GLAMOUR REVIEWS: Ghost in the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson
This really shouldn't have turned out as well as it has. There's been the development hell - seven writers in as many years – the controversy of casting Scarlett Johansson in a role that should have been a cert for an Asian actress, and then the fact that the source material, a cult Japanese manga comic, might lose a lot in translation on its way to Hollywood. But here it is. A super smart action movie threaded through a dazzling, nightmarish vision of where cyber technology might take us.
Set some time in the future, Motoka Kusanagi (Johansson) wakes up to find her brain has been transplanted into a cyborg body. Well, she's livid. Who wouldn't be? But then the doctor (Juliette Binoche) explains that they saved her from drowning and that she's been given superhuman skills. Now called ‘The Major’, she leads a team of mercenaries to catch a murderous hacker.
Johansson has showed her action movie chops before – in Lucy and as the awesome Black Widow in the Marvel movies – and here she effortlessly handles bruising combat one minute before, in a still moment, conveying all the emotional conflict of someone sifting the fading memories of her past.
The design of the movie is extraordinary. Filmed in Hong Kong, the cityscapes have been transformed into a future where advertising has won and tower block-sized moving holograms of geishas and beer bottles compete for attention. Advances in technology are now just for those who can afford it. With the right download – straight to the brain – a school kid can learn a foreign language in a second. And you can drink to oblivion, safe in the knowledge you can always print out a new liver. Few sci-fi films feel so fantastical yet plausible. Artful and commercial, this should give Blade Runner 49, which comes out later this year, a run for its money.
Scroll down for all Scar-Jo's looks
Getty ImagesJuly 1996
Hitting the Hollywood scene back in '96, 12-year-old Scarlett is already giving us clues to the Hollywood beauty she'll grow up to become.
Rex FeaturesMarch 1998
Two years later and the glossy pout that will become her signature is already in pride of place.
Getty ImagesNovember 1998
Just a few months later though and Scarlett is experimenting in the moody teen beauty arena. Black eyeliner, check. Funky stick-on face adornments, check.
Rex FeaturesFebruary 2000
To enter a new milennium, Scar-Jo gives her make-up something of a more sophisticated edge. The liner's still there but it's a more refined feline flick. The pout has been treated to some clear gloss, and she's tamed her hair with a bejewelled hair band. Fancy.
Rex FeaturesNovember 2000
At the tail end of the same year, the chic teenage vibe is still present. We're digging the floral hair accessory.
Getty ImagesJuly 2001
By mid 2001, Scarlett's still feeling the floral vibe, but her hair has taken on a crimped effect and her make-up a much sultrier aesthetic.
Rex FeaturesJune 2002
A year on and the vibe is of a decidedly 70s flavour. A shaggy fringed cut and heavy eye make-up make for a retro combination.
Rex FeaturesSeptember 2002
By September of the same year though, Scarlett's embracing the burnt orange vibe, on the make-up and the hair front. And it suits her.
Rex FeaturesMarch 2003
What a transformation! Scarlett comes over all punk with this blonde, edgy shag and kohled eyes. This year marked her transition to adult roles in film, and she was soon to become the critics’ darling (not to mention Woody Allen’s latest muse and Hollywood’s hottest teen property) with her starring role in quirky indie flick, Lost In Translation.
Rex FeaturesSeptember 2003
By now, Scarlett is hot Hollywood property, and her sexy starlet status is really beginning to be cemented. It's not hard to see why.
Rex FeaturesSeptember 2003
Cool lilacs and pinks blend well with a frosted lip and teased icy blonde locks in September 2003.
Rex FeaturesSeptember 2003
Later that month, Scarlett looks retro glamorous with blonde ringlets, glossy pink lips and heavy lashes. Dramatic, indeed. Our favourite beauty look from Scarlett? The jury's out.
Getty ImagesFebruary 2004
For the Brit Awards in 2004, Scarlett goes OTT in the eye department. But, we have to admit that the rainbow colour spectrum, paired with the glossy pink pout and immaculate updo actually works.
Rex FeaturesFebruary 2004
Va-va-vamp. This is one of Scarlett's best beauty looks to date. It's a modern day Marilyn aesthetic, AKA timeless glamour done to perfection.
Rex FeaturesJune 2004
For the Tony Awards in 2004, Scarlett turns heads with a combination of hot red gloss, eyeliner and a straight-meets-kinked hairdo. It's unusual but we still give it a hearty thumbs up.
