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.
