Customer Reviews

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (Widescreen)

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

End of Evangelion was an interesting end to the series but I have to admit it left me with a very hollow feeling. The series as a whole had the same impact/ effect. It started off very, very, strong, one of the best anime series I've seen in fact. But, about midway through it started to unravel and devolve into a whiny teenager that cries and moans for the entire rest of the series.

While most of the characters show personality and growth as people throughout the series, the main character (Shinji) continues his pervasive whining and crying up to the bitter end while showing no development other than to be very, very, annoying to the point where I don't care about his mental state or what he feels, I just want him to shut up, stop whining/crying (whatever he's doing during that particular episode/scene), or do *anything* but complain and mope.

The antithesis of the "plot" - and I use that word very loosely - is that Shinji not only can't recognize that the people in his life care for him, but he rejects them constantly while at the same time screaming that no one cares for him. Tragic? I suppose, but the fact that nothing about him - his personality, his thought process, etc... - changes from episode one to the final scene in this movie really is really telling. So in the end when he has to choose between saving the world and destroying it, he opts for the latter due to the fact that he can't cope with human emotions. What really dropped the enjoyment factor of this movie is that throughout the whole of it Shinji, save the final few scenes, was either crying, screaming, whining, or acting totally comatose while destruction was raining down around him and the rest of the characters (whom were all subsequently killed) were trying to do something or fighting through their issues and problems and growing/ evolving as people.

At the end there's some answers... more if you look at the imagery, remember back to some instances in the series, and think about the theology and the symbolism, but when it's all said and done, the movie did little more then to kill off all of the characters that actually did grow and evolve as people during the series and reveal Shinji as an emotionally stunted and perverted character that was left to determine the fate of the entire race.

First of all, be warned: Do NOT watch this movie if you are
a) Not familiar with the series. It will NOT make sense.
b) Expecting it to answer many specific questions concretely (i.e. "who killed such-and-such?").
c) Expecting an easily digestible conclusion.

End of Evangelion is what Evangelion longed to be, but couldn't due to budget, time, and tv-network constraints. It cannot be called an action-packed thrillride, nor a touching drama, nor even a linear story. It is Hideaki Anno (director/creator), pure and simple. Or rather, pure and complex. Surreal images coupled with religious symbolism set the background for the interaction of deep, multi-dimensional characters (perhaps the term "entities" is more suitable) that one feels just can't be made up. The subject matter? None other than Anno himself: very many confusing, sometimes contradicting, ideas and feelings meticulously juxtaposed and laid out for interpretation. There is never any guarantee that a particular work of art will appeal to a particular person, but chances are that if you identify on an emotional level with the series (especially Shinji), you'll get blown away by The End of Evangelion.
As for other aspects, i thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack (9/10). I'm told the animation is good (to me it looks better than the series, not better than Cowboy Bebop). The DVD special features are nothing spectacular. The subtitles are excellent, a vital difference from fansubs, pirated copies, and such (considering the sensitivity of the dialogue).

Although this film is the most hotly debated item in the Evangelion universe, fans all tend to agree on one thing about it, regardless of their opinions on many aspects. End of Evangelion is resoundingly beautiful and deeply upsetting. No one really denies that as every eva fan watches the flashes of grotesque imagery, hears the frequent swearing that couldn't really be found in the tv series and tries to comprehend the violent and epic conclusion, that reaction of overwhelming horror and wonder is universal for all.

You'll need to watch it multiple times to understand it-and as anyone who's watched it will tell you, that's not a condescending statement; it is astoundingly convoluted. Infamous scenes such as Shinji by Asuka's hospital bed, the Misato-Shinji confrontation by the lift and the bloody siege of NERV are monuments to the film's controversy and tracks like 'Komm Suesser Todd' and 'Honey Moon with Anxiety' heighten them further.
Beautiful, disconcerting and confusing, this is the true ending. If you've seen all of the tv series then you owe it to yourself to watch this for real closure. It may take some time to accept it, but, ultimately, you won't be disappointed.

I want to begin by saying that if you have not viewed the series, do not even consider purchasing this DVD. If you do, you will not enjoy the movie, you will not understand it, and you will not absorb how incredible it really is.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an incredible example of intellectual anime. It begins as a simple giant robot series, but it seems that once Gainax ran out of money, the series truly began. It consisted of mostly pans across still shots in the later episodes, with characters performing long philosophical monologues that slowly hint at the subtleties in the series, and begin to give away some of the many questions that plague viewers. The series delved deeply into religious symbolic and analogous points, with the Systema Sephiroticum and the Lance of Longinus making constant mysterious appearances.

By the final two episodes, Anno and his team at Gainax had little funds remaining. So instead of the vision of the apocalypse that many fans had been anticipating, he gave them one of the deepest and incredible fourty-five minutes of video yet. Of course, many did not understand what he was trying to do, and became quite upset at the series not having a "real ending." Anno at last got his funding, and created what the fans wanted: the end of humanity.

Enter End of Evangelion. Created as two episodes meant to be alternatives to the original 25th and 26th, this movie needs to be seen several times to be fully understood. Note that the movie's ending and the series's ending do differ (Shinji accepts instrumentality in the series, and rejects it in End). The first half is simple enough, it reflects much of the series up until this point. Incredible battles marked by stunning animation, such as Asuka's battle against the Evangelion mass production series, make this movie question all other anime you've seen thus far. And it's just getting started.

