Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison

By JackDavidsonOLD October 10, 2000 10:20 AM

I was surprised that I had never noticed the full extent of the similarities.?Of course I had heard people mention the two movies talking of their similar traits, but this site shows just how close the two are.

Some of the camera shots are nearly identical, and the effects and many plot elements are very similar.?For instance, the beginning credits:?Both movies feature green text which changes to reveal the names.?To see the full comparison check out the site.

| comments: 30

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RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 5:12 PM

I've been preaching this for ages. I was wondering when and if someone else would notice this. 

Oh, and... WAKE UP!!!

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 5:24 PM

exactly! rarely have I ever felt as ripped off as when I actually paid to see the matrix. So many scenes were so blantantly stolen it made me mad. And then listening to all the wannabees preaching how great and philosophical the movie is.... BS

Oh, Get Over it!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 6:28 PM

You people are like sheep anymore, just because some well liked journalist write this hodge podge article about how he suddenly realizes that the Matrix is the ideas of many movies you guys suddenly start agreeing with him. As said, get over it. It happens every damn time a movie comes along that actually spurs something in all of us, someone has the tenacity to scope every flaw it has. 

Really!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 6:32 PM

can't anyone friggin think for themselves anymore??? ghost in the shell was great no doubt, the invisibles comic was interesting, but saying the matrix was a collection of various ideas from various movies combined is basically saying same thing about every other damn movie anymore. The only difference is, the matrix was actually good. don't give that crap about thinking how much a rip off it was when you saw it, either that or you were one of the few who think that anything different than the norm (you know, the sameness quality of most movies anymore) is the only way, iconoclasts be damned.

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 7:07 PM

ghost in the shell = sci fi
matrix = techno-trash

Why people prefer vapid techy effects and half-baked plots to science-fiction escapes me. Guess the masses don't like thinkin' much. :/

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 7:40 PM

I haven't seen ghost in the shell, but the movie dark city, released long befor the matirx is incredibly similar

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 7:53 PM

If the basic premise of the matrix didn't grab you, if the special effects didn't entertain you, and if the music didn't inspire you, you are not a fan of science-fiction. Just because something sci-fi broke into the mainstream and isn't as terribly complex as other examples of the genre doesn't make said successful work non-sci-fi or moronic. 

Get off your high horse... if you can do so without breaking your legs.

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 11, 2000 7:55 PM

Hey who cares?

The matrix was awsome! I don't care if it was a rehash of Ghost in the Shell. It was a damn good movie. 

To tell you the truth I'm going to go and rent Ghost in the Shell to see where the Matrix came from!

Rocket.

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 12, 2000 6:26 AM

Personally I didn't think that Ghost in the Shell was all that great or original either. The best and most original sci-fi anime has still gotta be AKIRA. 

Ian

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 12, 2000 9:26 AM

Amen Brotha!

RE: Oh, Get Over it!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 12, 2000 1:41 PM

Actually... this comparison is very true. 
I saw GIS a month before the Matrix, and the Matrix felt like a sequel, when my opinion was completely objective. 
Also, the Wachowski brothers themselves mention anime films as one of the top inspirations for their movie. GIS is pretty much the top anime film, so duhhh. Why do you mind? No one is completely original. I thought it was a good idea, to make a live-action anime.

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 12, 2000 5:25 PM

Well, I'll try to help. First, it's not really a contest. We don't have to take sides, like in a high school cheering contest or football game. We can like many movies at once. I really enjoyed The Matrix and continue to think it's a great accomplishment. I consider myself fairly smart and if you knew me I doubt you'd say I'm a sheep or a conformist. I had seen some Anime, such as Akira, when I saw Matrix, but not all of the ones mentioned here. Should I now, upon learning it was not completely original (surprise), decide it's crap and not enjoyable? What a self-concious and contrived impulse that would be. Tell me this: the night I saw the Matrix, what could I have done instead that would have been really very similar in content and in form to that movie? That would have affected me (and many others, apparently) the same way? My guess: nothing. 

Just because you find influences for a work doesn't nullify that work. I think it's INTERESTING to explore influences and pedigree, but it's not evidence of some conspiracy. Do you think the creators of Ghost in the Shell (or others) now despise the creators of the Matrix for "stealing" their ideas? No, they probably liked it too (correct me if I'm wrong). Does everything have to be a contest? This reminds me of those who maintain that all first-person shooters are just "Doom clones" (Wolfenstein clones?). No objective person thinks so...it requires certain preconceptions to think so. Diablo II is just a rehash of Pong! Pixels moving around on a screen--what a rip-off!

