'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War' Review: The easiest way to recap Season 1 of the series

Not in the mood to binge the whole Season 1 before Season 2 drops? 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War' is the quick recap you need
A screengrab from 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045' (Netflix)
A screengrab from 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045' (Netflix)

If you've been waiting for the premiere of Season 2 of 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045', then you might have to hold out a little longer. Thankfully, till then, you can tune into 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War', a movie that recounts the events of Season 1 of the show. As per the official synopsis of the series, "In 2045, the world has been thrown into a state of systematic "sustainable war," but the threat of human extinction at the hands of AI hasn't yet pervaded the public consciousness. Former members of Public Security Section 9, including full-body cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi, are working as hired mercenaries when mysterious beings known as "post humans" begin to emerge. The world's superpowers are trying to come to grips with the threat, and so Section 9 is reorganized."

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'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War' is a retelling of season 1, where Major Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, along with members of Section 9 are now hired mercenaries, fighting the "sustainable war". When they are tasked with a mission involving Patrick Huge, a man they believe is supplying weapons to rebellion factions, they soon realize a more significant threat is at hand -- the emergence of posthumans. These posthumans are extremely intelligent and have extreme physical powers, making them impossible to stop. With Section 9 going back to Japan, they find themselves trying to track down three posthumans who have emerged in society. While they manage to take down one, two are still at large -- Takashi Shimura and Suzuka Mizukane. The team soon realizes that Shimura is behind the Thinkpol, a program that allows the masses to condemn and execute people as they see fit. While Togusa disappears in his quest to find Shimura, Kusanagi realizes that the American government might be as transparent as they claim to be. 



 


Animated in the same style as Season 1, 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War' is a recap of the events that happened back then. If you're looking for a refresher before you start Season 2 and do not want to have to sit through all of Season 1, watching this movie is undoubtedly your best bet. That being said, it sticks closely to the plotline without deviating much from it, with the end of the movie showing clips of what to expect from Season 2 as Suzuka Mizukane enters the picture. You can hold out on watching this movie right before Season 2 drops so that you're up to speed when the Major gets ready to kick a*s on screen. 

'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War' premieres on Netflix on May 9, 2022. The movie will be followed by the release of 'Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045' Season 2 on May 23.

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