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- Ghost in the Shell 2017: Lean & Mean Edition
Ghost in the Shell 2017: Lean & Mean Edition
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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
2017
Original Running Time:
106
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
91
Time Cut:
15
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
The theatrical cut was full of lines which were very on the nose. Additionally, there was a subplot, involving Motoko's mother, that went nowhere. These issues have been addressed in the Lean & Mean cut. Moreover the beginning of the movie was re-edited to mimic the way the original animated movie starts. To this purpose, the credits scene was rescored using Kenji Kaway new rendition of the original main theme. Scenes from the very beginning of the movie have been used to create a flashback sequence that now appears much later. Multiple scenes where shortened, lines of dialogues were either deleted or altered or used in different contexts. The cemetery scene was restored to its original state and purpose. As far as I can tell, in the theatrical cut it was sliced in 2 to accomodate for the character of Motoko's mother, which I presumed was added at a later time to address the whitewashing controversy and to make up for the deleted scenes which included the character of Paz.
Intention:
The purpose of this fanedit was that of making the movie closer in spirit to the original animated movie from 1995. The plot was made more interesting by eliminating all those lines that over-explained the lore of the Ghost in the Shell universe. The pace was made much brisker by eliminating an entire subplot and by shortening many of the scenes. The tone was altered as much as possible to make the movie feel more serious and grounded.
Other Sources:
Additional music used in the fanedit:
1) Enjoy the Silence by Ki:Theory
2) Utai IV_ Reawekening by Kenji Kaway
1) Enjoy the Silence by Ki:Theory
2) Utai IV_ Reawekening by Kenji Kaway
Special Thanks:
Thanks to TM2YC for taking the time to review the fanedit multiple times and for the suggestions that helped improving it.
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
Firstly, I started with the major changes: The beginning of the movie was altered to replicate the way the animated movie starts. The credits scene was rescored and the character of Motoko's mother was deleted. Finally, a flashback sequence was added in the middle of the movies using scenes that were cut from the very beginning. Then I moved on to systematically delete every single line that I deemed too on the nose, especially instances of the "I give my consent" catchphrase, or lines that mentioned the words "Ghost" and "Shell". Also, every line including the new name of the Major, Mira, was eliminated. Now she's simply known as "the Major". Every detail that did not add to the plot and that could be easily deleted was sacrificed to improve the pace of the movie.
Cuts and Additions:
1) Early scenes are cut. Now the movie begins with the Major on the top of a skyscraper.
2) Early apparition of the villain was deleted to add suspense.
3) The scene with the geishas was shortened to eliminate Batou's silly lines.
4) Credits scene was rescored using Kenjy Kawai music. Also, now the title of the movie appears only once during the sequence.
5) Debriefing scene was edited and shortened.
6) Scene with the Major and Aramaki was deleted.
6) Scene with the Major and Oulet was heavily altered to eliminate silliness.
7) Scene with the Major, Batou and Dr. Dhalin was altered to eliminate, once again, silly lines (ex. "She's being hacked!").
8) Action scene in the nightclub was heavily edited so that the Major always appears in control of the situation.
9) Scene with the Major and Oulet was heavily edited to eliminate instances of lines of dialogues deemed too on the nose or that referenced the name "Mira".
10) Scene in which the Major meets a prostitute has been eliminated.
11) Fight scene in the pool of water has been shorted. Also, the chase sequence that comes before has been shortened too.
12) Interrogation scene briefly shortened to eliminate the suicide of the prisoner from the cut (needlessly edgy).
13) The Major's explanation of the villain's objective has been eliminated, to add suspense. Also, the villain himself explains what he's doing just a few minutes later.
14) Dialogue between the Major and Kuze lightly trimmed.
15) Flashback sequence added using scenes cut from the beginning of the movie. These too were altered to eliminate the name Mira.
16) Dialogue between Batou and the Major on the boat slightly edited to eliminate silly line ("You are a corporate man").
17) Dialogue between Oulet and CEO of Hanka heavily altered to eliminate, yet again, on the nose lines.
18) Subsequent scene involving drugged Motoko and Oulet heavily edited to add suspense. Now it truly seems like Oulet is killing the Major by injection of a fatal substance.
19) Cutter's (CEO of Hanka) line deleted.
20) Entire subplot involving Motoko's mother deleted. Last scene from the movie, in which the Major visits her own tomb, moved here.
21) Dialogue between Kuze and Motoko lightly trimmed.
22) Cutter's line shortened (eliminated the part where he says "You freak!").
23) Death of Cutter re-edited to, you guessed it, eliminate unwanted silliness ("I give my consent").
24) Last apparitions of Motoko's mother eliminated from the movie.
2) Early apparition of the villain was deleted to add suspense.
3) The scene with the geishas was shortened to eliminate Batou's silly lines.
