Being that this will be a "Europeanized" interpretation of GITS and that most of the people seeing this film will not be familiar with the story's Japanime pedigree, I look for this film to stray from a lot of the deep philosophical and political themes the anime is known for. I, personally, have no problem whatsoever with Scarlett in the title role. She is at the very forefront of female action stars right now BAR NONE with Lucy, The Avengers, Captain America, and Under The Skin most recently. However, being that this film is adapted from a story set in Hong Kong and the lead being recast from a Japanese woman to a white woman, I would have something to say about this if I were Japanese. But if they have no problem with this then why should I, right? Another factor that may affect this film's success is its long delay in being made and the director (Rupert Sanders) who's a virtual unknown. As anyone who's followed this film from Mamoru Oshii's original (based on the manga by Masamune Shirow) to the recent 'Arise' prequels knows, GITS, which itself is influenced by the film 'Blade Runner,' has been cannibalized by so many films from the Matrix on, that it may come across like a copycat of the films that copied it. I do believe that a director like Nolan, Greengrass, or even the Wachowski's could have at least guaranteed this film an intelligence close to that in the anime. I will see this film but I will go in the theater with realistic expectations of seeing nothing more than a dumbed down westernized live-action anime adaptation with loads of action and cool gadgets programmed to make as much money as possible.
