Post by solidbatman on Aug 19, 2012 12:24:14 GMT -5
-Details-
Genre: Drama/Action/Mecha
Company: Gainax/Khara
Format: Movie (98 minute run time)
Dates: 1 September 2007
-Visuals- 9.8/10
Absolutely top notch visuals. Not restrained by a budget, the animators went all out redrawing the word of Evagelion and in the process created a more well defined post apocalyptic world. Tokyo 3 was barren in Neon Genesis Evangelion, but has been redone to show the hustle and bustle of city life. We now see actual civilians getting caught in the cross fire between the Angels and NERVs weaponry. Speaking of the Angels, they look magnificent in this film. They have also been redrawn and have lost the static look that they previously had. The third battle in the film particularly impresses with some of the best CG animation I have ever seen in anime. CG is common in this film, but its used so well that it adds to the film. We see CG used mainly in high action fight scenes and used for the angels to give them an awe inspiring look rather than dull. Do not go into this film expecting a massive redesign of the series. The visuals are simply an upgrade; a massive upgrade at that.
-Characters- 8.5/10
While this film is merely a retelling of the first 6 episodes of the series, there are slight changes in the characters; changes for the better I might add. Shinji Ikari, our main character is not nearly as apathetic and depressed as in the original series and that is refreshing. Now he doesn't suddenly become a happy character, but he does not make the film frustrating to watch. He is a character the viewer can get behind and pull for now. Rei seems to also be more of a character in this film and we do see actual growth in her character (though more so in the second film). Outside of those two, the characters have remained the same, which is not a bad thing, but it would have been nice to get more insight to some of them.
-Story- 8/10
Earth is fighting for it's very survival against a fearsome group of monsters called Angels. Only Evangelion units, piloted by children, seem able to defeat the Angels. NERV, an organization set up by the UN, controls 2 Eva units in Japan, Eva Unit 0 and Eva Unit 1. Based out of Tokyo 3, NERV and it's commander, Gendo Ikari, fight the Angels and attempt to unlock the mystery surrounding them. Shinji Ikari arrives at NERV HQ to pilot Eva Unit 1 at the request of his father, Gendo.
The story is simply a retelling of the first 6 episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion with a few scenes peppered in here and there. Don't expect too many answers to the story as Evangelion 1.01 sets up the characters for the rest of the Rebuild series. As I mentioned when writing about the characters, the characters have been changed for the better.
-Overall- 8.5/10
Evangelion 1.01 is an enjoyable film, but one that really does not add much to the Evangelion lore besides modified characters. If you do not want to invest in a 26 episode series that had major issues with pacing, story telling, and characters, then I would watch the film instead as it does better in those three areas than the original TV series. If you are a big fan of the series, give this film a go as well, for the same reason.
