Ghost in the Shell

[review pending]

An unplanned rewatch, but it would be a shame to miss out on a chance to watch the movie I've seen the most on the big screen again. And the quality is still there. The film can't hide its age, certainly not the visuals (with the colors looking a bit dimmer than I remembered), but the direction and pacing remain unmatched.

Kawai's score is crucial to the appeal, but the way it is incorporated is what stands out. The tempo of the scenes, the way the camera and editing dance with the score, and the pitch-perfect timing of the sound effects. It's all part of a visceral experience that transcends its anime origins and knows no equal. The film is a string of iconic scenes, some of them a little too static and talkative to be up there with the absolute best, but looking back at this film, it's disappointing to see what the franchise has become. A certified classic.