Sep 9, 2009
I just finished watching the original TV series for the first time two days ago and I can safely say that You Can (Not) Advance far surpasses the equivalent episodes, which were by far my least favorite of the series (we wont count 25 and 26). Amazingly, the improved animation, the new characters, and the changes to the story (big and small) all combine to focus the viewer's attention on positive relationships that bring the characters together and ultimately lie at the heart of Evangelion. The original series completely failed to draw the viewers attention to these relationships because it spent so much screen time
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focused on self hatred and self loathing. In Eva 2.0 ever change, the cuts and the additions, serves to push the negativity to the background. It keeps the pain real without alienating the viewer like the original. I'm almost inclined to say that the improvements make 1.0 look a poorly edited and rushed (of course they've had a decade to get it right). You absolutely do not need to have seen any of the old versions to enjoy You Can (Not) Advance. Whether the viewer has seen the original or not, Eva 2.0 will have a bigger emotional impact on them precisely because it focuses on being together and fighting together as a team. The painful moments are there, but they are no longer the focus. You actually feel good when you finish You Can Advance.
Animation: Even on a cam rip, the quality of the animation excellent. When 3d rendering is used it integrates well with the normal animation. The animation does its job and makes sure you don't notice it unless you're supposed to.
Sound: It is hard to give sound a fair review when listening to a recording of the actual sound, that said there was nothing wrong with the sound, oh except for that sounds in space thing (nerd).
Music: The music takes what would otherwise be a good film and raises it to the next level, strengthening the emotion the director wants you to feel.
Characters: Without a doubt the subtle changes to the characters actions from the original make all the characters more real and whole. I had trouble finding anything likable about many of them in the original, but in this rendition one can actually have sympathy for them. Also Mari, but I don't think I need to say much beyond that she will hit you like a rocket powered freight train.
Story: Major departures from the original here, but they all work beautifully to develop the characters where the original completely failed. I am interested to see where Anno decides to take us next. Some new viewers may dislike how certain plot points blaze by without much explanation, but it prevents the film from getting bogged down in back story.
Editing: Personally I think this is where most of the magic happens in Eva 2.0. The timing of all the scenes is just long enough (no more eternal elevator scene for example) to get the point across without frustrating the viewer. The film flows very smoothly with only one or two brief points of agitation.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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