Decius wrote:
] ] In its strong application of existentialist philosophy and
] ] undeniably astounding animation, Innocence is a film that
] ] both challenges the mind and perception of what is and
] ] what is to be.
]
] I saw GITS2 this evening.
]
] Most of the critics don't understand either the philosophy or
] the computer terminology, and so they hate it. Furthermore,
] they have no real understanding of what the influences are for
] this film. GITS1 influenced the Matrix, not the other way
] around. This movie has nothing to do with "AI" or "A Waking
] Life" and everything to do with Bladerunner and Neuromancer.
] And its Hong Kong, not New York, damnit! This critic wasn't so
] confused. (And, ironically, this critic wasn't some
] professional, but a writer at a high school newspaper run by a
] rather amazing public school in Maryland! I want my kids to go
] there!)
]
] This movie is absolutely stunning visually. SEE IT IN THE
] THEATER. Its one of the most amazing sites you'll see in a
] theater ever.
]
] But be forewarned that it is a challenging film. Its in
] Japanese. You are reading subtitles, while you are trying to
] piece together a very deep idea about the nature of existence,
] while you are trying to parse a custom set of computer jargon
] that is both technically accurate and which requires an
] understanding of the technology to truly grok, while you are
] trying to follow a plot in which the lines between reality and
] the virtual are hopelessly blurred, while you are gawking at
] the most amazing animation you've ever seen.
]
] I found it heavy, so I'm not surprised that less geeky critics
] are throwing up their hands and saying "lets go shopping."
]
] The critical comment I'll make about it is embodied in the
] opening theme song. The song is almost exactly like the
] original, only a little different. Improved maybe. Thats what
] I felt about the film. Its an evolutionary change from the
] first film. Similar structure. Similar themes. I guess at
] times it felt like it wasn't an entirely new experience. But,
] its an experience that I enjoy, although frankly I'll enjoy it
] much more when I can hear it in my native tongue.

On your recommendation I will try it at the theater. I downloaded it a couple of weeks ago and couldn't get through 20 minutes. I decided that it was the subtitles that were screwing it up. The dubbing on the first one was very good.