The End of Evangelion. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This movie has been seen by hundreds of thousands of anime lovers, it has been written about on almost every Internet site out there and has worked its way into the printed press. Whether you love it, or hate it, you know all about The End of Evangelion. Is this movie the work of a genius, or is it the clever rambling of a man with mental instability?
I prefer the previous of the two. For those of you not in the know, The End of Evangelion is the final conclusion to the series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The first time I sat through it, I thought it was the most confusing, perplexing and twisting story every written… and I loved every moment of it. The story of a fourteen-year-old boy, unable to take control of his life, with the world in the palm of his hand. The ability to destroy and to create.
Gainax had always done an awesome job with the animation in Neon Genesis. The End of Evangelion is no different. Joined by Production I.G. and given a larger budget, Gainax has created some of the best sequences to ever grace the Eva legacy. Fans will applaud as Asuka fights, in full and fluid motion. Her sequences are probably the most complex of the entire movie, and are awe-inspiring to watch. Character animation is better than ever and lives up to current standards.
The real reason that Eva fans will love (or hate) this movie is in the story. The last few episodes of the series were only an indication, a primer of what to come. Hideaki Anno sends viewers through a twisting, turning passage of dialogue and sequences. This is not your average mecha anime; this is a story driven cinema masterpiece. There is no definite meaning to the last moments. Viewers are left to derive their own message and/or closure to the story. People who do not enjoy reading into the meanings of imagery can just sit back and take the simple explanation.
The music is a mix of standard Eva sound and Classical music. The “battle theme” of the series remains the same, with new songs chiming in. “Kimm, Susser, Todd” is the perfect song. The lyrics are sad and the music is happy sounding. It fits in perfectly with what is going on in the foreground. Beautiful music plays during the action sequence involving Asuka, two pieces of music actually. Bach’s “Air” is an excellent choice.
For diehard fans of the show, End of Evangelion is everything you ever wanted. For viewers who didn’t really enjoy the last half of the series, you’ll like the action but get bored near the end. If you liked the show at all I still highly recommend that you check out End of Evangelion.
Tags: neon genesis evangelion