Casshern (2004)

Mah feels!

Written and directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, Casshern is a 2004 tokusatsu based loosely on the 1973 anime Neo-Human Casshern by Takao Koyama. The film stars Yusuke Iseya as Tetsuya Azuma/Casshern, Kumiko Aso as Tetsuya's love interest Luna Kozuki, Toshiaki Karasawa as the antagonist Burai, Kamen Rider Agito's Jun Kaname as Barashin, singer/musician/actor Akira Terao as Dr. Azuma, and actress Kanako Higuchi as Midori Azuma.

Definitely earns those four stars.

Casshern (2004) takes place in a distant future in the aftermath of a fifty-year war between the Eastern Federation and Europa; a war which has devastated the environment and the human population. A brilliant (see mad) scientist named Dr. Azuma has discovered Neo Cells within the genes of a subspecies of humans. In theory, the Neo Cells would be able to regenerate limbs, organs, and even cure disease. During this time, Dr. Azuma's son Tetsuya enlists in the army and is soon called upon to help put down a resistance movement in Eurasia Zone 7 - where he is killed shortly after. One fateful evening when Dr. Azuma is researching Neo Cells, a lightning bolt strikes the pool of genetic material he keeps in his lab - reconstructing and reanimating the bodies therein -giving birth to the Neo Sapiens in the process. Lead by the powerful and intensely focused Burai, the Neo Sapiens set out to destroy humankind and take their place as the dominant life-form on this planet. Dr. Azuma uses the Neo-Cells to resurrect his son Tetsuya - reborn, rearmed, and rejuvenated Tetsuya now called Casshern is the only thing that stands between mankind and extinction. What follows is a long, complicated, epic that will stir the heart and make you question everything you know about these characters, their motives, and the nature of human existence.

Make It Right

The summary I've written is rather complex and even a bit disjointed because the film is two hours long (longer than that in the original version). Despite its Transformers-esque length the movie doesn't feel like a slog and much of the narrative does thread together more organically even if the plot is often more fantasy than science fiction. From a thematic standpoint Casshern is much, much different from its 1973 predecessor, but this is not a detriment to the film. At its core the film's primary themes deal with war, family, and how trauma affects how humans relate to each other. The film deals with these incredibly complex themes while drawing inspiration from classic literature. For example, the film has elements of Frankenstein given the nature of the Neo Sapiens, the circumstances of their creation, and Dr. Azuma's relationship with them. The Neo Sapiens seek Dr. Azuma's acknowledgement his love even, but it's not something he can give to them because they are abominations.

Film legend Toshiaki Karasawa delivers a powerful performance as Burai.

Our hero Tetsuya and our villain Burai are in some ways both victims of their circumstances, but paradoxically enough are reaping the karma for their own actions towards others. Tetsuya and Burai develop a Cain and Abel-esque relationship even though deep down Burai doesn't want Tetsuya's death he wants Tetsuya's understanding. The language of Kazuaki Kiriya is pain and these characters fight through a profound level of suffering and violence is their only outlet. During his battle with Tetsuya, Burai even admits that he hates mankind so much that he doesn't know how to stop even if he wants to. While Tetsuya himself has to fight for the survival of all mankind even though he's aware that people will never stop fighting wars and will one day destroy each other. Whether they are acting in the name of revenge, love, science, or the future every character is locked in a situation where lose-lose is the only real outcome. Even so they keep moving forward, doing all the good they know how to do until the end. There are some shocking revelations in the movie that may leave you as devastated as the characters themselves.

Casshern Solos

Don't think for a minute that this film doesn't have badass credentials. Casshern is tokusatsu and with that in mind it has some super cool fight scenes. We're talking cinematic speedlines, action poses, some brutal beatdowns, and one particular battle where Casshern single-handedly destroys an army of robots in a fight so over-the-top that it's worth watching the film for that battle alone. Aesthetically, the film is a mix of urbanpunk and Russian Avant-Garde and if like myself you aren't familiar with either of those the film is visually stunning.

Shiro Sagisu composes the film's score which can only be described as fantastic, and Japanese rock band The Black Horn drops a few tracks as well. Casshern may not appeal to everyone. It does take a long-time to get started which might turn off some viewers. Traditionalists may not be pleased with the liberties the film has taken with the source material. Also, the first English release had issues wherein the subtitles would not always display which is a localization issue. These flaws aside, I found Casshern to be a powerful film about war, sacrifice, and humanity that falls just short of a must-own, but is still a great movie.