Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Endymion no Kiseki

You know, this is my second time seeing this movie. The first time has got to have been over ten years ago since this came out in 2013. Now, before we were to go into the third season of both A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun, might as well tackle the movie that actually does cross path with both magic and science proper. Okay, that might sound like I am pushing it because it always has been with the series. I'm talking like how it generally crosses paths between magic and science.
The movie starts with the Spaceplane Orion ... crash landing without any reported casualties among eight-eight passengers who were on board regarding the incident as a miracle, according to the public. We cut to three years later as Academy City is nearing its completion of Endymion, a space elevator capable of bringing people into space without the need of spacecraft. Toma Kamijo and Index meet a singer performing on the streets named Arisa Meigo. Arisa is also a Level 0 esper like Toma. As the three are hanging out, Arisa gets a call from a studio that she'd passed an auction to be the campaign girl for Endymion. Later that night, they are suddenly attacked by three witches from the Church of England named Marie Spearhead, who can conjure water-based magic, Mallybath Blackbell, who can conjure earth-based magic, and Jane Elves, who can conjure wind-based magic. To Toma's surprise, Stiyl Magnus is leading them. To everyone's surprise, a private security organization called the Black Crow Unit, led by Shutaura Sequenzia, who is a Level 4 esper with an ability called "Earth Palette."" With that ability, Shutaura stores rare-earth elements and releases them as explosive elements.
As soon as Kaori Kanzaki assists Stiyl and the witches in order to retreat from the Black Crow Unit. Before leaving, Stiyl does give Toma a cryptic message, indicating that Arisa could bring a war between both sides of magic and science. Once the chaos is over, Shutaura warns Toma not to get involved with Arisa. Because Toma is a good boy, he takes Arisa in to stay until her performance. It turns out that Arisa is more than what she might be as she is suffering through memory loss three years ago. Later on, Toma sees Motoharu Tsuchimikado, explaining to him some interesting details that involve Arisa. Toma also explained about Endymion being a makeshift Tower of Babel, which could be turned into a magical device. Both the plot and the plot devices get complicated when you also have to throw in the CEO of Orbit Portal Company named Ladylee Tangleroad, who is actually more than what she is. I would explain them, but that would mean I'd spoil it all.
Again, the story is kinda complicated with what the plot devices have in store that some of the pacing had a couple of hiccups that actually made me wonder if there was a scene missing. This movie is an hour and a half, so it could be the case. To give the movie credit, the themes of miracles as a third force (beyond magic and science), the power of music/art to create miracles, and motivating ordinary lives in search of true happiness/miracles by song and connection is interesting for what they were going for. Even the animation used in this was spectacular with how Arisa's performance goes from on the streets to space within Endymion. There were magical elements surrounding it that make sense on what was explained if you've paid attention to the details of the movie's plot device. Although, I always question how that elevator is stable from the surface of Earth up to friggin' outer space. Eh, anime logic isn't always worth overthinking, I guess. There are also some parts that would make you question, but I digress. If anything, the best answer I can think of is magic.
Then you have various characters that you'll see aside the new additions like Mikoto Misaka, Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, Ruiko Saten, Komoe Tsukuyomi, Accelerator, Last Order, the Sisters, Mitsuko Kongo, the frog-faced doctor, and Aiho Yomikawa. Only a few of these get a couple of appearances while the others get their own screen time, which might be one of my cons of this movie. I know it's to keep the plot going with what they have planned as the movie goes into its climax. They're just more or less there like how Accelerator gets up saying, "Okay, I guess I have to do so if you'd be quiet," as Last Order was telling him. Arisa is an interesting character for what revolves around her, especially with the themes the movie explores. The three witches were just there. It has been a while since I've gotten into season three of A Certain Magical Index, but I won't be surprised if this movie is their only appearance. Ladylee is also interesting, yet her goal was something that I could shrug off and forget about. Shutaura is honestly rough to sit through sometimes. There is a reveal in the plot that does make you feel for her, yet with her attitude and denial, it's kinda hard to do so. For me, at least. If it did for you, I get it.
As for the voice acting, you have your usual cast, including newcomers like Sachika Misawa, Yoko Hikasa, Ayane Sakura, Risa Taneda, Megumi Han, and Asami Seto. I would also share the English cast, yet there was no English dubbed version on Crunchyroll. If there is one reason why, it would have to be a licensing issue like it might've been the second season of both A Certain Magical index and A Certain Scientific Railgun. If you want to find the English dub, you'd either pirate it or purchase the Blu-ray DVD to give that a watch. The voice cast is still great for what they deliver, yet this is gonna ruffle up some feathers, but at this point, the humor within the To Aru franchise is kinda drying up for me. A couple of times when the humor hits involving Toma's bad luck, yet I couldn't get a chuckle out of it. What kept going besides the performance from Arisa was the action. Making this nearly action-packed as the "war" between magic and science is encouraging.
Yeah, some of these parts, including the third act, was something that I had not remembered, yet rightfully so because I was kinda blown in an awkward stance. Yes, this movie is rough in some areas, yet this movie is just okay for what it delivered with the intended concept and the themes of the character who is like the center of attention. Staged to be a miracle, if you ask me. Not perfect. Not terrible. Just okay. I am gonna give the Miracle of Endymion seven Arisa performing for the crowd in space out of ten. 7/10.

Quick take: the miracle is that I made it all the way through.

I actually really like the premise and enjoyed watching it. However, the pacing issues that have been present in every other Raildex installation is present here as well. I don't know what it is, but the movie feels about 20 minutes longer than it needs to be. What ends up happening is that my concentration is broken and I'm distracted, meaning I either need to rewind or fill in the missing pieces in my head. Like I said, It's a shame, because I otherwise enjoy the plot.

Art is on par with the rest ... of the series but sound suffers. "A Miraculous Song" is painful to sit through (English). It is better in Japanese, which begs the question why they bothered to translate it at all.

Characters are good for the most part. There is no growth depth in most of the characters and the ones that do experience change are "meh" at best.

Overall, this movie proved difficult to sit through. You won't miss anything important if you opt to skip it however, if you liked the rest of the Raildex universe, you'll enjoy this movie in, at least, some capacity.

This felt less like watching a movie, and more like watching an eclectic collection of individual character moments and action scenes.

The plot was all over the place and made very little sense. The motivations for the different characters and factions was confusing and paper thin.

It seems to me that they were attempting too hard to give all of the iconic Index/Railgun characters some screen time and a cool action sequence or two, instead of crafting a cohesive story.

There were two redeeming points to this movie. The first would be the likeable and cute heroine, Arisa, who had good chemistry with Index and Touma. The second ... would be the animation, art, and sound quality which were all really nice. Lots of vibrant colours, smooth and fluid animation in the action scenes so that was nice to watch, and some enjoyable songs.

If you're a fan of the series you might enjoy this movie just to see your favourite characters get some more screen time, but watch at your own risk because the plot leaves a lot to be desired.
If you've never watched Index or Railgun before then skip this movie, it's not a good way to get into the franchise.

It's rare for a movie to make me start watching it at 1.5 speed half way through so I can finish it sooner, and unheard of for that to happen for one of my favourite franchises, and yet here we are.

Pros:
-likeable heroine
-great animation, art and sound (the animation quality is literally the only reason I'm not scoring this lower than a 4 overall)

Cons:
-nonsense patch-work plot
-flimsy antagonist AND protagonist motivations
-so many plot holes