PA PhotosFebruary 2004
The epitome of the silver screen bombshell, Scarlett is a sight for sore eyes at the Venice Film Festival in '04. Proof that you don't need to go all out on the make-up front when you have an immaculate updo to carry your beauty look.
Rex FeaturesMay 2006
But Scarlett's no one trick beauty pony - she's more than happy to experiment with her make-up and her hair colour. For the Met Gala in 2006 she goes over to the dark side, debuting a sleek mocha updo and matching it with heavy smoked eyes. Who says blondes have more fun?
Getty ImagesSeptember 2006
For The Black Dahlia LA premiere, Scarlett is the talk of the red carpet for all the right reasons with this statement-making voluminous updo. It's more J-Lo than Scar-Jo but she pulls it off with aplomb.
Rex FeaturesFebruary 2007
One of our all-time favourite looks from Ms Johansson, this Charlie's Angels-esque wavy down 'do, complete with burnished eyes and a wet-look pout, is a recipe for red carpet beauty success.
Rex FeaturesMay 2007
Sporting a light brunette shade and a palette of pretty pinks in May 2007, this is a sugary sweet beauty look from the A-lister. It's like butter wouldn't melt.
Rex FeaturesFebruary 2009
For the He's Just Not That Into You premiere in 2009, the world collectively gasped when Scarlett stepped on to the red carpet sporting straight rich chestnut locks. Breath-taking indeed. This is a showstopping style.
Rex FeaturesMarch 2009
Another sojourn into the girly beauty world in March '09, Scarlett's dark updo (complete with bow hairband) and a rich pink pout is a striking style for a Dolce & Gabbana make-up event.
Rex FeaturesJuly 2009
Straight out of the classic red carpet beauty book, Scarlett hits it out the ballpark with this sophisticated style. The curled tresses, the immaculate make-up - it's a faultless look.
Rex FeaturesApril 2010
Big, bouncy and oh-so beautiful. This look is ALL about the hair - and there's a lot of it. Hair envy guaranteed.
Rex FeaturesJune 2010
When Scarlett wants to make a statement, she uses her tresses to do the talking. Take this voluminous style, for example - it's jaw-dropping, especially when combined with look-at-me make-up hues.
Rex FeaturesOctober 2010
This is Scarlett's take on cool girl, nonchalant beauty styling. The subtle golden shadow, the nude lip, the faux blonde bob - it's all a hands-down hit.
Rex FeaturesDecember 2011
Modern day meets old Hollywood - just the way we like it.
Rex Features<b<February 2011[/b]
Metallics and honey-hued locks are a fantastic combination, especially when teamed with deep berry shades (like the shade of Scarlett's lace dress). This is a warm glowy look for winter.
Rex FeaturesMay 2012
This look has an air of sophisticated French styling. J'adore!
Rex FeaturesMay 2012
When you want your audience to concentrate on the craftsmanship of your ornate dress, make like Scarlett and keep your hair and beauty styling relaxed and carefree.
Rex FeaturesMay 2012
Loose waves, a glistening red lip and a daraway gaze - this has all the elements of romantic beauty. We're taking notes.
Rex FeaturesJanuary 2014
Scarlett nods to premium retro glamour Veronica Lake style with a mane of glossy pin curls and a bold red lip for a TV appearance at the turn of 2014. This is seriously good.
Rex FeaturesFebruary 2014
We like to call this Scarlett's take on Madonna's Erotica phase. High glamour that literally oozes sex appeal.
PA PhotosMarch 2014
Matching your lips to your dress - what's not to love? Especially when said shade is a gloriously rich shade of magenta. Leave your freshly blow-dried hair loose and tumbling over your shoulders and just wait for the compliments to roll in.
PANovember 2014
Short, sharp and seriously blonde, Scarlett showed off this gorgeous close crop on the red carpet in November (just days before her 30th birthday) - and we can't take our eyes off it. If you're looking for a slick but soft crop, make like Scarlett and keep some length at the front to really frame your face.
PA PhotosApril 2015
Set for spring with a pop of pink lip colour and a flicked pixie crop, Scarlett looks gorgeous out and about in New York.
Getty ImagesJune 2017
Woah - how stunning is ScarJo's eye makeup in this snap? The subtle lilac sparkling hue suits her perfectly.
