Nihon Review: "Appleseed was an entertaining, albeit run-of-the-mill movie originally penned by Masamune Shirow, the mastermind behind the widely acclaimed Ghost in the Shell franchise. It boasted over-the-top cyberpunk action sequences and a fashionable cast that predictably lacked emotional depth, all of which are synonymous with Shirow‘s works. Appleseed‘s sequel Ex Machina doesn’t seem to be substantially different: it is also a showcase of flamboyant adrenaline rush and passive characters, but what sets it apart from its prequel is its execution and flair."
