Ranked #158

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion

After watching the final episodes of the original Evangelion series, I was really baffled. What happened? I understood that it all took place in Shinji's mind, but that's about it. Where was the ending? What really happened?

Those answers are provided by End of Evangelion. We get an alternate retelling of the two last episodes, outside Shinji's mind. From the awakening of Lilith to the result of the Instrumentality, we get to see it all. Of course, there's a lot of moments which are confusing (this is Evangelion, after all), but you kinda get a better understanding of everything that happened. Oh, and for the sake of your well-being, remember that the age rating *is* 17+. There are some really gross scenes in this movie (but that's all I can tell you without spoiling too much).

Also, kudos to the animation in this one. I've always enjoyed Evangelion's animation, everything's just really neat, and incredibly flawless, and it stands off as good even today. The same goes for End of Evangelion. Nice animation, and I really like the effects appearing when the Eva series are invoking the Third Impact. I was a bit surprised that they suddenly decided put in real-life clips. For what reason they did it, I don't know, but for me, it certainly had its positive effects.

One thing I've also always enjoyed about Evangelion (it's a lot), is the music. Music often portrays the mood very well, so much that you can often only by listening to the song get a picture of the current mood. However, the music they use in Evangelion often goes the opposite way and make a great contrast to the events unfolding. This, however, only strengthens the mood more than any song portraying the mood in a normal way would do. Not to mention that the songs they used in End of Evangelion are great as stand-alone music as well.

Evangelion is a psychological anime, and the characters are and behave thusly. They're all traumatized, or have some kind of emotional problems going on. The original series portrayed the characters and their problems very well, and the movie did that as well. I feel that they are real human beings, and I end up sympathizing with them. They have deep emotional struggles, and you're nearly dragged into them.

Shortly summarized, the movie was very much like the original series, at the same time also explaining many things the original series didn't. If you've watched the original series, you should definitely watch this, because it's *at least* equally good.

To 'Not Helpful' voters (and you 'Helpful' voters too): Feedback greatly appreciated =) read more

End of Evangelion is a two-hour movie that consists of two hour-long episodes (Episodes 25 and 26) that was released on July 19th, 1997, has been licensed Stateside by Manga Entertainment, and was originally released over here on September 24th, 2002. Episode 25 incorporates and expands upon footage from the Rebirth segment from the Death and Rebirth movie (released on March 15th of that same year), and is based off the original script for Episode 25. It was produced by Production IG (famous for their work on the Ghost in the Shell series and xxxHOLIC) and Gainax (famous for their work on His and Her Circumstances and FLCL), and directed by Hideaki Anno (famous for his work on the original Gunbuster OVA and His and Her Circumstances). It won the Animage Grand Prix prize in 1997, and also won a Japanese Academy Award.

So. End of Evangelion.

This movie is billed as Episodes 25 and 26, and honestly, I can believe that this is the way that Hideaki Anno MEANT for Evangelion to go out, but was originally unable to do because of production funding falling out, Anno's mental breakdown, and not being able to meet the schedule. It is, at the same time, a broader view of what was actually going ON in the original Episodes 25 and 26, I think, as this focuses on both the psychological and physical action around what was happening.

There are some fairly epic fight scenes in here, a full explanation behind all the mysteries that the show left untouched, along with a fair amount of Shinji's cracky therapy session of Episodes 25 and 26. This feels a lot more satisfying than the original ending for the series, though the original ending was fairly passable in my mind.

WARNING: There are fairly graphic sexual images, violence, and gore in here. Those who are squeamish should probably not watch this.

The art definitely takes a step up from the series as a whole, especially the end of the series. It's a lot smoother, and the pastiche between animation and live-action that takes place at one point, though it will leave you feeling like it's made of crack, is absolutely amazing. The Judeo-Christian symbolism is back with a vengeance as well.

The music's fairly neat, too, as it uses a lot of fairly famous classical music, and a pop update of another fairly famous classical song, and it usually ties in with some of the most amazing moments in the film.

All the VAs return as well, which helps with continuity with the series.

