of modern urban conditions in today’s day and age. The fact that the setting is easily recognizable allows for the viewer to more easily acclimate themselves with the foreign idea of an intelligent machine based lifeform. The plot will be an integral part of critical analysis of the film and its themes because of the complex chain of events present within it. One of the scenes relevant to the comprehension of the importance of plot in the film is the scene in which Kusanagi chastises Togusa for his reverence for outdated technology. By making fun of Togusa for using an old style revolver Kusanagi is highlighting the struggle between the old and the new. The scenes in which Kusanagi is expected to combat enemies on her own without the need for support are relevant in the recognition of her ability to outperform her male counterparts. All of the elements play a part in the overall effect of the narrative and the development of the theme of empowerment present in the film.
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