WARNING!!! I am going to discuss the ending of the series as I feel it is crucial to providing context to the events of the film. Although I will not spoil the film itself.
The final instalment of the now notorious Evangelion saga goes way to overboard...
Firstly I just wanted to make this clear, I loved the series and quite controversially it's original ending. I loved the slight ambiguity of it though not so much it's build up of 3 episodes breaking down each characters Psyche in order to explore there place in the world and the reasons for their behaviour-that grated a bit on my patience. but that final overcoming of Shinji's depression was a truly mesmerising and heartwarming scene seeing everybody cheering and congratulating his decision, even his Father. The film takes the events of those 3 episodes and accounts the ending literally instead of in Shinji's psyche and it still manages to be five times as pretentious.
It's like a 1st year film student has gone mad with symbolism and imagery. With crosses, Halos, angels and foetuses flying into your face unashamedly throughout the entire course of the film. It's silly and childish even in comparison to the series, and that had a scene where Shinji Shows his genitals to a penguin. Saying that, Anno's heavy use of visual metaphors does create an incredible spectacle. I am tempted to recommend this film just for the visuals alone. The use of vibrant colour and the top quality animation make this some of the most gorgeous eye candy. But that's the problem, this film creates so much style and substance that it ends conveying barely anything to the spectator, the substance ends up so convoluted and in your face that it cannot be taken seriously.
And don't get me started on Shinji in this film. In the series he was a self proclaimed coward but crucially had good reason for being angsty due to the massive amount of pressure put on him and the amount of loss and betrayal he had suffered. And I was sympathetic towards his character. Those of you who thought Shinji in the series was an annoying, whiny little girl (I know there are plenty of you out there) you will definitely want to give this a miss. Shinji literally huddles in a corner and cries for half his screen time... That is not even an overstatement... He has to be physically dragged to his EVA and even then just sits in it and cries. I know he has suffered an unbearable amount yet there are better ways of showing a characters descent into depression Anno.
In summary, this film is like a whining baby wearing Polka dots and glitter waving glow sticks. But a good whining baby wearing Polka dots and glitter waving glow sticks. If you find the film to pretentious just disengage your brain and admire the gorgeous production. That is what I did. It fails what it intends to achieve but still remains entertaining enough to sit through.
Positive: Inspired use of sound/soundtrack, Jaw dropping visuals, oh I forgot to mention well executed and downright awesome EVA battles, Basically every bit of production
Negative: Pseudo psychological and religious symbolism delivered far too heavy handedly, Unlikable protagonist, Fails to convey anything of substance even though that's what the film sets out to achieve, The film itself is pointless the ending of the series was sufficient enough
P.S. How does Tokyo get rebuilt so quickly after every single EVA/Angel battle???
The final instalment of the now notorious Evangelion saga goes way to overboard...
Firstly I just wanted to make this clear, I loved the series and quite controversially it's original ending. I loved the slight ambiguity of it though not so much it's build up of 3 episodes breaking down each characters Psyche in order to explore there place in the world and the reasons for their behaviour-that grated a bit on my patience. but that final overcoming of Shinji's depression was a truly mesmerising and heartwarming scene seeing everybody cheering and congratulating his decision, even his Father. The film takes the events of those 3 episodes and accounts the ending literally instead of in Shinji's psyche and it still manages to be five times as pretentious.
It's like a 1st year film student has gone mad with symbolism and imagery. With crosses, Halos, angels and foetuses flying into your face unashamedly throughout the entire course of the film. It's silly and childish even in comparison to the series, and that had a scene where Shinji Shows his genitals to a penguin. Saying that, Anno's heavy use of visual metaphors does create an incredible spectacle. I am tempted to recommend this film just for the visuals alone. The use of vibrant colour and the top quality animation make this some of the most gorgeous eye candy. But that's the problem, this film creates so much style and substance that it ends conveying barely anything to the spectator, the substance ends up so convoluted and in your face that it cannot be taken seriously.
And don't get me started on Shinji in this film. In the series he was a self proclaimed coward but crucially had good reason for being angsty due to the massive amount of pressure put on him and the amount of loss and betrayal he had suffered. And I was sympathetic towards his character. Those of you who thought Shinji in the series was an annoying, whiny little girl (I know there are plenty of you out there) you will definitely want to give this a miss. Shinji literally huddles in a corner and cries for half his screen time... That is not even an overstatement... He has to be physically dragged to his EVA and even then just sits in it and cries. I know he has suffered an unbearable amount yet there are better ways of showing a characters descent into depression Anno.
In summary, this film is like a whining baby wearing Polka dots and glitter waving glow sticks. But a good whining baby wearing Polka dots and glitter waving glow sticks. If you find the film to pretentious just disengage your brain and admire the gorgeous production. That is what I did. It fails what it intends to achieve but still remains entertaining enough to sit through.
Positive: Inspired use of sound/soundtrack, Jaw dropping visuals, oh I forgot to mention well executed and downright awesome EVA battles, Basically every bit of production
Negative: Pseudo psychological and religious symbolism delivered far too heavy handedly, Unlikable protagonist, Fails to convey anything of substance even though that's what the film sets out to achieve, The film itself is pointless the ending of the series was sufficient enough
P.S. How does Tokyo get rebuilt so quickly after every single EVA/Angel battle???