The Essentials
Name: End of Evangelion
Genre: Science Fiction
Episodes: N/A
Released: July 19, 1997
Based On: Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series
Director: Hideaki Anno
Produced By: GAINAX, Production I.G., et. al.
US Distribution By: Manga Entertainment
Major Japanese Cast
Shinji Ikari: Megumi Ogata
Rei Ayanami: Megumi Hayashibara
Asuka Langley Sohryu: Yuko Miyamura
Misato Katsuragi: Kotono Mitsuishi
Gendô Ikari: Fumihiko Tachiki
Kôzô Fuyutsuki: Motomu Kiyokawa
Maya Ibuki: Miki Nagasawa
Ritsuko Akagi: Yuriko Yamaguchi
Keel Lorentz: Mugihito
Kaworu Nagisa: Akira Ishida
Major English Cast
Shinji Ikari: Spike Spencer
Rei Ayanami: Amanda Winn Lee
Asuka Langley Sohryu: Tiffany Grant
Misato Katsuragi: Allison Keith
Gendô Ikari: Tristan MacAvery
Kôzô Fuyutsuki: Michael Ross
Maya Ibuki: Amy Seeley
Ritsuko Akagi: Sue Ulu
Keel Lorentz: Tom Booker
Kaworu Nagisa: Aaron Krohn
Score
Animation: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Story: 8/10 (x 4 = 32 pts)
Music: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Coherence/Story Arc: N/A
English Dubs: 10/10 (x1 = 10 pts)
Gut Score: 8/10 (x 5 = 40 pts)
Total: 154/180 (85.6%)
Review
The End of Evangelion starts off where Episode 24 of the series ended. With the destruction of the final angel, SEELE decides to begin the Human Instrumentality Project in the manner that they have planned and starts to assault NERV headquarters with orders to seize EVA unit 01 and kill all the personnel inside the headquarters, especially the EVA pilots.
Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari attempts to use Rei to implement the Human Instrumentality Project in the way he wishes - to see his dead wife, but Rei rejects him and starts Instrumentality on her own. At the same time, Shinji is still in a deep depression about having to kill Kaworu, but is forced into action again due to the attack, and is ultimately chosen by Rei to decide how and whether the Instrumentality Project should proceed as he finally learns the ultimate truth behind the Second Impact and the angels.
Split into two parts itself, End of Evangelion effectively replaces the last two episodes of the TV series, and Anno takes full opportunity of it being a movie to create a piece that is even more intense and shocking than the TV series was. The first half - called “Episode 25: Air” is structured much like an extra-long Evangelion episode as the series winds down (and, in fact, it was supposed to be the original Episode 25 of the TV series). The second half - called “Episode 26: True Heart For You” is the grand finale and the intensity - and the confusion - reach it’s apex here with the end result of the movie being open to numerous interpretations.
This movie was rather entertaining, though it certainly isn’t for the weak of stomach as it contains quite a bit of disturbing violent and sexual content, some of which I think adds to the movie and some of it is added needlessly. Also, while I think the first “episode” is very well done and executed, the second half seems to stray back into the realm of being excessively abstract and talky, with a very good deal of the time being spent with Shinji as he struggles with himself. I realize that the result of all this inner turmoil is very important to the conclusion, but again it seems to be a bit excessive to me.
Despite it’s many weaknesses, though, End of Evangelion appears to be a (more) real ending to Evangelion, though one could even argue about that I’m sure. It may not necessarily be a happy ending per se, or even an ending that you particularly think should have occurred, but it’s execution was, overall, well done.
In it’s technical aspects, the animation appeared to get a slight boost from the TV series while the music and dub acting were essentially the same.
Overall, if you liked Evangelion, you’ll probably like End of Evangelion as well. However, you’ll want to make sure to watch the TV series before checking this out or else you’ll be lost.
First Watched: August 2007
Do I Own: No
Do I Recommend: Yes
