|
CASSHERN
DVD Review by David Blackwell
DETAILS: 117 minutes, previews
VIDEO: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
AUDIO: Japanese 5.1, 2.0 Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English
STUDIO: Dreamworks Pictures/ Shochiku
RELEASE DATE: 10-16-2007
CASSHERN is a great Japanese sci-fi film. It has plenty of great visuals, ethical issues, and a message about war (and peace).
It is a timeless work where the issues will never go away until we decide not to hate anymore. You have ethnic cleasing
of people who are the original humans by the greedy majority who want to live longer. Then you have the doctor who is into
resaerch of Neo cells in an attempt to save his wife's sight. Instead a freak lightning from outer space creates a new race
of humans. The doctor brings his dead son back to life. This same son has been killed in the senseless war following a
long and bloody 50 Year War involving human soldiers and robot armies. His son wants to be dead despite his love for Luna.
He sets off with his new strength and powers after having a suit to contain his power is made for him. He sets out to rescue
his mother while the Neo Humans wnat to destroy humankind. The leader of the Neo Humans uses the abandonded robot armies
to do his dirty work.
I wish the DVD had some extras besides trailers for other releases from Dreamworks and Paramount. Also it should be noted
the uncut version of CASSHERN is 142 minutes long. The 117 minute cut presented here is an edited version. Many viewers
who have seen the longer version say the edited version has lost of the spiritual and emotional depth found in the uncut version.
It would have been nice to have the longer cut available and a few extras (trailers, featurettes, an English dubbed track
for those who hate subtitles- I don't mind subtitles). Despite seeing CASSHERN in an edited form, it is still better than
many of the sci-fi films out today. CASSHERN has action, CGI like you have never seen before, and character development.
I hope the uncut version does see the light of day soon.
this DVD review is (c)11-6-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
look for additional content at http://enterline-media.tripod.com and http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com
|
