Akira Terao, Fumiyo Kohinata, Hidetoshi Nishijima

It is late in the 21st century. After 50 years of devastating war between Europa and the Eastern Federation, the latter has emerged victorious, and the new federation of Eurasia is formed. There can b...( read more  read more... )e no glorious peace, however, as the planet has been ravaged by chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons and the entire human race is dispirited and exhausted by half a century of war. A genetic scientist named Dr. Azuma brings hope in the form of a "neo-cell," which can rejuvenate human parts with no risk of rejection. But nature interferes with science to create a new kind of menace that forces the entire human race to fight an ultimate war against its own extinction.

Flixster Users

71% liked it

16,490 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 2 hrs. 21 min.

Directed by: Kazuaki Kiriya

Release Date: May 15, 2004

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DVD Release Date: October 16, 2007

Stats: 1,715 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,715)


  • April 26, 2009
    Memo to the director. Maybe spend some time on the script BEFORE locking yourself in the art department. Very pretty and very hollow.

    ....this advice is also applicable to Tim Burton.
  • June 23, 2008
    Wild visual orgy of SFX, cinematography and set design. Dreamwork's hack job on the editing however is unforgivable removing nearly 30 minutes of footage which causes alot of confusion in places, especially the ending.

    The hunt for an import version is currently under way.
  • March 2, 2008
    Nice effects.
  • December 11, 2007
    After a short time into watching this film it became apparent that I had to think of it in pure entertainment terms. The film thinks it's a lot smarter and meaningful than it comes off as which in turn makes it seem pointless and empty. But looking at it from the entertain...( read more)ment angle it makes for a pretty enjoyable time albeit one that leaves an almost transparent impact.

    Like I said the problem this film has is that it thinks it's a lot better than it is. It attempts to be impactful and meaningful in terms of having something to get your teeth into. But what it is an entertainment film with little of whatever else it thinks it has or is. I don't hold something being just pure enjoyable and nothing else against a film if that's what it both is and attempts to be. I do however hold it against a film when it tries to be more than it is.

    The second problem with the film is the muddled, confusing and badly handled storyline. I literally could not sum up what happens in this film or necessarily what it's about. It would be more of a list of random things I remember being part of the plot. There was some good ground work and basic plot that the film had but it just seemed to handle it in completely the wrong way resulting in a fairly incoherent film.

    And the third problem, and probably my main one, is the length. Coming in at just under two and half hours the film is just needlessly long. There were several points where I was thinking that it was going to end and it just kept going and going until it reached it's almost 150 minutes, at a time when my patience was left far behind.

    Having said that I did quite enjoy Casshern. It was once I thought of it in entertainment terms rather than it being something deep and meaningful that my enjoyment level started to climb. There is some pretty engaging fight sequences and the visuals are virtually what makes the film.

    So for all it's wrong doing Casshern is still a worth while film to give a try. It doesn't make much sense and it's far too long but it has enough there to keep you watching till the end.
  • October 23, 2007
    Omega level eye candy, with a wicked slick stew of plot rip offs that just seem to work well together.
  • November 6, 2009
    An absolutely stunning distopian future that cuts straight to the core of social disfunction and the less than apparent (but superficial) conflict between social conscience and personal happiness. This film falls just short of a perfect masterpiece, due to the unfinished feel of...( read more) some of the computer effects (although, the effects are largely amazing, especially considering the budget - but as every scene relies heavily on CGI, as did the less profound popcorn flick 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow). The characters are all exceptionally wel fleshed out, with a very worthwhile prolonged introduction to the film and superb use of plot devices such as flashbacks, dream sequences and alternate views of the same event or conversation. And, the cinematography is absolutely stunning! Words cannot describe the beauty Kiriya has achieved for this film. Very highly recommended. It's very difficult to believe that this film is the live action reimagining of the 1973 children's cartoon - if only Hollywood bestowed such depth upon some of its latest attempts at the same thing!
  • October 17, 2009
    best movie ever... great effects, the scenography out of this world, awesome characters and a storyline that is extremely unique integrated with an imagination that is beyond everything...

    5 solid stars to this "perfect" piece!... 100% recommended

    ps: most people prefer Hollyw...( read more)ood explosions with great sfx to consider if a movies is good or not but this is a really a different movie compared to all !
  • October 12, 2009
    Not really my kind of movie. I didn't find it interesting.
  • October 3, 2009
    Cyberpunk? Dystopian future? If so, count me in. ^^
  • September 27, 2009
    Korean mutants dressed up as The Chemical Romance performs mutiny. Or give long speeches about absolutely nothing.
    The most weird movie experience I've had for ages.

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • chibimina7
    June 18, 2008
    while i was at the a video rental store, the cover of this DVD caught my eye. the metal head gear looked pretty awesome. i read the summary in the back & i thought the story was pretty cool. i wanna watch it.
  • Johnrschwartz
    June 11, 2008
    This film is based off of a 70's anime.
  • fred60
    October 31, 2006
    I have a skin for this film. If anyone would like to have it just click on my pic and go to my skins!
  • scottmcgills
    June 13, 2006
    incredibly well done. this is more than a movie. its a work of art. and a great one at that!

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