What? Let me say it again: What?

I have watched Casshern a few times, and while it is enjoyable, I cannot say with anything close to certainty that I know what happened. That said, it is a highly entertaining ride which, if you take everything at face value, will definitely fit the bill if you are looking for a gorgeous journey into the beyond.

That said, I have to assume that the film would have made more sense had we gotten the original cut. You see, like many films of Asian origin, this Japanese creation was chopped up and had some of its scenes re-ordered while a good 24 minutes worth of footage was left on the editing room floor. Why do things like this happen? I have no idea. I get the feeling that whenever a film comes across the ocean, the US based distributor assumes that they need to put their own stamp on it, even if it sacrifices the original to the digital gods. Unfortunately, I have not seen the original version to make any worthwhile comparison.

As the film opens, it is the end of a long war between the Asian territories and Europa. Europa had sent a horde of robots after the Asian territory, but were ultimately defeated. This left a demolished but victorious Asia cheering their fortune, but still battling leftover terrorist groups for control of outlying areas such as Zone Seven, which plays prominently in the film.

Meanwhile, Dr. Azuma is working on a project to extend life through the use of a newly discovered cell type called a Neo-Cell. As he works on his project, his son, Tetsuya, a bright college-age student with a bright future, leaves his family and girlfriend, Luna, behind to go fight in the war. It is an act that Azuma believes to be out of spite due to the falling out the two have.

Azuma continues his experiments as we are treated to gritty and washed out scenes of the war zone Tetsuya is in. Before long Azuma's experiments bring about some success in the form of a vat filled with grown limbs. Coinciding with this moment is the death of Tetsuya, who is brought back home for burial. Now here is where things start to get strange.

Lightning strikes the research compound  and activates the limbs, which come together to form mutants which rise out of the liquid and rush out into the night. Azuma then has the bright idea to put his son in the liquid, and so, Casshern is born.

What follows is a war between Azuma's superiors, the terrorists, and the mutants. You see, the mutants have dubbed themselves Neo-Sapiens and have charged themselves with the goal of wiping out humanity. The only thing between them and their goals is Tetsuya/Casshern.

That is the big picture; any more and I will only confuse you and myself as I try to sort through everything that the film is trying to say. I may be thinking there is more to it than there really is. To get everything out of it almost requires multiple viewings as well as a search for the full, uncut version.