Overall? Definitely worth the watch, and probably the best part of the Evangelion canon that's been released thus far. read more

Story:

Since Neon Genesis Evangelion has become standard affair for any anime fan looking to get into serious anime, I don't have to explain the story. But, it is necessary to point out the improvement of this conclusion in comparison to the series. Episode 24 ended epically and I'm sure that all the viewers expected no less from the last two episodes, but most were disappointed with the result. What the viewers were treated with was an in depth character analysis laced with reused images and even dialogue. While I actually enjoyed this interpretation of actions and emotions (I felt it fit with the direction the series was moving in toward the end) many were outraged (especially since the main reason for it was because Gainax used up all the funds for the show). After squandering enough funds, the original creator, Hideaki Anno, decided to create a true ending to his ode to otakus. Thus, End of Evangelion was created.

Alright, now that the back story is taken care of, I can move onto the actual story. EoE is epic in its own right. It begins with a full force invasion, an awesome fight between Asuka (one of my favorite anime fight scene), and the termination of almost everyone. Then it cools down for another depressing character analysis of Shinji, some weird live action moments, and screaming (yes screaming). When it is finally resolved you will either be completely confused or blown out of your seat (most likely both). So all in all, it is a great conclusion to a revolutionary series. If anything, it will make you think, which is always a good thing.

Art:

The artwork and animation were amazing when it first came out and it still are. I can't believe that this movie came out in 1997. It's little over ten years old and it still compares to a lot of shows that are coming out this new year. This would be a sure ten if it wasn't for the awkward live action scenes. I understand that they were mostly scenes from a live action sequence in which it shows a future NGE world that did not have Shinji, but just because the effort was put in to make does not mean that it should of been featured. It came off as lazy to me.

Sound:

The music is spectacular. From the originals to the classical songs, the music really complemented each scene. The piano version of Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude (I'm not sure if that is correct in any way) by Bach is beautiful and also perfectly fitting. In fact I am listening to it right now to get in the mood for this review. Shiro Sagisu really hit it with this soundtrack (everyone should check it out even if you do not plan on watching the movie).

Character:

Everyone is back from the series in one form or another (well mostly everyone) and they all act as expected of them. Shinji is as angsty as ever at one point choosing to sit and die, forcing Misato to drag him out of harms way (while Misato is bad ass in this movie). To really go into depth on the characters I am afraid that I would have to give away too many spoilers so if you really need to know how they are, refer to the first sentence of this section (and you should know the characters by now because you have seen the series, right? and if you have not then DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!).

Enjoyment:

Now this is the hardest section to judge because it is completely based on one's opinion (which usually defeats the purpose of most reviews because you want to judge the product on quality alone and not personal feelings, but I guess all judgments are relative to the reviewer). I thoroughly enjoyed most of the movie and there should be an emphasis on MOST. No matter how much I liked a lot of the parts, I could not ignore all of the awkward moments laced throughout the movie (hospital scene anyone) and the live action scenes just got on my nerves.

So, in the end you should watch this movie if you are a fan of the show. You will appreciate the fact that it is a conclusion, but it also brings up some questions of its own which might annoy some. It is visually stunning for any time period but is absolutely outstanding for being ten years old. The soundtrack is a great listen, featured with both new and classic music. It holds true to the series and it should not disappoint. read more

The End of Evangelion provides what is often called a "more externally-focused" ending to the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. If viewers weren't sure whether the original "internally-focused" ending was to the producers' liking, that EoE is structured like the series and broken into Episodes 25 and 26 should clear things up. This is the real End of Evangelion. Whereas the original final episodes showed what was happening in Shinji's mind and enabled us to construct answers pertaining to the Human Instrumentality Project and final psychological state of the characters, EoE gives us so much more. But while crucial questions such as the origin of the angels and the motive behind Seele's plans are revealed, EoE stays true to the Evangelion series' approach of leaving things open to interpretation.

EoE has absolutely stunning animation and keeps the series' stand-out voice cast and enjoyable soundtrack. The storyline itself is a trip and much of the movie (especially towards the end) is done in a post-modern style which requires a lot of interpretation and will have viewers arguing for hours. Some scenes are grotesque, most are simply absurd. Watching one Eva eat another is nothing new to fans of the series, but it is pretty shocking to see the pilot's arm ripped in half, and there is something unnerving about watching an anime character masturbate on another if its not in hentai.

Religious symbolism is prevalent, but intriguingly the symbols typically represent nothing at all. There are also some incredible lines: an indescribable feeling of fear, anguish, and genuine shock overcame me when I heard Seele's ultimate motive for reducing all beings to LCL. If you have issues of existential despair, you may want to pass on EoE or you might go crazy. Finally, the ending with Shinji and Asuka is telling in many ways, delivering the message of Evangelion in a neat 2-minute scene.

