I first picked this up on the strength that A) the cover looked cool and B) & C) the promise that it featured both mutants and robots. I expected little for the six quid I paid while it was on offer in HMV’s World Cinema sale.

Burai looks on

Casshern is a grossly underrated and stylistic 2004 Sci-Fi film. In places it is visually superb, and at times slightly cartoony, which actually fits with the fairytale setting and characters. The CGI works because much of the visual flair won’t have been seen by a western audience – amazing considering this film had a six million dollar budget. Scenes drip atmosphere and the film boasts a massive colour palette. Characters are varied if not terribly fleshed out. The story could have been more original from the outset, it’s sort of a Frankenstein on steroids and with robots, but it comes into its own later on, asking the audience big questions. Where Casshern really shines however is in its action sequences. There are several throughout the film, and each very different. The grainy fight between Barashin and Tetsuya in the village and the large-scale final battle are good examples.

Sagurê strikes

My major problem with Casshern is its long running time at 142 minutes. While the first 20 minutes/half an hour breeze by with me in awe of the film’s unique beauty, it did start to feel like a sensory overload by the time of the final battle.

Casshern's robots

My favourite scene occurs about a third/halfway into the movie when Tetsuya fights with Burai the mutant leader and kicks some metal arse in the process. This whole scene would make an awesome music video (it is even set to a heavy guitar backing tune).

the Barashin and Tetsuya fight

Casshern is not a perfect film, but it has enough visual flair and new ideas to become a firm favourite. Give it a go!

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