Masterpiece Cinema - The End of Evangelion

Welcome back! Kick off your shoes and enjoy a review, why dontcha? This week: a gem of Japanese animation.

The End of Evangelion

Starring a bunch of Japanese or English voice-over actors, depending on which dub youd prefer to listen to.
Written by Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi & Kazuya Tsurumaki
Directed by Hideaki Anno & Kazuya Tsurumaki
Genre: Sci-Fi/Animation
Released: 1997
Running time: 87 minutes.
Rated: PG-13/M15+ (American/Australian rating forwell, a bunch of violence, some adult themes and a bit of naughty language).

IMDb link: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0169858/

Okay, so, who in the class knows what anime is? Hands up. Wow, that's a lot of you. I shouldn't be surprised - you're all very highly educated people with good taste and nice haircuts. And I bet you all smell nice, too.

But for those of you who don't know, it's that genre thats often mistakenly referred to as manga and referred to in a vaguely racist manner as Japanimation.
The Japanese have an absolutely booming animation industry. Ignoring the huge business they generate in the western world, Japan's animated films rank highly in box office grosses, where animation isnt seen as purely childs fare. Sure, there are cartoon kids movies, but theres also stuff for adults. The End of Evangelion is an example.

Let me begin this by stipulating that, if you haven't watched the anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, you shouldn't begin by watching this movie. I mean, look at the title it's the end of the entire story. You're not going to understand what's going on, much as you wouldnt understand what was happening in a play if you walked in on the final act. So, if you've never heard of Evangelion before, take this review to be in support of both the movie and the excellent, groundbreaking, immensely popular TV series that preceded it. Consider this review as a glimpse at the treasure that awaits you at the end of the rainbow. Believe me, The End of Evangelion is a treasure.
[BB]
Neon Genesis Evangelion seemed to be nothing more than your typical giant robot sci-fi anime series when it debuted back in 1995. It was full of blue-haired characters, large action pieces, goofy comedy bits and a smidge of T & A. However, slowly, as the series progressed, it became evident that there was something else lurking beneath the surface of this show. Religious iconography and occult mythology was used in new and imaginative ways, layering meaning into a show that dealt with psychological and emotional issues in intense and visceral ways.

But, man, did people ever get pissed off when the series reached its finale an episode that takes place entirely inside the mind of the main character, despite the fact that there was no real, onscreen explanation for how the audience got there and what the hell it all meant.

So, in response to the outcry, The End of Evangelion was crafted two new episodes that are meant to supersede the final episode of the series and give fans a greater sense of closure. And theres closure. And theres not. And, man, is it ever amazing to watch.

Theres so much in this film to give college professors and university tutors to mull over and debate and analyze. Its nine months pregnant with meaning, with symbolism and with psychobabble. Its an epic in the greatest sense of the word; if fans were left scratching their heads with the way the series originally ended, theyre left downright flabbergasted by this bombastic display.

The End of Evangelion reinforces in my mind why I like anime so much: between the giant robot battles and the Christ metaphors, you gain an appreciation for how theres nothing like this coming out of Hollywood at the moment (if there ever will be).

It's not something to be viewed lightly and as I said earlier, it's not something you can just walk into cold. But if you put in the effort, if you watch the series and then watch this movie, it will give you something thatll hook you, that''ll keep you coming back over and over again for another go, for another try at unraveling the mystery. And even then, youll still be left wondering.

But that's all part of the fun, isn't it?

Next time: A Spike Lee joint.

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