Like the series, End of Evangelion is an interesting project. Different viewers will react very differently: some will find an immediate connection to the despair of the characters and will find great meaning in a collection of seemingly unrelated scenes; others will find the show so pretentious that they will make their disapproval known to anyone that will listen. I think that following the Evangelion series I was more in the latter camp. Having seen the movie, I still find the Evangelion project pretentious, but I understand what the goal was. Some viewers will walk away having been truly impacted by the film's message, and for this EoE is deemed one of the greatest in anime. EoE, like the Evangelion series, is one of those few works for which even a semblance of an objective evaluation simply cannot be given. At the very least, I've given you my opinion.

Overall Rating: A

For snapshots and a high quality download, see my blog at http://animefiend.blogspot.com read more

After watching the final two episodes of the TV series, I couldn't help but feel a bit short-changed. Where was the action-packed finale I had hoped for? Most of all where was the result of the Human Instrumentality Project, it was all a bit too ambiguous and all played out within Shinji's mind - quite simply I didn't get it. Anno's attempt at a clever and deeply meaningful ending frankly falls short of its goal and leaves us frustrated (at least me anyhow).

Enter "End of Evangelion", where we get to see a retelling of the last two episodes in the real world. This is the action-packed finale we were owed, and, more to it, each of the characters got their rightful airtime. Although one could argue it was all about Shinji from the beginning, you can't neglect how we grew to feel about the other characters i.e. Asuka, Rei, Misato, Ritsuko and even Gendo. I was glad to be able to get some resolution to the storyline, satisfying both my desire for action and need for emotional closure (well at least depending on how you interpret the final scene). Also this film presented awe-inspiring animated sequences from the battle with the mass-produced Evas to the fulfilment of the Instrumentality Project (with a spectacularly bizarre sequence involving Rei and Lilith).

Another thing I liked about this film were the scenes with Shinji and company playing J.S. Bach - which worked well with the movie and really suited the mood, and because I like Bach ^_^.

I can't really think of much else to say without spoiling the film for you. All I can really say is don't watch the first film "Death and Rebirth", because the first half is just footage from the series re-edited to tell the story in 45 minutes or so, the second half is basically the first half of "End of Evangelion". So save yourself the time and just watch this one (unless you really want to watch them both :P).

Angus read more

It's going to be very hard to review this movie because its basically a work of art. The first half of the movie provides all the action and big events that Eva fans would want in the movie, but its really the second act that is the most important part. The second half is an astonishing piece of filmmaking that essentially challenges common filmmaking and boldly dares to ask questions most filmakers wouldn't dare going to.

Most of the following won't make sense if you have no knowledge of Eva. The entire second half of the movie takes place within Shinji's mind as the third impact is happening. As he is in a state of introspect, reminesing about the wrongs people have done to him and the loneliness and isolation he has in life, it develops not only his character, but the characters of everybody in his mind. Misato, Asuka, Rei, and Kaoru all gain great depth as they converse with Shinji in his mind and at least in the beginning, fail to convince him to stop the third impact.

It is after the third impact has happened however, that this masterpiece really stays with you. Shinji realizes what he has done and comes to realize truths within himself he couldnt understand with others around him. It is finally Rei/Yui that makes him come to terms with his existance and the value he gives to everybody around him. The film for the most part ends with Shinji undoing the third impact, after realizing he wants to see everybody again because the happy memories he has, no matter how few, are real.

It is in this chaos and often confusion of Shinji's and everybody's minds that director Hideaki Anno raises questions about the nature of humanity's existance and whether life is worth living, even in all the pain everyone and everything around us brings us. The answer is ultimately yes, but it is the process to getting to that answer that makes this film a masterpiece.

I'm not going to try to convince anybody who already isn't an Eva fan that this film will change your mind about the series, because it won't. But the truth of the matter is that this film is a masterpiece in not only anime, but in animation and filmmaking in general. It is not afraid to ask some of the most philisophical questions we can ask ourselves as people and is not afraid to have us, the viewer, realize the answers even as the characters on screen attempt to do the same. If you are going to see this movie, watch the 26 episode show first, or you'll have no idea what is going on. End of Evangelion is one of the most artistic and beautiful movies I have ever seen, animated or not, and is a mandatory movie to watch I believe for anybody who considers themselves a fan of anime or film in general. read more

Short and Sweet Review:

If you have finished the Evengelion series, you know damn well the last episodes are as amusing as watching paint dry, well this "Alternative Ending" is the best thing that can happen to the series in my outlook, plus the finale (Which I wont reveal) will leave you banging your head for more! Although I gave Evengelion a 9/10, this OVA definately deserves a 10, there is no superior way to conclude a series than a giant fight, with plot holes being filled, and making the viewer think about the OVA after he watches it.

