Hmmm, so, have you seen it yet? I found this set of reviews... from first expectations, to the reviews of the trailers to the final review of the film that just came out..... I agree with all of her opinions... but some of the problems with the original story is that its author didn't take it to the next level either. Here's those Youtube reviews.. some felt the same, some felt it was good if you don't know the series already.. etc.. which she also mentions)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhMebg51_LE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WykXpcdiHA (this one covers the look of Scarlett in the part very well)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6aslI2kTJg (she covers Scarlett and the dif between her look and the Major's)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdnkDtEmNbg ( first look preview)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FvaQmBeCzc (the main film review in theatres.. hint... she wasn't happy...
Spoilers Alert.).. I like the mention of the lack of people in the city scenes.
I did find it interesting the difference in some of the opinions, but they were mostly those that didn't know the anime or manga... as a general scifi film some liked it, others thought it ok, but nothing new... as this was the resource for so many that followed.. like the Matrix etc.... and this is covered by the above review of the released film. I still come back to that look on Scarlett's face... it just isn't 'right'... which seems to be a change in the storyline the Hollywood film did... the previews alone tell this story... but that final Youtube review said it rather well.... She mentions in that 3rd one, I think, a quote by the director that sums it all up... and the finished product is exactly as expected... good review.
PS.... there's a review with 4 guys on Youtube that covers a few good points in the end spoiler section... the first birth mother and 2nd android creator 'mother'... to cover the look of the Major... which is a good way to deal with the issue, though most anime, IMO, makes their characters look 'Western', so I don't see any problem.
Well, since this is where we were posting on the 2017 live action GITS.... just watched it, and I mean 'just' as the credits are still rolling on the screen... yes, they didn't use the iconic music till the ending credit sequence.... :blink: How stupid it that? And it's emblematic of the entire movie... well almost... yes, most of the action scenes were done well, and the first scene with her 'mother' was probably the best in the entire film... they changed so much in so many characters... That review I posted from Alachia is correct IMO... they took out the 'ghost' and left the shell.
First, why wouldn't you use that iconic music to open the film? Unless you are afraid of any comparison all that follows?
The changed storyline is ok.... as the Arise series did the same, making her like that since birth, due to her mother's death (father as well)... So no problem with changes like that, but overall, it's 'meh'... or ok... nothing special.... totally lacks the whole metaphysical discussion that runs through the anime.. I forget how much of that was actually in the manga, as there really wasn't much manga chapters to go on.... which shows you how iconic it was to last this long.
In one word overall... Scarlett, as portrayed is completely wrong for this part.... but she could've been 'right'... just look at her on the red carpet at premieres etc... they could've used that image of the 'Major', which is keeping with the model look of the manga actually... and the original anime.... as well as the very end point of the Arise series.. implied I guess. So, this comes down to the director as well as whoever ok'd the concept..... a simple shot of how bad that hairdo looks on Scarlett as the 'Major' pretty much sums it up.... it looks so bad. Alachia's review pretty much said it all..... this is a dumbed down American product.... and most American product is dumbed down.... without the metaphysical chit-chat, the producers et al, could've just used any other character, why pay for the 'Major' unless you are going to attract its fans and continue the 'discussion'? It's not a bad action movie, but even those scenes needed to be 'tighter'... faster, more dramatic etc. I don't think I can blame this on the actress, Scarlett.... the entire concept of the "Major" this film is using is just wrong.. and doesn't work... too 'family friendly'... too 'dumbed down' like all American super hero stuff... it's simply all the same..... It's just a cheap imitation.... did they seriously think the fans would like it? Accept it? No... so they didn't try... the late use of the iconic soundtrack proved that... the opening sequence was rather good especially the tendrils of the brain to body connections... but it seemed a letdown after seeing the previews.... a few good special effects here and there, but overall, a generic script, generic direction... and WTF is Section 9's chief speaking Japanese when everyone else is speaking English? :blink: Because the actor can't? That's what I heard.. but seeing how his part was so small and different from the character from the manga/anime, why even bother? It doesn't make sense... very poor choices in the concept.
Alachia's review was dead-on. I think Americans do this because they can, as long as the dollar is still accepted around the world... as long as they can get the masses to buy tickets to this generic stuff... not crap, just 'blah'... 'meh'.... 'nothing special'... nothing new.... :mellow: Glad I didn't bother to pay to watch it at the theatre....
All that said.... since the Arise series ends where the original began... all that's left would be to pick it up after the end of the original movie, or the end of the original anime series.. she returned to Section 9 at the end of that... but in the other two movies, she didn't... I'd follow the movies.... that character was the best. Otherwise, it's sayonara 'Major'.