Wow! You really have an in-depth perspective on the series. As having never seen the original (which I plan on doing now), I think this incarnation is a good one to get people like me into the world. Unfortunately, it didn't do so hot at the box office. So, we'll see if we get any more....but I doubt it.
Anyway, great review and insights.
-Bonita

Thanks. Yes, I think the goal of the producers and director was to make a more general appeal movie. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the original.

Greg

As someone who's seen most of the GITS movies (there are four or five) as well as the TV series in the original language, I feel as many Japanese fans feel: ambivalent. It's nice to see the concepts and characters attract mainstream attention, but the plot added unnecessary complications (to explain why Motoko is a white caucasian, basically) while simultaneously simplifying other aspects. The GITS franchise is unbelievably complex and requires a deep understanding of several literary traditions; I hope the live action movie is interesting enough to make a new audience seek out the anime. (The original manga is now available in a bilingual version, too.)

I could not agree more. Probably the most frustrating thing for me is that the movie doesn't convey the franchise's greatness. For example, I watched the movie with my brother, who knew nothing of GitS. At the end, he was like, "It was okay. Whatever." That about sums it up. Not a bad movie, but it doesn't leave anyone impressed. Then again, it's a lot harder to impress today than it was in 1995 when the original movie came out.

I just hope the poor box office showing doesn't kill the possibility of a sequel or maybe a future reboot done right. How can they not do the Puppet Master plot?

Oh, yes. I own the English dubs of every GitS movie, show, and OVA.