4) Credits scene was rescored using Kenjy Kawai music. Also, now the title of the movie appears only once during the sequence.
5) Debriefing scene was edited and shortened.
6) Scene with the Major and Aramaki was deleted.
6) Scene with the Major and Oulet was heavily altered to eliminate silliness.
7) Scene with the Major, Batou and Dr. Dhalin was altered to eliminate, once again, silly lines (ex. "She's being hacked!").
8) Action scene in the nightclub was heavily edited so that the Major always appears in control of the situation.
9) Scene with the Major and Oulet was heavily edited to eliminate instances of lines of dialogues deemed too on the nose or that referenced the name "Mira".
10) Scene in which the Major meets a prostitute has been eliminated.
11) Fight scene in the pool of water has been shorted. Also, the chase sequence that comes before has been shortened too.
12) Interrogation scene briefly shortened to eliminate the suicide of the prisoner from the cut (needlessly edgy).
13) The Major's explanation of the villain's objective has been eliminated, to add suspense. Also, the villain himself explains what he's doing just a few minutes later.
14) Dialogue between the Major and Kuze lightly trimmed.
15) Flashback sequence added using scenes cut from the beginning of the movie. These too were altered to eliminate the name Mira.
16) Dialogue between Batou and the Major on the boat slightly edited to eliminate silly line ("You are a corporate man").
17) Dialogue between Oulet and CEO of Hanka heavily altered to eliminate, yet again, on the nose lines.
18) Subsequent scene involving drugged Motoko and Oulet heavily edited to add suspense. Now it truly seems like Oulet is killing the Major by injection of a fatal substance.
19) Cutter's (CEO of Hanka) line deleted.
20) Entire subplot involving Motoko's mother deleted. Last scene from the movie, in which the Major visits her own tomb, moved here.
21) Dialogue between Kuze and Motoko lightly trimmed.
22) Cutter's line shortened (eliminated the part where he says "You freak!").
23) Death of Cutter re-edited to, you guessed it, eliminate unwanted silliness ("I give my consent").
24) Last apparitions of Motoko's mother eliminated from the movie.
User reviews
32 reviews
Overall rating
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
9.8(32)
Visual Editing
9.9(32)
Audio Editing
9.7(32)
Narrative
9.3(32)
Enjoyment
9.2(32)
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
GitS is one of my most enjoyed franchises since I first saw the original film sometime in 1996 - I have read and watched all the different series/manga/films several times over the years. When I walked out of the cinema after the first showing of the live-action film I was gutted. Why had the film makers decided to bolt on a Robocop lost-memory plot? Why the need for an almost comically bad moustache-twirling style villain? Why was everyone referring to the Major as “Major” like it was her first name? :) (…and “I am Major” at the end, lol wot?)
After several years I was doing very well in forgetting the film apart from a few visuals, and then I found out about this fan edit - and I’m super happy I did. This edit is superb - much closer to the source material and, I’m happy saying, worthy of the name Ghost in the Shell.
This fan edit has literally saved the film for me - I’ve now added the disk to my shelf with the other GitS collections, but it will stay there and I’ll only ever watch this version of the live-action film in the future.
If there was one thing I could find fault in: there’ll never be a 3D version :)
I watched the fanedit in my Quest 2 VR headset via the Skybox app which enables a (virtual) full-sized cinema, and the film looked fantastic.
After several years I was doing very well in forgetting the film apart from a few visuals, and then I found out about this fan edit - and I’m super happy I did. This edit is superb - much closer to the source material and, I’m happy saying, worthy of the name Ghost in the Shell.
This fan edit has literally saved the film for me - I’ve now added the disk to my shelf with the other GitS collections, but it will stay there and I’ll only ever watch this version of the live-action film in the future.
If there was one thing I could find fault in: there’ll never be a 3D version :)
I watched the fanedit in my Quest 2 VR headset via the Skybox app which enables a (virtual) full-sized cinema, and the film looked fantastic.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
A
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Really all I need to say is go watch this edit and forget the theatrical cut ever existed. Hollywood if you want to see how an anime adaptation should be like then take a look at this please. Great job done here as the removal of the Hollywood and cringe bits made this more true to the anime and actually a good movie so kudos to you.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
H
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Let me start by saying I love all things Ghost in the Shell, expect for the 2017 film this is based on. But, I come to many fanedits to see bad or mediocre movies made better or even great. This edit is one of those. It mimics the flawless 1995 animated film as much as possible. It is clear that the opening of the edit is trying to get as many shot-for-shot scenes as much as possible. I love this. I also love that enough of the backstory of characters is cut to create intrigue around them. It makes me wish for a sequel.
The editor has done a fantastic job of taking something mediocre and turning it into something worthwhile for fans of GitS or people just starting to dip their toes into the franchise.
