Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence review

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Killer sex robots. Brainy cyber-cops. A decade after manga hit Ghost In The Shell, Mamoru Oshii still has little time for people. “I imagine eliminating all human interaction,” he narrates – this time, surly detective Batou hunting down corporate criminals who have programmed sexbots to murder their owners. But nothing is simple in this futuristic Gothic metropolis – especially when mind-altering viruses are being planted in your e-brain.

Tangled realities, twisted plotlines and cod-philosophy threaten to spoil the ride, but the shoot-’em-up scenes compensate for Batou’s existential rambling. With fanatical attention to detail, CG whiz Toshihiko Nishikubo’s stunning visuals push back boundaries. Oshii’s brave new world may reduce humanity to a whisper, but it’s manmade animation that saves the day.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.