The Japanese liked Scarlett Johansson. Literally, people representing the country where GitS came from, thought Scarlett was a good choice. But, true to our nature, us white folks either didn't notice or acknowledge their feelings. As a lowly faculty assistant from my middle school once said, when I rightfully counter-insulted a friend, "Well I'm offended for her, so you're in trouble."
Friendly reminder: The Japanese people felt the "Japanese Juggernaut" boom of the 80's at least as much as us Americans did. For a time, our aesthetics was reflected on their popular culture. Think about it: Why were so many 90's anime influenced at least in part by Western sci-fi/fantasy concepts? The Slayers is pretty much an exaggerated game of D&D, Cowboy Bebop is a fusion of Americanized kung fu and western-movie aesthetic; speaking of outlaws, Outlaw Star is what happens when Ghost in the Shell, a property already heavily influenced by German sci-fi robotics, meets Cowboy Bebop.
Besides, you ever wonder why anime characters for most of the 80's, 90's and 00's were pale? As in, not the same skin shade as the actual Japanese people? It's because they were trying to appeal to us.
And that mentality, whether they know it or not, carried over into their impression of ScarJo as Major Kusanagi. They said that ScarJo looks like the Major, so they're happy with it.
But, again, Western audiences, who were hyper-sensitive to racial blunders in 2017 - something something orange president something - this white-washing was perceived as something probably far, FAR more offensive than it probably was.
As for more cinematic nuts-and-bolts complaints, I got nothing. Never seen the movie. I imagine it's okay, but it might've been better if it had the freedom of imagination that comes from being a 2D animation.