I believe even if you didn't like the Evengelion series, this OVA will alter your view.

If you did in fact find this review helpful, I do take value in my “Helpful” rating, so please take a moment of your time to tell me how you liked this review. read more

As a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, I can say from an objective point of view that the series does have flaws. Multiple times throughout the series, I found myself dissapointed that things could have been greatly improved upon to make the series perfect. Unfortunately, though the series is great, it isn't perfect.

End of Evangelion is. The series is known for its psychological overtones, but it had a tendency to shove them down your throat at times. End of Evangelion, however, leaves them subtle, yet obvious enough to notice and interpret. The most important part, in my opinion, is how End of Evangelion is far, far darker than the series. The series is naturally bleak and depressing, but it seemed too tame when compared to the story it was telling. Violence and sexual interaction were slim in the series despite all of them integral to the story being told. End of Evangelion fixes this and delivers scenes truly fitting the presented story.

If you were disappointed with episodes 25 and 26 then look no further. This movie will leave you pleased with the series and even more so with the movie itself. read more

In writing a review about "The End of Evangelion", I honestly do not know where to start. To begin with, it is my favorite movie of all time. I will not bother reviewing the plot or setup here, since so many other reviewers have already done so perfectly well. Instead, I will try to shed just a smidgeon of light on the immense literary and artistic depth that this fim encompasses.
There is so very much to say about this film. Its depth, emotion and meaning are unsurpassed by nearly any other film I've seen, from the East or the West. Every minute of every episode of the Evangelion TV series has led up to this film. Every character's personal quest is resolved, for better or for worse, and all the fundamental thematic elements (if not every aspect of the plot) are resolved in truly mind-blowing fashion. Practically every shot of the film is loaded with complex Freudian and/or Judeo-Christian symbolism. (On a side note, many have dismissed the religious symbolism in this series as being frivolous and unnecessary due to the unfortunate comments to that end made by assistant director Kazuya Tsurumaki a number of years ago. However, those who possess an extensive familiarity with both the subject matter and the series find it, to say the least, difficult to accept that such elaborate symbolism could be merely coincidental.) It is not only a fine work of unconventional directorial artistry, but quite possibly the very pinnacle of the literary potential of animation as a medium. The film pushes its medium - one which is frequently condemned to be overlooked by serious critics due to its employment in children's entertainment - to the very limits and beyond, accomplishing true exploitation of its potential for expressionistic value that has never been rivaled before or since, even by the many other great figures in the field of anime. The "flash montages" that Evangelion has become famous for are used to the very maximum of their potential, and the brilliant incorporation of live action into the whole postmodern flow communicates its message to the viewer on a level beyond words - something many films strive to accomplish, but very few ever achieve. The dialogue is concise, powerful, and well-chosen, and is translated into English with exceptional care for both the subtitled and English versions by anime-whiz Amanda Winn Lee and her jolly band at Gaijin Productions. (With the exception of one line of plot exposition that may make viewers' interpretations a little hazy therein.) It is clear, as it has always been, that director Hideaki Anno went to great labors to find the perfect lines for each scene, and just when and how to have them delivered for the greatest possible emotional impact. A previous reviewer has stated of the highly postmodern psychological sequences that "the viewer will soon find that the person under the microscope is not Shinji Ikari, but you." I could not agree more. This film is personally affecting in a way that none other has been, or perhaps ever will be.
The voice acting in both the English and Japanese versions is beyond superb. While the English has a couple of flat deliveries (mostly by stand-in actor Keith Burgess, who took on and subsequently butchered the role of secondary character Makoto Hyuga since the original voice, Matt Greenfield, would not work on the Manga Entertainment dub), none of them truly mar the onscreen drama, and even some lines that might make us laugh in other contexts ("Sweet Jesus, an Anti-AT Field!") are delivered with such confidance and sincerity that we have no choice but to take them with all seriousness. Furthermore, almost all of the beloved cast from the Eva TV series return to their roles in the movie, with leads such as Spike Spencer, Tiffany Grant, Amanda Winn Lee, Allison Keith and Tristan MacAvery delivering what could well be the performances of their lives. The original Japanese cast is just as good, with Megumi Ogata, Yuko Miyamura, Kotono Mitsuishi and the rest pushing their characters to the very limits. Any argument as to which version is superior seems ultimately trite, as both versions are delivered with stunning expertise and emotion.