Cheers,
Helborg

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 12, 2000 6:24 PM

To be influenced is one thing, to rip off is another.. and the Matrix is so obviously a ripoff it confounds me that anyone would suggest otherwise. When you strip away the incredibly dumb plot, the boring dialogs and the ripped off scenes all you have left are some glitzy special effects. Point is.. if this is your idea of entertainment then good for you, you are easily entertained... 

and always remember, ignorance is bliss

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 13, 2000 7:48 AM

Well... I don't hope to think when I go into a movie where the trailer shows crazy gun dodging sex. The guy who said Dark City is similar I agree with. Except that wasn't as action-oriented as the matrix so... whatever

as for being a ripoff... how's a culmination of goods in other things BAD? It sought to entertain and that's what it did... very well I might add. Don't blow up over something so trivial as a hyped movie.

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 13, 2000 8:13 AM

It's not like the matrix was some sci-fi masterpiece, it was however a great action movie. It's like every time I go see a movie I want it to be an intellectual endeavor. The matrix accomplishes what it set out to do, to be a fun movie. It's no Blade Runner. 

-Ian

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 16, 2000 9:12 AM

OMG, I went to that site, what a sack of shit! Lemme guess, the ORANGE is a ripoff of the APPLE cause it hangs from a tree. Conspiricy rating: 9

Give me a break, this dude will prolly have his site compare Nine Inch Nails to Britney Spears next. Hey, they both use DRUMS!

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 19, 2000 4:28 PM

If I'm so easily entertained, could you point me to some other movies that I'll like as much as The Matrix? I'd really like to see them!

KP

RE: RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparis   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 12, 2000 6:35 PM

ok GIS and Akira both kicked ass. All moives of the same genra are useually a like in some way or another. thats why they are in the same catagory of film! just because one is animated and the other is live action. wow big fucking differance they both kick ass hell all animes kick ass alot os sci-fi movies kick ass the only people complaining are the people who have to much time on their hands to even bother thinking about it. hell you probally havn't gotten laid in your god damn pathetic life!

RE: RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparis   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 12, 2000 6:37 PM

hahahah amen brother!

RE: RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 14, 2001 4:01 AM

This is a reponse to the post from 10/11/00, at 19:53:09  

First of all, science fiction never really "broke into the mainstream" as you say it did, and second,how does finding that trite techno-trash music uninspiring make someone any less of a sci-fi fan?  How COULD music like that inspire you if it is as banal as the images that accompany it on screen?  Most of us ARE science fiction fans; it's just that narrow-minded idiots like yourself don't want to realize that your precious "Matrix" movie plagiarized the premise and plot (and basically, everything else you can think of) from many other BETTER films and comic books (notably, "Dark City" and "The Invisibles").  It seems to me that anyone such as yourself that thinks that sci-fi doesn't need to be intelligent and thought-provoking needs to be doing a little research on what sci-fi actually is.  And yes, if something is dumbed-down and spoon-fed to the audience, it is NOT entertainment because it takes the intelligence of the audience for granted.  Real sci-fi makes people THINK (but then again, I guess people like you think that's too much of a burden, and want others to do all the thinking for you).  Oh well, just don't whine to all the free-thinking people out there once you find you're unhappy with all the rest of the "Matrix" clones that come out in the following years, after all, YOU are the type that endorses this so-called "original" sci-fi.

RE: RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 14, 2001 4:12 AM

I absolutely agree with you; the masses DON'T like thinking for themselves.  And then these types of people go and whine how they don't like what the others think for them.  Well, if they're lazy enough to want someone else to think for them, they deserve EVERYTHING that's coming to them.

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparis   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 12, 2002 8:51 PM

that's great man, looks like you ripped off reality, you got it so right. Conspiracy rating:9

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparis   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 28, 2003 4:00 AM

I ve never posted amything onany site before but i just had to reply to your little message. after reading some of the stuff on here and how people get soooo pissed off with each other over such little things like a film. i mean what the hell you are absolutely right my friend. those among you who really wanna complain and get on your high horse about these things really need to go out....hit a club...find a girl...just go out drinkin with your mates...get laid....just do summin!

