With nothing to do this weekend, I managed to see a few movies that had been sitting on my coffee table for a while, most notably Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell. I’d heard good things about it so I knew I was in for a good film but the nearly 15 year old picture really threw me for a loop: I wasn’t expecting anything that level of awesomeness.
Things unfold in strange ways and coincidentally late yesterday, Variety broke news that Steven Spielberg picked up rights to the Japanese manga “Ghost in the Shell” for DreamWorks and is planning a 3D live action film.
It’s great that Spielberg feels so strongly about the story and the potential for a film but I have some serious, serious misgivings about this entire project before it even starts production:
1) How the hell do they plan to dumb this down so that typical American Audiences will understand it? Bringing Jamie Moss (whose only writing credit to date is Street Kings (our review)) isn’t helping things any.
2) Live action? Are you serious? Fan-freakin’-tastic. What I really want to see is pancake flat Scarlett Johansson playing the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi (that would be the hot cyborg chic for those uninitiated).
3) Whose going to direct this sure to be disaster? Actually, things could look up if Spielberg directs, or maybe they can convince Aronofsky to come on board. Oooo! Oooo! Since I’m already dreaming a little…how about Juan Carlos Fresnadillo or even del Toro? OK. I just made myself a little too excited.
Bottom line is that although this has potential, I’m afraid the DreamWorks folks are going at this the wrong way. The basis is great for more films but the live action and 3D bits strike me as bad gimmicks. What’s wrong with more animated fare?
I’m sure we’ll be seeing more details about this project in the coming months. At this point, I can’t say I’m excited about it. Instead, I think I’ll go dig around for a copy of Oshii’s sequel Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.
I have to say I also have my doubts about this. It has potential, but I am afraid that Dreamworks might not pull it off.
I’m with you and I just don’t understand this fascination with 3D. Yeah, it’s kind of cool but all of these recent announcements in 3D films is getting out of hand. I’m hoping it’s just a phase running rampant through Hollywood at the moment because it’s certainly not a big selling point for me – at least it’s not while I have to wear those annoying and clunky glasses.
It’s a great story and I’m surprised that no one in the US latched onto it earlier. But, I agree, an American remake might ruin the feel. But, come on! Lay off Scar-jo. She’s BEAUTIFUL. I wouldn’t mind seeing her in a Ghost in the Shell remake, especially if she was scantily clad. She might not be anime-endowed, but pancake flat is a bit harsh! http://blogs.chron.com/longhorns/scarlett_johansson_10.jpg
Dan – I mean pancake flat in her acting…not her looks! She’s not lacking in the good looks department!