Technically I found nothing wrong with the edit. There wasn't a scene where I felt this or that felt off. Everything felt solid. I highly recommend this edit if you're remotely a fan off GitS.
The editor has done a fantastic job of taking something mediocre and turning it into something worthwhile for fans of GitS or people just starting to dip their toes into the franchise.
Technically I found nothing wrong with the edit. There wasn't a scene where I felt this or that felt off. Everything felt solid. I highly recommend this edit if you're remotely a fan off GitS.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
I
(Updated: February 08, 2022)
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
tldr:
* should I watch this edit? If you like cyberpunk aesthetics and action then yes you should.
* is it better than the original cut? Yes it is.
First of all it's important to make a brief statement about the original Ghost in the Shell (2017) movie. It's visually mesmerizing but completely devoid of substance. A shell without a ghost. It's full of cringe moments, most characters are flat as a board, there is virtually no exploration of the philosophical questions the original movie explored.
Second, I find it difficult to completely detach myself from the flaws and failures of the original movie while reviewing this one. So it may be that my review of FairFriend's work ends up being unfair.
I actually rewatched the original movie only a few days before watching this one. And the only scene I end up noticing as missing was the one where Motoko visits her mother. That says a lot about the barnacles the original movie had and that were rightly shaved off.
Improvements that I've noticed:
+ fixing the soundtrack for the opening scene by using the one from the original anime. Yes! That got me excited!
+ removing almost all of the cringe moments
Missed opportunities - things that should have been done to improve this cut but were not:
- dropping the cyber mech liver scene. It's cringy as hell.
- fix the soundtrack of the driving and action scenes. For a Lean and Mean edition this was a seriously missed opportunity here.
Subjective improvements - things that could have been done differently; debatable if it would improve things or not:
- I love Depeche Mode but using that as the credits track was a really bad choice IMO
- like walkerw said in his review, a more ambiguous ending in regards to the last scene of Kuze
- on the final scene, as Motoko is narrating, include a few seconds of Motoko meeting her mom in the cemetery, thus showing a more human side of her and closure
About my ratings:
* The audio rating has nothing to do with quality. It has to do with the missed opportunity for a proper soundtrack.
* The enjoyment score reflects that. As I noticed some of the scenes feeling dull for not having the right soundtrack to them. And if you're going for an action based cut you need to have them to fuel the action.
edit: updated my rating of the audio editing since it's related to quality of editing and not related to preference/enjoyment of the choice of music
* should I watch this edit? If you like cyberpunk aesthetics and action then yes you should.
* is it better than the original cut? Yes it is.
First of all it's important to make a brief statement about the original Ghost in the Shell (2017) movie. It's visually mesmerizing but completely devoid of substance. A shell without a ghost. It's full of cringe moments, most characters are flat as a board, there is virtually no exploration of the philosophical questions the original movie explored.
Second, I find it difficult to completely detach myself from the flaws and failures of the original movie while reviewing this one. So it may be that my review of FairFriend's work ends up being unfair.
I actually rewatched the original movie only a few days before watching this one. And the only scene I end up noticing as missing was the one where Motoko visits her mother. That says a lot about the barnacles the original movie had and that were rightly shaved off.
Improvements that I've noticed:
+ fixing the soundtrack for the opening scene by using the one from the original anime. Yes! That got me excited!
+ removing almost all of the cringe moments
Missed opportunities - things that should have been done to improve this cut but were not:
- dropping the cyber mech liver scene. It's cringy as hell.
- fix the soundtrack of the driving and action scenes. For a Lean and Mean edition this was a seriously missed opportunity here.
Subjective improvements - things that could have been done differently; debatable if it would improve things or not:
- I love Depeche Mode but using that as the credits track was a really bad choice IMO
- like walkerw said in his review, a more ambiguous ending in regards to the last scene of Kuze
- on the final scene, as Motoko is narrating, include a few seconds of Motoko meeting her mom in the cemetery, thus showing a more human side of her and closure
About my ratings:
* The audio rating has nothing to do with quality. It has to do with the missed opportunity for a proper soundtrack.
* The enjoyment score reflects that. As I noticed some of the scenes feeling dull for not having the right soundtrack to them. And if you're going for an action based cut you need to have them to fuel the action.
edit: updated my rating of the audio editing since it's related to quality of editing and not related to preference/enjoyment of the choice of music
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
N
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I saw the original movie a while a go and was neither impressed nor disgusted by it; it had some good elements but the pacing was weird and a few things felt off.
Here, the story is much more linear and action-packed. And while I really enjoy the slow, contemplative pace of the anime, this "Lean and Mean" live-action version is a breeze of fresh air.
Here, the story is much more linear and action-packed. And while I really enjoy the slow, contemplative pace of the anime, this "Lean and Mean" live-action version is a breeze of fresh air.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
S