I started watching Death Note... started off really well, but since Light "gave up" the DN, it's turned heavily shit =/ Also, I would never grow tired of punching the annoying Misa in the face.
Thats rather interesting as I studied media at college for three years and looked at film analysis very deeply (Kubrick was actually my given director for our film studies project) and I think Evangelion 2.0 was rather groundbreaking in most aspects in terms of the medium. I guess thats just one display of how similar minds can meet at opposite ends.
The shots might not have been overly special, but compared to what we usually see in anime they were used rather masterfully. As for the narrative - saying its what you would expect from a Hollywood film is rather vague, as Hollywood has pumped out both masterpieces such as Forrest Gump and piles of crap like Twilight. I feel 2.0 was very engaging and that it did not once lose its steam. I personally found the film very satisfying, both as a homage to the original series and as something new. I would agree that it seemed to be aimed more at the masses however, what with the lack of religious references and psychological elements, but does that really matter? Also, Studio Khara handled the entire production on 2.0, including (to the surprise of many) the animation. Gainax are only attatched to the film as they own the rights to the franchise.
Its also interesting that after saying the film is aimed more at the masses you mention how Mari left the audience in the dark, which isn't what Western viewers like and so is effectively a step away from the masses. The film wasn't made for Western audiences though. While I'm sure they had international releases in mind, it was always initially aimed at the Japanese, who are much more open minded than Western audiences. Still, I think its wrong to lump all Western audiences together like that, as these days all viewers are open to much more experimental filming and narrative techniques. I also still think your comments about Mari are more on a personal level rather than reflecting the bigger picture.
Your review was most definitely worth reading, and of course worth commenting on. I've only ever commented on one other review before this. You bring up a lot of very interesting points, but as I said before, I think you compare the movie to the original series rather unfairly. I can understand if someone were to compare 1.0 to the series, but 2.0 is very much an original work and its clear the Rebuild tetralogy is now following its own path, and with that said I feel 2.0 deserves more of a stand-alone review rather than being compared to a work it is trying to move away from. But hey, continue reviewing however you want. I'm only one person and your review certainly sparked my attention and got me involved, so theres something! I just personally did not agree with a few of the points in your review, but no one is ever going to write a review everyone agrees with. Thanks for a very coherent reply by the way. There are a ton of people on this website who would flame at the sight of anyone with a differing opinion to them.
Hi there. Sorry to barge in like this but I feel I must comment on your review of Eva 2.0.
I think you're comparing the movie to the original series rather unfairly. First I'll say that one of the reasons Anno decided to do Rebuild was to make Evangelion "more accessible to non-fans than the original TV series and films were", so obviously it isn't going to be as indepth as the series. It isn't supposed to. Not forgetting to mention that Rebuild is going in a completely different direction to the series and no one but Anno and his team have the faintest idea of how it is going to play out. For all we know the psychological aspects of Evangelion we're all familar with may be introduced later on. There just simply isn't any need for it right now - it does not complement the current story.
Also, you seem to be coming at the changes to the characters at the wrong angle. Shinji isn't heading to a mental breakdown this time, he is a much more stern character, so why would that aspect of his old character be present in Rebuild? The same goes for Asuka, while her loneliness is addressed, it is resolved rather quickly and her mother is not even mentioned once, so again - we don't need a build up to a mental breakdown. This is not Neon Genesis Evangelion, this is Rebuild, this is a different version of the story and a different take on the characters.
As for Mari, I think its unfair to condemn the film just because something you wanted wasn't included. Mari's character is supposed to be very mysterious, we're not supposed to know anything about her, that is how its supposed to be. Treating the audience to her backstory so soon once again does not complement the current story. You have to remember that this is only the second movie in a tetralogy, we're only half way through. There is more than enough time to find out about her later on. Evangelion 2.0, however, was not about her and they can after all only fit so much into one film.
You seem to be comparing Rebuild to the original work too much. Rebuild isn't supposed to be anything like the original series - it is a reimagining not a frame-to-frame remake. If you want to experience all of the navel-gazing, self-hatred, character analysis and psychology, then just revisist the series. Rebuild offers us a different perspective because the series is already perfect as it is. Fair enough, compare them if you want, but don't decide that Rebuild has flaws just because things aren't how they were in the original work. All of the changes have been made with a new direction in mind and all can be justified if you look deep enough. View the series and Rebuild as companion pieces and not as two pages of the same book, as they are clearly distinct from each other.
Sorry if any part of my comment came across as rude - that was not my intention. I just wanted to voice my thoughts.
Definitely worth reading, but you didn't give a balanced review, it was leaning toward the "It was ok, but argh another remake the original was better" side.
"But then is that being faithful to the fans what followed the original TV series?"
It's not meant to be faithful to it, he's making an entirely different story this time round. Hence the name "rebuild".
Heh, look at me, reviewing a review. I'm the ultimate critic.
"It just feels like Hideaki Anno has adapted it for movie audiences to make it more watchable to those not willing to engaging in its Pyschological roots."
If i remember right, he said that this time, he was going to give the characters a chance for happiness, rather than screw over every character like he did in the previous series.
It's basically an "Earn your happy ending" this time around.
I recall that you like Philosophical and deep anime.
I like to recommend you Gunslinger Girl and Shigofumi.
