Casshern
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.74 You Save: $24.24 (90%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Casshern
Movie Review: Great Price and a great deal
Summary: 5 Stars
good shipping deal, and a directors cut of an uncommon foriegn film, all for a reasonably cheap price.Movie Review: Please do yourself a favor, if you saw the action-packed trailer, forget it!
Summary: 4 Stars
CASSHERN is loosely based on the Japanese anime in the 1970's called "Casshan Robot fighter" which was in turn adapted into the live-action TV series. Highly stylized and visually stunning, "CASSHERN" gives you that first impression that it is a drag-out robot smashing action film as its trailer suggests. However, there is more to this film than first meets the eye.
Plot synopsis derived from the dvd back cover/slip sleeve:
An alternate world with an alternate history.
The world is divided between two opposing alliances. After fifty years of bitter warfare, the Greater Eastern Federation triumphs over the Europan forces and gains control over the Eurasian continent. However, this is a hollow victory. Years of chemical, biological and nuclear war have ravaged the land; draining its resources and left an exhausted population at the mercy of every pestilence and newly-mutated disease. With the war ravaged world, hope dwindles for humanity's future. Remaining leaders debate over the chances of finding some way to stave off the seemingly-inevitable decline of civilization. One man comes forward with a possible solution. Dr. Azuma is a geneticist who proposes a "neo-cell" treatment that can rejuvenate the body and regenerate humankind. He's driven in his studies by a desire to save his beloved wife, Midori, from the ravages of a pollution-caused rare disease. He appeals for funding to the government but the selfish politicians in the Health division rejects his proposals, fearing that the new technology may threaten their entrenched powers.
However, a sinister faction in the powerful military makes an offer to Dr. Azuma to provide the financial support he needs to further his research. When an incident occurs in the lab that sends the Professor's "neo-cell" cloning experiment haywire, a race of mutant human beings (Shinzo Ningen or Neo-Sapiens) is unleashed upon the world. Instead of being the savior of mankind, the Professor's miraculous technology looks set to threaten its very existence...
Desperate, the scientist exposes the dead body of his son, Tetsuya to the Neo-cell fluids. Tetsuya, now back from the dead with a new powerful body must become Casshern, to defend the GEF from the rogue "Neo-Sapiens" and their killer robots... (WHEW! I'm tired)
The premise of the film is the horror of war. It is basically a 140 minute anti-war movie. Casshern is a hard film to review, when I first saw it, it wasn't very clear what Tetsuya was fighting for. Now, I saw it for the 2nd time privy to this review, and I kind'a like its mythology. As with most anime, the film has its own share of philosophical storytelling; there are a lot of political, emotional, social, philosophical reasons for Tetsuya's struggle. He is very reluctant to fight again, being an ex-soldier. One might think that his goals are simple, that defending man's existence is his main goal. This is a Japanese film, so Tetsuya partly fights for something deep; Love.
There is a lot of content in Casshern. This fact may be good and bad. Perhaps I read too much between the lines, but its impact and message is too strong to ignore. The LAST thing this film is an action film. The film relies on provoking emotional responses from its characters; we see the horrors of war and what needs to be done to change it. The twist is; one MUST fight a war to effect such change.
Ok, I'm rambling. Casshern is a visual and aural feast for PS3/Xbox 360 fan boys. The visuals seem necessary to distract us from all the philosophy and the whole oedipal complex that is played heavily in the film. When Tetsuya starts smashing robots, with his one-on-one duels, the film takes a different tone. So, enough with the analysis! CASSHERN looks simply ASTOUNDING. The set designs, lurid cinematography and the CGI are all packaged in one cool film that is sure to be awe-inspiring. The top-notch eye-candy is sure to satisfy!
I own the region-3 release and I've seen the original region-2 Japanese release which both utilized the same impressive transfer. It is very likely that the U.S. release will look the same. I hope Amazon's specs are incorrect, the runtime amazon says is 80 minutes, the uncut film is 142 minutes.
VIDEO/AUDIO: ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN 2.40 RATIO. The picture is very nice and is intentionally enhanced to look almost like a `painting'. Colors are radiant, the contrast is sharp with very solid blacks. The Japanese 5.1 Dolby EX/6.1 DTS-ES is very powerful. English subs are excellent.
Parting thoughts:
Once you get over the fact that this is not an action film, viewers will appreciate the message that Casshern delivers. If you accept this film for what it is, you will be treated to an excellent piece of film-making. Casshern is definitely worth a watch, for CGI fans and even for those who aren't. This film takes its time setting things up so patience and attention is a must!
RECOMMENDED! (4 stars)
Movie Review: Beautiful, Epic, Ambitious. . . and Flawed Art house Sci-Fi
Summary: 4 Stars
Casshern is a tough movie to review. It's a big movie. A VERY big movie. To start, let's get into some of the tech specs on the DVD itself.
