Casshern (2004) Kasshân

Movie Rating NR Contains: Strong Language Violence

Director: Kazuaki Kiriya Movie Genre: Science Fiction, Action Country: Japan Casshern Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 6.4 Writing: 5.0 Acting: 6.0 Cinematography: 9.6 Sound and Score: 6.2 Functionality: 7.0 Presentation: 8.2 Genre Comparison: 7.9 General Comparison: 6.8 Overall: 7.0 Reviewed 2007-11-01 15:58:47

Japanese director Kazuaki Kiriya’s first feature film, Casshern is a remake of the 1973 anime, Casshan: Robot Hunter. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future and is centered on the discovery of a new kind of cell that can enable the human body to regenerate itself. Dr. Kotaro Azuma is the scientist that discovered these “neo cells” present in an indigenous people branded by the government as terrorists. During a freak accident when a giant tower fell from the sky into the tank of neo cells, the cells started combining to form a new race of super-humans who refer to themselves as “Neo-Sapiens.” When the Neo-Sapiens declare war on the rest of humanity, Dr. Azuma used what was left of the neo cell tank to resurrect his recently deceased son, Tetsuya. The newly resurrected Tetsuya, having all of the powers that the Neo-Sapiens possess, dons an experimental suit of armor and becomes Casshan, the savior of humanity.

Kiriya remains true to the original movie by filming Casshern as a sort of live action anime. The characters are exaggerated, larger than life, played as if driven solely by emotion. The backgrounds move with the actors, invoking a heightened sense of excitement. There are “action lines” that emphasize the hyperactive movements of the movie’s more intense scenes. Also, like many animes, the settings are grandiose and epic. This establishes an entire separate universe for the movie to exist in.

The visual aesthetic is the most impressive element to Casshern. Kiriya used a great deal of computer-generated effects in this movie. Unlike most special effect laden movies, the effects in this movie are believable and accentuate its internal logic. There are several instances where it is impossible to tell what was shot with a manufactured set and what was shot in front of a colored screen.

This movie’s only downfall is its convoluted storyline. There are far too many plot points all fighting for control of the narrative. It is understandable that Kiriya wanted to include social relevance in this movie, but it can be argued that stem-cell research, political corruption, ethnic cleansing, the sanctity of life, and humanity’s self-destructive nature are a few too many issues for one science fiction movie to bear.

All in all, Casshern is a wonderfully entertaining movie. The jumbled, constantly changing plot is a deterrent, but it can be easily overlooked because of the stunning visuals and the thrilling action sequences. Considering that Kazuaki Kiriya directed, shot, edited, and helped write this, his debut movie, he is surely a director to watch closely in the future.