If I remember correctly, I though the movie was based on a later chapter in the manga. That's why its a bit confusing cause the manga was building up the story while the movie sorta drops you into it. I appreciate the real animation but I don't really like the character designs, the Chief and Batou (sp?) turned out fine but the Major looks like a china doll and is dramatically different from her original design. In fact many of the characters looked more like dolls and mannequins than real people. Its why the acting feels a bit weird in the film...

Still, the story is good and the atmosphere of the film is excellent. I liked the music and the animation is well done. Its not my favorite Ghost in the Shell story, I prefer the manga and the TV series a bit more but I feel the film is still good. I still haven't seen the second film that is suppose to be a sequel to the first film.