Okay, then, let's get this started by saying that this is an amazing anime. It's
based on the six-part manga by none other than Masamune Shirow (which I have yet
to read, unfortunately). Some of the terms in the movie are a little obscure, and
so I apologize for that right now.

The story is quite difficult to explain, for the main reason that it's bogged by
a lot of philosophical questions. I'll do my best, though. It revolves around a
cyborg called "The Major" (for reasons that I can't remember her name right off
the bat at the moment). The Major is part of a special section of the government,
and she has a human partner as well as another cyborg partner. The story involves
the search for an international terrorist known only as "The Puppet Master." No one
knows who he is, what he looks like, or really anything about him. What he does,
however, is hacks into people's "ghosts" (which are, as far as I've been able to
determine, a person's personality or mind) and manipulate them. The Major's role is
to locate him and stop him.

That's the basics of the plot line, actually. There's more to it, but all of that
is when the philosophical aspect of the movie starts to show its head. And what a
beautiful head it has! I'm serious when I say that. Once this movie starts to ask
the questions is when your brain starts to think. Can a machine evolve? Can something
born solely from programs and computer codes think and use free will? Can it pro-
create?

The problem, however, is that the movie becomes very dialogue heavy. Let me begin
by saying that I don't mind dialogue. When done right, I find it quite intriguing.
This movie is heavy on the dialogue, and it needs to be. Some people out there,
however, might not appreciate that aspect of this movie. Hell, they might downright
loathe all the dialogue.

This is a smart piece of anime. That's what it's all about. You watch this movie
and you're getting some seriously relevant questions for this day and age where artificial
intelligence.

And the animation! My God, I've never seen animation this realistic in my life! It's
amazing! Simply put, the animation and artwork for this anime is fabulous. It pushes
the barriers of what was there before and breaks them! Computers are used, and the
computer graphics are integrated perfectly into this piece of work. Right after the
opening credits, for instance, the Major sits up in her bed, with the blinds partially
drawn. During this very scene I could have sworn that it was a real person sitting there.
It wasn't. The only thing I'll warn you about is that there is quite a bit of graphic
nudity in this anime. Nothing sexual, mind you, but there are quite a few shots with
either the major or another, nameless cyborg naked.

Is this anime good? No, it's fabulous. The story could have used some fleshing out,
however, and it is most definitely not for everyone. It's heavy on philosophy and
dialogue. If you're into a thinking piece of anime with fabulous animation, then go
out and rent this movie! Oh, and get the subtitled if you can.

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