The visuals of the film are stunning, overwhelming and beautiful. The animation is fluid and stunning, and the shades of gray communicate the melancholy mood of hope, loss and destruction that pervades the film. Even the incredibly graphic violence is delivered with a sort of horrific beauty that makes us reflect upon its greatert significance, not to the story, but to humankind itself. "The Beast" is brought out within all the characters, as the grim slaughter of the first act turns out the ugliest aspects of humanity in an apocalypse that is as emotional as it is visual. We truly FEEL every loose end of the story coming together, as it all falls apart at the same time.
The musical score for the film is unconventional, to say the least. While the TV series fell back to extensive use of synthesizers and small musical ensembles due to budget, Shiro Sagisu's oddball talent finally graduates to a full orchestral range for the big screen.This proves invaluable to the film's delivery, with several key themes from the series making their return in orchestral reprises, most notably including a sweeping choral reprise of the contemplative and bizarre theme "Mother is the First Other" from the later TV episodes. Also unforgettable is the eerily catchy "Komm, Susser Todd", played during the most apocalyptic segment of the film, which extends the already-disturbing imagery to nightmarish proportions.
While the DVD itself does not contain nearly as many extras as one would hope a film of this caliber to receive, the commentary by English-language director Amanda Winn, her husband Jason Lee, and coworker Tallison Jaffe is both refreshingly humorous and helpfully enlightening in regards to the labyrinthine abstraction of the film. Some have criticized it for taking the film too lightly, but I, as a truly sincere fan, must protest. I, for one, would certainly not have sat through the commentary track for the entire film if it were NEARLY as serious as the film itself. The commentators more or less excuse themselves for their lighthearted tone by coming right out and saying that if they were to do a deadpan commentary to "one of the most horrific pieces of violence ever put to cel", that they would probably "be jumping in front of a truck or something". A humorous excuse, of course, but one that, at least to me, endears them significantly enough to allow me to get caught up in their delightfully childish humor. Of course, it's not just "Mystery Science Theater" here - there are serious insights on many of the more abstract images or potential symbols found in the film, and ones that I probably would not have caught onto myself if I had not listened to the commentary track. If the viewer is concerned that they do not have sufficient respect for such a fine film, well, one need only look as far as the film's aforementioned brilliant English adaptation to see otherwise. Despite the fact that there is no laughter to be found within the film, I think it is safe to say that Ms. Lee and her colleagues are laughing with the drama, not at it. (Even in Japan, Hideaki Anno himself decided to parody the film in an audio drama entitled, "After the End".)
I could go on about this brilliant work of art forever and ever, but why should I? If you, the reader of this review, have seen the TV series of "Neon Genesis Evangelion" but have not seen this movie yet, you should feel downright obligated to secure and view it as soon as possible. This is one of the finest achievements in the history of anime, if not Asian cinema itself.

Final Verdict:

Rating: M+ (recommended for 17 and older, with strong content) - For graphic violence and gore, nudity, brief language, sexual situations and disturbing themes and images.

Score: 10/10 - Perfect (or as close as you can get)

Bottom Line: Any fan of anime, Asian film, or just fine cinema owes it to him or herself to see this film. Period. read more

Review 2 of 3, regarding Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Story - 9/10
The -TRUE- Episode 25 and 26 of the hit series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
NERV is under attack by not Angels, but by fellow Mankind!
Will NERV survive and prevent 3rd Impact? Will Shinji
WATCH AND FIND OUT. :)

Art/Animation - 8/10
The animation is pretty much nice like the TV series. Nothing too special or noteworthy. A few nice visuals and the like. Standard GAINAX animation.

Sound - 9/10
I loved the ED song for Episode 25. I just loved it. Otherwise, it was very "epic", I suppose is the correct word for it.

Character - 10/10
So much character development, I don't know where to begin! We see Rei, Shinji, Misato, Asuka, the whole cast and crew develop as the popular series comes to a close.

Enjoyment - 10/10
I enjoyed every minute of the true finale. I have to say, it was a fun - yet angsty series. I appreciate the work Anno put into this series and look forward to seeing the future Eva projects in progress.

Overall, the NGE - End of Evangelion gets a 9/10. read more