Don't get fooled by Gunslinger Girl's title. It's not what you think it is. The story is surprisingly deep and is one of the best show I've seen.
Same goes with Shigofumi, I started Shigofumi thinking that the show would be fun, but I was overwhelm by how great it is. Deep, philosophical and yeah...
All Comments (22) Comments
I started watching Death Note... started off really well, but since Light "gave up" the DN, it's turned heavily shit =/ Also, I would never grow tired of punching the annoying Misa in the face.
Please tell me it gets better again!
The shots might not have been overly special, but compared to what we usually see in anime they were used rather masterfully. As for the narrative - saying its what you would expect from a Hollywood film is rather vague, as Hollywood has pumped out both masterpieces such as Forrest Gump and piles of crap like Twilight. I feel 2.0 was very engaging and that it did not once lose its steam. I personally found the film very satisfying, both as a homage to the original series and as something new. I would agree that it seemed to be aimed more at the masses however, what with the lack of religious references and psychological elements, but does that really matter? Also, Studio Khara handled the entire production on 2.0, including (to the surprise of many) the animation. Gainax are only attatched to the film as they own the rights to the franchise.
Its also interesting that after saying the film is aimed more at the masses you mention how Mari left the audience in the dark, which isn't what Western viewers like and so is effectively a step away from the masses. The film wasn't made for Western audiences though. While I'm sure they had international releases in mind, it was always initially aimed at the Japanese, who are much more open minded than Western audiences. Still, I think its wrong to lump all Western audiences together like that, as these days all viewers are open to much more experimental filming and narrative techniques. I also still think your comments about Mari are more on a personal level rather than reflecting the bigger picture.
Your review was most definitely worth reading, and of course worth commenting on. I've only ever commented on one other review before this. You bring up a lot of very interesting points, but as I said before, I think you compare the movie to the original series rather unfairly. I can understand if someone were to compare 1.0 to the series, but 2.0 is very much an original work and its clear the Rebuild tetralogy is now following its own path, and with that said I feel 2.0 deserves more of a stand-alone review rather than being compared to a work it is trying to move away from. But hey, continue reviewing however you want. I'm only one person and your review certainly sparked my attention and got me involved, so theres something! I just personally did not agree with a few of the points in your review, but no one is ever going to write a review everyone agrees with. Thanks for a very coherent reply by the way. There are a ton of people on this website who would flame at the sight of anyone with a differing opinion to them.
I think you're comparing the movie to the original series rather unfairly. First I'll say that one of the reasons Anno decided to do Rebuild was to make Evangelion "more accessible to non-fans than the original TV series and films were", so obviously it isn't going to be as indepth as the series. It isn't supposed to. Not forgetting to mention that Rebuild is going in a completely different direction to the series and no one but Anno and his team have the faintest idea of how it is going to play out. For all we know the psychological aspects of Evangelion we're all familar with may be introduced later on. There just simply isn't any need for it right now - it does not complement the current story.
Also, you seem to be coming at the changes to the characters at the wrong angle. Shinji isn't heading to a mental breakdown this time, he is a much more stern character, so why would that aspect of his old character be present in Rebuild? The same goes for Asuka, while her loneliness is addressed, it is resolved rather quickly and her mother is not even mentioned once, so again - we don't need a build up to a mental breakdown. This is not Neon Genesis Evangelion, this is Rebuild, this is a different version of the story and a different take on the characters.
As for Mari, I think its unfair to condemn the film just because something you wanted wasn't included. Mari's character is supposed to be very mysterious, we're not supposed to know anything about her, that is how its supposed to be. Treating the audience to her backstory so soon once again does not complement the current story. You have to remember that this is only the second movie in a tetralogy, we're only half way through. There is more than enough time to find out about her later on. Evangelion 2.0, however, was not about her and they can after all only fit so much into one film.
You seem to be comparing Rebuild to the original work too much. Rebuild isn't supposed to be anything like the original series - it is a reimagining not a frame-to-frame remake. If you want to experience all of the navel-gazing, self-hatred, character analysis and psychology, then just revisist the series. Rebuild offers us a different perspective because the series is already perfect as it is. Fair enough, compare them if you want, but don't decide that Rebuild has flaws just because things aren't how they were in the original work. All of the changes have been made with a new direction in mind and all can be justified if you look deep enough. View the series and Rebuild as companion pieces and not as two pages of the same book, as they are clearly distinct from each other.
Sorry if any part of my comment came across as rude - that was not my intention. I just wanted to voice my thoughts.
"But then is that being faithful to the fans what followed the original TV series?"
It's not meant to be faithful to it, he's making an entirely different story this time round. Hence the name "rebuild".
Heh, look at me, reviewing a review. I'm the ultimate critic.
If i remember right, he said that this time, he was going to give the characters a chance for happiness, rather than screw over every character like he did in the previous series.
It's basically an "Earn your happy ending" this time around.
I like to recommend you Gunslinger Girl and Shigofumi.
Don't get fooled by Gunslinger Girl's title. It's not what you think it is. The story is surprisingly deep and is one of the best show I've seen.
Same goes with Shigofumi, I started Shigofumi thinking that the show would be fun, but I was overwhelm by how great it is. Deep, philosophical and yeah...
One of my friend, Little_Sparrow stop downloading anime as a whole fearing that his internet may get cut off... 3 strike thing.
Seems like you're not troubled by it ^_^lll