Also, you absolutely need to watch the original show or the first two movies before diving into this one, or else it'll lead to a constant questioning of "wtf kind of drugs did the creators take, what is this".
Alright...so, you've probably decided to read reviews about this movie because it gets really diverse critiques. It's precisely this movie (or rather the ending) that split the fan base of Madoka Magica in half, and I can completely understand why. But people need to understand that 1.) Madoka Magica is not about sunshine and rainbows. In case you still believed that; you've been trolled for nearly five years now, congratulations. The entire franchise was designed that way to make viewers believe it's exactly what it looks like, but it's not. Which brings me to 2.) Not all fiction is supposed to please the viewers and give them satisfactory conclusions. In fact, I think The Rebellion Story tried to make clear that even perfect imagination can't be forced to become real, because that still wouldn't mean for it to be >true< or for us to be >truly happy<. And that's what makes the movie so great: It's trying to teach this to us on a meta level by letting the movie play out rather light-heartedly (even parodically) in the beginning, only to shatter our hopes after the first half and again later in the movie. But that's what I came for, honestly. I love Madoka Magica because of the heartbreak, the depth of the portrayed feelings and the bittersweet sadness it leaves in me.
STORY & CHARACTER (9/10):
Without spoiling anything: It's called The Rebellion Story for a reason, or rather for more than one, because it applies to the movie in more than just one way. Either way it's clearly focusing on Homura (how could it not?). Gen Urobuchi, the writer who is known for his controversial endings, said that while the Madoka anime series covered everything there is to Madoka, Rebellion covers everything there is to Homura. I couldn't agree more. I can also see why many fans reconsidered their opinions about Homura or even started disliking her, but remember: A good character is supposed to be somewhat flawed and/or show strong character-development in any logical direction in order for them to appear authentic. I guess anything could've happened to Homura and there'd still be fans who'd be opposed to that development. But honestly, what happens in the movie seems quite logical to me and made me fully realize how scarred and almost traumatized this character really is. Homura is certainly not a knight in shiny armor. Yes, she'd always been trying to do the right thing, but what ultimately drives her (not losing Madoka) is what she'd do anything for, and that has been clear since the TV series tbh.
As for the other characters: I think they got their fair share of screen-time and badass sugoi-moments. I especially want to point out Sayaka, who shows a lot of positive development which I absolutely grant her. We all love our Holy Quintet, some characters more than others, but they were all made fairly good use of. I would love to see lots more of the gang as a whole, since the TV series had them separated most of the time.
ART (10/10):
The art style is pretty much the same as it was in the original series, only cleaner, even more beautiful and even more acid-trippin' than ever. There's so many colors without it being too flashy, and different styles clashing without it being too exaggerated. The atmosphere just seems so magical and mysterious while maintaining lots of threatening undertones, and the animation per se is fluent and entertaining. In conclusion: Pure eye-candy.
SOUND (9000/10):
I can't with how fantastic Rebellion's soundtrack is...! If you thought the original Madoka Magica had unforgettable, beautiful tunes, the music of Rebellion is gonna sweep you off your feet. I normally don't care too much for anime soundtracks, but Yuki Kajiura, the music composer of both, the series and the movie, outdid herself this time. There are few leitmotifs, but composed variously to fit the different moods of the movie. For example one of the first tracks “Mada dame yo” (“Not yet”), which lightheartedly serves the prelude, turns into a more bitter version in the epilogue to fit a different mood.
My favorite tracks also include “Absolute Configuration”, which couldn't be more epic if it tried, “Hail The Nutcracker Queen”, which sounds completely new/different and has german lyrics - then there's “This Is My Despair”, which made me weep, and last but not least: “Doubt”, which underlays the scene it's played in so perfectly that it's become one of my favorite scenes even though nothing really happens in it. So you see, the Rebellion OST got me hooked like crazy!
ENJOYMENT (11/10):
If you're unable to enjoy movies that don't leave you satisfied or content, then Rebellion probably won't be to your liking. But I, personally, think that some of the best movies (or stories in general) have open and/or unsatisfactory endings. The stories that warm your heart but still leave you crying and screaming internally. Rebellion did that: It gave the fans what they wanted (which we should be thankful for, I mean let alone the subtext was highly increased to a point where it's basically canon), but at the same time, taught us to accept the truth in order to achieve true happiness. But. Sometimes you can't help how you feel or what you desire, which will lead to irrational actions and decisions. And this takes “love” to a much higher level beyond good and evil, reality and illusion or black and white - not even to a greyscale but to a spectrum that contains EVERY color (take this as symbolism for the last big plot twist of the movie ;)). I think this aspect justifies the ending, but I'm also a sucker for tragedy, madness and enjoying things to the point where they plague me, so~
OVERALL (10/10):
I'm really sorry if you feel differently, but I honestly think anyone can watch, enjoy and learn from the Madoka franchise, including Rebellion. One must simply be ready to not judge by the looks and be open for how things play out. There's so much meaning behind the stories about the Holy Quintet, the Magical Girls that fight to spread hope while running from their own despair. It's about balance, accepting your feelings, doing what YOU think is right and selfish vs. selfless love. It's not meant to be understood (because really now, who even fully understands the human mind? Kyubey sure doesn't) but to be deeply touched and inspired by. And that's what I am, I'm honestly feeling so inspired by this anime, and as long as it gives me this feeling, I'm looking forward to everything that's yet to come.
