Eric's Grade C+
This is the third of four animated films in the 'Rebuild of Evangelion' series based on the original anime 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. This continues the tale primarily of young Shinji Ikari and a handful of others who pilot giant mechs known as Evangelions designed to destroy entities known as "Angels" that are capable of bringing about worldwide cataclysms. The second film ends with Shinji's Eva going through a bizarre metamorphosis which involves him, his Eva, another Eva pilot named Rei and an Angel. When the credits role on that I will admit I was not quite sure where things stood, and this film doesn't necessarily concern itself with answers. This launches us 14 years into the future, and the Third Impact, one of the aforementioned worldwide cataclysms, has occurred. At the end of the last film Shinji winds up in some kind of coma/stasis and is now awoken into this bizarre new reality and he is attempting to catch up at about the same rate we are. Former friends are now foes, and he is treated like a dangerous entity with no real explanation given. Before all is said and done he will find himself in the cockpit of another Eva working with another pilot, and this may lead to some sort of salvation or yet the next Impact in the continuing destruction/rebirth of the world.
To say these animated films are confusing is a tad of an understatement. It is not that they are without narrative structure, but it is more like we are tossed into the middle of an event and we don't really understand the players, rules or terminology in this game that seems to hold the fate of the entire world in the balance. Part of me is very interested and excited in the characters, the animation and the overall aesthetic, but I do wish the material was more accessible or understandable. The film wins praise from me for having a clear ideal and great visuals, but loses points for an unwillingness or inability to clearly demonstrate its narrative to the audience.
To say these animated films are confusing is a tad of an understatement. It is not that they are without narrative structure, but it is more like we are tossed into the middle of an event and we don't really understand the players, rules or terminology in this game that seems to hold the fate of the entire world in the balance. Part of me is very interested and excited in the characters, the animation and the overall aesthetic, but I do wish the material was more accessible or understandable. The film wins praise from me for having a clear ideal and great visuals, but loses points for an unwillingness or inability to clearly demonstrate its narrative to the audience.