Story: 9/10: The story of this film is pretty convoluted at times, so you definitely need to a) pay attention and b) see the 26 episode series. The second half of this film, in which the characters and the world itself is reborn as a result of the main character's decision, can be confusing if one does not remember the show. However, though important, the plot is fairly secondary, especially in this film. It is really about the characters, and nearly everything else exists as backdrop and symbolism for their complex struggles and Anno's high-concept message.
The way things are shown and the depth of the symbolism is incredibly top-notch, though.
Art 10/10: The art of this film is abso-fucking-lutely beautiful. Free from the budgetary constrictions of the sometimes visually lacking series and aided by more than 4 high-quality animation companies, the film looks so good for 1997, almost as good as Akira looked for 1988. An epic (and brutal) fight scene in the first half of the movie feels amazingly kinetic, impactful, and human despite not even being rotoscoped, and the apocalyptic montage of third impact is quite simply the most fluidly beautiful surrealist imagery I have ever witnessed. Every frame of this film is soaked in cell-animated beauty.
Sound: 10/10: The music in this film is also fantastic. The aforementioned fight scene flows to a brilliant orchestration of Bach's Air, and an amazing (and now famous) song (with english lyrics, no less) plays during the climactic sequence of the film. The voice actors are amazing too. I recommend the Japanese version, because the seiyuu do a brilliant job at conveying the emotion necessary for such a brilliant film. The english dub has its talent as well, but some of the actors are "meh" enough to add some unwelcome cringe to some of the film's most important scenes. The dub I give a 7/10, while the original deserves a perfect 10.
Character(!) 10/10: The best part of this film is certainly its brilliantly developed and brutally realistic characters. The complexity of their motivation, the height of their emotional trauma, and their final fates completely drive the entirety of this film. The main protagonist, Shinji Ikari, exibhits one of the most painfully accurate portrayals of depression ever explored visually, and the movie spends much of the time looking into this. The characters' decisions to attempt to live happily are the most thrilling aspect of this film, and Shinji's actions feel suprising, deliberate, and uplifting all at the same time. The film also boasts some of the best written character interactions in film, especially between Shinji and Asuka, as well as a scene between Shinji and Misato.
Enjoyment: 10/10: There are some parts of this film that are painful to watch because of their emotional impact, shock value, or brutality, but ultimately this film's brilliant resolution of character and plot arcs (in a compact 87 minutes, no less) as well at its ultimately uplifting message caused me to thoroughly enjoy this film. Although I did not always like relating to Shinji Ikari, it was a thrilling and bittersweet relief to see him finally begin to make his way through life.
Overall: 10/10: There are some things that are even more enjoyable when the consumer is depressed, and The End of Eva is certainly one of those things. The beautiful visuals, engaging plot, and insanely realistic characters prove the brilliance of this theatrical ending to one of the most incredible anime of all time. As a teenager and someone who struggles with depression, this film has helped me understand life and human relationships with its call to live in reality and outspoken rejection of escapism. In the end of eva, thoughtful viewers have the chance to see characters--no, people--reject a wishful escape, live through tragedy, death, and apocalypse to seek true happiness beyond depression. Viewers and characters alike witness death and sacrifice, but then, finally, resurrection and rebirth. And that, I believe, is the perfect End of Evangelion.
