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I reviewed the film here, and I pretty much agree with Danson's take. It took me a bit to get into the first half, and even though I liked it, I was wondering whether the project really needed to exist. But, I got more into the film as it went on, and the second half just flew by. I particularly love the subversion of emotional expectations when Shinji succeeds in defeating the Angel, but it doesn't matter at all, he's only spiraling deeper into depression.
The major thing missing is definitely that feeling of everyday life, and time passing. As much as I found the school scenes annoying and frequently nonsensical in the original series, I think they grounded the characters in a more relatable place. At first, I was confused about why these fourteen year old kids were piloting Evas and going to a regular school, but once we learn that all the kids in the school are potential Eva pilots, it makes a lot more sense. It's the illusion of normality.
I don't think this will supplant the series, but it's an interesting supplement, and I'm curious to see how Kaworu fits into the second movie, as well as how they present Asuka this time. She was always my favorite character, and her entrance into the series really cemented the characters. I liked the mood and feel of the first few episodes, but Asuka made understand the characters.
And, much as I might criticize elements of the film, Anno is doing something totally different from any other filmmaker out there. His ability to show the subjective experience of his characters, particularly Shinji in this film, is unparalleled. We're in their heads, experiencing all the emotional contradictions that real people feel. Movies are all about connecting external achievements to the resolution of internal issues, but that's not exactly how it is in real life. Shinji can stop the Angel, but that only makes him feel worse since it proves that the only reason people love him is because he pilots Eva. Can they ever love him just for who he is? I guess that depends on which ending of the series you consider the true one. |
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