2004, Japan
Director: Kazuaki Kiriya
Starring: Yusuke Iseya, Kumiko Aso

Plot: A great war comes to an end leaving the earth diseased and polluted. The geneticist Dr. Azuma asks for support from the government for his “neo-cell” treatment research that he claims can rejuvenate the body and regenerate humankind. Driven to complete his work Dr. Azuma accepts a secret offer from a sinister faction of the powerful military. After an incident happens in Dr. Azuma’s lab, a race of mutant humans is unleashed upon the world. Now only the hero known as Casshern, reincarnated with an invincible body, stands between the mutant humans and a world on the verge of annihilation.

Just like Hollywood found a niche for comic books adaptations in last couple years, Japan has been making numerous animated series into live action films this year. CASSHERN is one of many. It is truly fascinating film to look at. The images are very anime inspired. It is very elegant and amazing bringing to mind Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS. There are many moments in this film that until now we could only find in the world of anime. That said, CASSHERN has only that to offer. Nothing more, nothing less.

CASSHERN’s biggest problem is the excess amount of content and subplots the first time director tried to incorporate in the film. The film is way too pretentious and way too preachy. With a 2-hour and 20 minute running time, it is really hard to keep focus on the main plot when there’s so much happening in each frame. Kiriya’s craftsmanship here is very promising. He just needed to keep his focus on what is really important which are the sci fi action elements. Instead he tries to make a character driven anti-war film with very poor character development. The message is crystal clear: war is bad. He shows us the horrors of mankind. Just like any other film of this type, mankind is destroying mankind. Everyone is dying at the mercy of his or her own people. I really don’t think this was the right film to preach that message.

CASSHERN kicks major ***censored*** when he fights against robots. The film contains cool fights. But they don’t last very long. Instead of giving the audience what they are really looking for and want, he has his characters keep repeating monologues which essentially all have the same meaning. Even though the Shakespeare acts get old quickly, every single cast member delivers a great performance in their roles. Everyone gets to show off his or her ability to be sentimental, emotionally unstable, and truly sincere. It is great that in the film like this, no one is really going over the top.

CASSHERN isn’t the film they truly promoted to be which is a ***censored*** cool sci fi action film. It is a shame because it has so many potential. Or perhaps I just wasn’t ready for a Shakespeare play set in a superhero world.

Review by Shogo.