The End of Evangelion review
[Note that this is also on another account on Deviant Art called JLCL01.]
If you are a newcomer to the Evangelion series, then I recommend watching the TV series first before watching this. Trust me, the movie will have more of an impact on you. So anyways, Evangelion may appear to be your typical giant robot anime where you have some character shouting “FORM BLAZING SWORD!” but that’s not the case. For this movie has both apocalyptic and psychological elements.
So with that, let me begin describing the story. Note that I will try my best not to put any spoilers when describing the plot.
Plot
After his best friend passed away, Shinji Ikari (our main protagonist) appears to have low self-esteem like there’s no tomorrow…literally. JSSDF (Japanese Strategic Self Defense Forces) is ordered to invade NERV HQ (where Shinji is). Following this is a mecha battle between Asuka Langley Soryu’s Eva Unit 02 against 9 mass produced Evas.
Later in the movie, there are psychological sequences that focus on Shinji’s thoughts and what he is thinking. He is given the chance to either live in a womb-like world where he feels safe or return to reality.
Music
This anime movie contains original music that has never appeared in the TV series (or they are just altered versions of songs from the series) and even containing classical music like Bach’s Air on G string (and you would be surprised where this piece plays) and Jesu joy of Man’s Desiring. The final piano piece that plays at almost at the end of the movie is calming yet somewhat disturbing if you are watching this for the first time, not knowing that this is going to be different than that Naruto or Pokemon movie you watched years before.
There’s also a song that plays in the middle of the movie that sound somewhat similar to “Hey Jude” by the Beatles except the lyrics are about committing suicide and other discomforting topics.
This video contains one of the pieces from the movie:
Animation
The animation is really amazing when you compare it to the first episode of the series and even the later episodes. This is true when watching the battle sequence between Eva Unit 02 and the Mass Production Units. The mouth animations may not be as animated but that’s not a biggie since most learn to deal with it.
History
After the airings of episode 25 and 26 around the year of 1996, some fans of the series sent hate mail and even death threats to Hedeaki Anno. About one year later, around July of 1997, End of Evangelion was shown in theaters.
the director/creator of the Evangelion series.
Many speculate that the movie is either an alternative ending to the series or it just shows what is going on during the last psychedelic episodes of the TV series.
Final thoughts
I liked watching this movie, commenting on moments that I thought where funny or just plain “WTF?!” (Most of it being funnyif you have seen the series or movie more than once or twice. AKA a fan). The movie is more for those who like to pretend to be in a Gentleman’s club where they have crumpets and tea (“Tally ho!”).
But on the serious side if you are expecting only action, then don’t watch this unless you like parts that make you think.
I, personally, recommend watching this. Heck, watch it with someone who’s opened to foreign films (ESPECIALLY ones that are animated since most animation is quote “only for kids” unquote). This is also good to show to others if they think all anime is is just “Muscular guys being constipated with yellow hair.” or “Some magical girl with really high skirts”. I liked this because of some of the characters and scenes where the characters are arguing about each other’s divergent minds.
So that’s my review of the End of Evangelion, My next review will be on the late 80′s animated movie, the Elm-Chanted Forest.