There's several versions out there floating around. The US 'Never Before Seen' Version is not good. It's 20 minutes shorter than the original and has some serious issues with the subtitles not even appearing on the screen, let alone being accurate when they do. It's listed as Uncut or The Director's Cut in some places. But it is neither. I'm not sure if the subtitle issue has subsequently been fixed. But it is a known problem, even appearing in the Wiki article.
The best region 1 version I've found is the Thai version. It has a great picture transfer, true surround, accurate and well-paced English subtitles, and lots of extras. Now, for the movie itself. . .
The first thing you'll notice is that Casshern is a lot of fun to look at-as long as CGI doesn't bother you. The environments are well-designed and the CGI look is much better than I would have expected on a budget much smaller than what US films get to play with. As well as CGI environments, there are portions of the film that are animated as well as stop-motion, or claymation, animation. But let me offer a warning: Those that have seen the trailer or are expecting a full-on action movie will be sorely disappointed.
The 'mano a mano' fight sequences are few and far between, and when they do pop up they aren't mind-blowing, wire-fu fests a la 'The Matrix'. They are actually slowly paced and play out more like something you'd see at a stage play. Most of the action is of the CGI variety, and the final battle is truly epic. But much of the film revolves around the morality tale on the nature of existence and other such philosophical tenets. The main characters struggle to find their place in the world and strive to make their relationships with those around them work.
The story takes place after a great war in a Japan that resembles a kind of neo-fascist, Final Fantasy-esque, overly industrialized society. Science is God, but politics stand in the way of progress. As is the tendency with asian films, plot details aren't spoon-fed to the audience. Character relationships and motivations often-times have to be ascertained by observing, even if it does tend to get a little frustrating at times.
While the story can get a bit stretched at times, it is enjoyable-and ultimately beautiful. The visuals are quite a treat. My biggest complaint is that it feels if the director may have bitten off more than he could chew. Sometimes it feels like the movie got away from him or that he tried to go a little bigger than budgets or technical constraints would allow.
That aside, this is definitely sci-fi art, not sci-fi action. Those looking for some live-action anime that is more story and character driven should enjoy this flick. Same goes for those that like their sci-fi not wrapped in fast-food tie-ins or toy sales. But if it's the next "Matrix" you're looking for (even if some reviewer says it's better than both Matrix sequels combined) you'd be better off skipping this one.
Movie Review: Visually stunning, but a bit too ambitious
Summary: 4 Stars
Japanese version of an apocalyptic thriller mixed with the fantasy of Lord of the Rings, the sci-fi of Terminator, and the literature of Frankenstein and 1984. Film it all through the Sin City lens and the result is one of the most bizarrely attractive and overreaching films possibly ever made.
Like most Japanese films, the concepts are too diverse and underdeveloped for my biased Western sensibilities. I admit it. That said, there is no debating the lack of cohesion in the multiple subplots in this film. It's all over the map. Which is the film's major flaw. Could be fantasy. Sci-fi. Epic. Biblical? Historical. Honestly, throw it into any genre and you can make a case for it.
The plot itself is a future rampant with mutation and humanity on its last leg. A scientist has harnessed a new technology called neo-cells from the purest humans left on earth. With these neo-cells he can cure disease, reanimate body parts, grow replacement parts, and possibly even cheat death. Underlying class-warfare and anti-war themes dominate the better portion of the movie, as neo-sapiens (the mutants created by the neo-cells), robots, humans, and those who are even more powerful battle in a stylized Japanese steampunk world for survival.
Easily the most impressive aspect of this ambitious film is the cinematography. Drawing from multiple disciplines and inspirations, there are stunning sequences that combine modern film techniques with animation as well as manga. Throw in magnificently diverse CGI, heavy video game influence, an art department trippin' on shrooms, and even a little claymation. The action reminded me of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. On crack.
Repeat viewings are probably required to absorb the rich story and appreciate the multiple subplots, but the bizarre cinematographic blend - similar to the risks taken in Spun - are a visual feast that might make it worthwhile. Maybe.
Jason Elin
Movie Review: Decent Film
Summary: 4 Stars
The action in this movie wasn't constant, but when there was action then it was pretty cool. Great effects for the flick. Good use of all the green screen. But to totally appreciate the movie you can't look away from the screen too much because you will miss the real meaning of what is going on. Not your average American movie where there is a clear bad guy and good guy. The one thing that kills me about Japanese movies/video games is the endings are too long and drawn out for no reason (but to some there might be a real good reason) Overall, if you are looking for your average martial arts flick look elsewhere. If you're looking for a Japanese anime brought to life then H E L L YEAH buy this.