Ghost In The Shell & Matrix   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 10, 2003 12:02 AM

I friggin love the Matrix and couldn't care less if someone thinks that makes me unable to think for myself or easily entertained. Some observations on everyone's arguments: (1) No idea is original. It isn't possible to name a single artist/thinker of any genre, medium or era who hasn't borrowed, stolen or built on someone else's ideas. Every piece mentioned was influenced by and even "ripped off" some other work. Sci-fi today is influenced by the likes of Brave New World, 1984 and countless others, written over 50 years ago. The Matrix certainly has not hurt any of its influences. (2) The fact that we are debating any of theses films, often very rudely, is proof that all of us, myself included, are thinking about what the story-tellers are telling us to. (3) As a result of seeing the Matrix I have seen Ghost in the Shell, read Baudrillard, Neuromancer, Christian Gnosticism, Greek Mythology, a comparison of Taoism and Christianity, plan to see The Invisibles and Dark City and read more on various other philosophical inluences. How can any of that be a bad result of the Matrix. The fact is we're all a bunch of damn geeks dosing ourselves with our opiate of choice.

Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 13, 2003 5:24 PM

Well, after seeing all the trilogy, there is no doubt that the Wachowsky brothers have seen a  lot of anime.
The final battle in "Revolutions" looks very similar to a Dragon Ball Fight. The two fighters, flying , the camera taking a long shoot view of the fight, the movements that they made in the water, leaving marks in the air. Evern the way that Neo is blast in to the wall, leaving circular marks in the wall....
But the thing is...that the Wachowsky Brother...have said that Ghost in the shell was an inspiration for them....So...i think that answers all the questions...
Off course The Matrix has its own strength....there is nothing wrong with a little bit of "inspiration"...

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 1, 2003 12:27 PM

even dark city got the idea from mamoru oshii's movie, beautiful dreamer. same guy who directed GIS.

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 5, 2003 11:46 AM

If you want to talk about Story Comparisons I think you should back up to 80's...  remember the movie 'TRON'...  That thing at the end of Revolution was a glorified version of the 'MCP'....  you do the math...

RE: Matrix and Ghost in the Shell comparison   reply

Posted by silentbob (chronic_238@hotmail.com) on December 8, 2003 7:18 AM

come on, did no-one know that reaves had to watch some anime films before starting filming?
1. Ghost In The Shell
2. Ninja Scroll
and I think there was another but I'm not too sure which one it was.

enough already   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 21, 2004 2:05 PM

if we started counting all the foriegn/independent movies that were ripped off by Hollywood money the webmaster would shut this site down for lack of space.  Let's just say what needs to be said, there are many Americans such as myself who are sick and tired of the sh*tty, pointless movies and other products of our culture.      It is almost unbearable that movies like Soul Plane and The Pledge open in cinemas nationwide, while thought provoking movies liek Ghost in the Shell: Innocence barely gets a spot.  The way to control this is like everything else in the corporate slave state, with the dollar.  Stop watching the crap that is realeased by these media conglomerates, start watching foreign and independent films from around the world.  
I think the Matrix vomited up some of the same old ideas, but imagine how many people Matrix touched that Ghost in the Shell couldn't have reached, maybe they saw Ghost in the Shell as a result of it? Maybe movies will become more than the superficial sh*t we have now as a result.  Stop you 3rd grade popularity contest, grow the f*ck up and go watch some of these other amazing movies like Waking Life,  or Pi, or the Russian Ark, or City of God...

Ghost in the shell comparison   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 16, 2005 2:32 PM

the bottom line is that the matrix ripped off a bunch of movies and is just parts from several different movies, books which is held together by special effects and a slightly tweaked plot. It is true that the matrix ripped off of ghost in the shell more then anything else and as some people stated there is a difference between inspiration and ripping something off and the W brothers crossed that line. if u look at ghost in the shell and the matrix u will find that the matrix is just a carbon copy of ghost in the shell with a slightly tweaked plot. the only reason why ghost in the shell was not as big or bigger then the matrix in the U.S. was the fact that sex sells and its sad to say but they actually used bOObs 2 much. it undermined the integrity of the movie. BTW ANY1 WHO HAS NOT SEEN GHOST IN THE SHELL HAS NO PART IN THIS DEBATE BECUASE YOU WONT UNDERSTAND JUST HOW MUCH THE MATRIX RIPPED IT OFF. yes as an anime fan this pisses me off but the matrix is still a great movie allthough i prefer GITS (ghost in the shell) and the W brothers  did a goodjob. i am happy that the W brothers atleast admited that the matrix was inspired (totally ripped off of) GITS and other movies, books, mangas. but does this really matter? hell no :/