When the mid-way credits roll (with some very nice music, I might add), it starts becoming amazing. Instrumentality. Third impact. The apocalypse. The end of mankind. I've never seen it portrayed as deftly as Anno has done in this movie. This film does not wrap up many of the loose ends in the series itself; rather, it creates one for each it ends. Do not watch it if you want a clear-cut conclusive ending, for I've yet to see two people who agree on an explanation of how it ends. It's simply incredible. Wonderful music, beautiful animation, stunning story, and talented voice acting (even the dub!) make this movie the gem that it is. The finale Anno paints is haunting.. terrifying, even. Buy this movie. It will change the way you look at the world.

ok. I think it sort of get it now thanks to EoE sites.

Warning spoilers!!!! Only read IF YOU SAW the end and don't understand!!!!

now this isin't my text it came from this (...)
I'm useing this cause I don't know a way to put it in my own words because mine would just confuse you so here. It's about the end

Q: What does Asuka mean by the last line in the End of Evangelion movie, "How disgusting"?

"In this sequence, Asuka essentially says that she is sickened and disgusted by the idea of sharing herself with others; the knowledge that other people exist and have an effect on her. In effect, with this tremendously important sequence, Asuka reveals herself as the antithesis of Shinji and the opposite thematic pole of the Evangelion animation. Throughout the Evangelion animation Shinji is torn between his fear of human relations and companionship and his natural desire for affection, acknowledgement and acceptance. Shinji wants to belong. On the other hand, Asuka is disgusted by social relations and other people. She tries to force herself into interpersonal relationships by kissing Shinji, but even that fails. While Shinji represents the desire for companionship; Asuka represents the desire for isolation. "

I warned you tere were spoilers!!

This ending just made my brain hurt. While it is a must see for any fan of the Eva series, the stuff that happens is flat out disappointing.

I am just being introduced to anime. This was one of 3 anime movies I saw to introduce me. The other two were Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and Princess Mononoke. Let me tell you now, from scene 1, I was disturbed. This is not light viewing. The first time I watched it, I sat confused and befuddled, staring into a universe of abstraction, not knowing what was going on. I only began to pick up on things when a friend of mine who had seen the TV series explained different things to me. Then I returned to the movie to watch the second half. I could hardly fall to sleep that night. This movie put thoughts of despair and destruction in my mind that I could not shake for days. This movie shows the cruelty and hatred inside all of humanity in such a blatant and shocking way that I felt as if I were watching the thoughts of some abused outcast who was contemplating mass homocide. I give this movie 5 stars because of the gritty realistic portrayal of the human mind therein. The ending is brilliant. Just watch it. But be advised, you probably should see the TV series first.

I first have to say Neon Genisis Evangelion is one of the most complex anime ever in my life and End of Evanglion is no different. I have seen both the whole t.v series and the death and rebirth DVD but end of evangelion is pretty more straight forward with the story. It starts of with Shinji right next to Asuka which is in some kind of coma. I am not going to spoil anything but there is a lot adult content. A scene in this movie when Asuka's eva UNIT 02 was teared apart it was just completly sickining especially when Asuka feel's every little pain that deals with the eva. What I am really trying to say is that this movie is disturbing and may make you dizzy in some parts and this is also a bit confusing soooooo.. I suggest you get the other one "Death and Rebirth" before you get this. This is a great movie but I don't really reccomend very much only get this if you are 13 or older because this anime DVD is really messed up but good in a anime collection.
P.S. If you really want this get it here on Amazon.com because it is cheaper.

Ok. This was a movie I rented by accident wanting to see death and rebirth first. Well, I wasn't dissapointed! This movie beats the whole eva series! The art is beautifully animated. I do believe that maybe ano had a mental breakdown makeing this beacause some things in the movie are quite disturbing... But don't let that ruin it for you! This movie is one of the best I've ever watched! Perfect for hard core eva fans! But I must warn you DO NOT WATCH THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES OR THE WHOLE THING!!! Because you won't understand it! Although It is one of those movies you have to watch a few times cause I really didn't get it. It'll make you forget about the whole series! Now, I must be truthful. What really disapointed me was that crappy ending... Beacue this movie has no end! so anno just left us in the dust with that ending. But I still give it 5 stars and give it a thousand if I could. I'm 11 but I think 17+ is the perfect age group cause like I said some features are disturbing and it's completely violent. Now don't think I'm crazey cause I watched this at my age cause It was seriously was an accident not knowing what was in it for the fact I rented it. So don't get the wrong idea. But oou of all it's a pretty good movie. Nice aret great music.

I must begin by saying if you are either: a. New to Evangelion's complex world of storytelling or b. You didn't understand Evangelion: The Series, don't watch this. This movie takes everything you've learned in the series and makes it weirder.

The movie actually begins where "Rebirth" of "Death and Rebirth" started off. This is a nice little recap and since you already know what happens, your left waiting until they reach the point we all were left anticipating, SEELE sending nine EVAS against the lone EVA UNIT-02 and Asuka, newly recovered from her mental issues. This was a VERY bloody movie, Asuka fights the SEELE Evas and actually seems as though she might win, until she finds out the double-bladed swords these EVAS are carrying actually are Lance of Longinus (See VOL 7 of Evangelion anime) duplicates. The way she finds this out is after she's smashed almost all of them, they regrow limbs and a Lance is thrown into UNIT-02's head, causing Asuka great pain.
Shinji, meanwhile, is still trying to get to UNIT-01 with Misato. She is shot on the way into the vents and just before they reach their target, Misato says she can't go on and kisses Shinji (on the mouth for more than five seconds)before sending him down to UNIT-01. She dies not soon after as Shinji races to the Geofront's surface where he sees a grisly sight: the SEELE Evas have become vulture-like and have ripped most of the biological matter from UNIT-02, meaning we have eyeballs, flesh, and organs sticking out of UNIT-02. Of course, Shinji suddenly goes insane again at this sight. In Central Dogma, or one of those Dogma Sections, Comm. Ikari and Rei are in front of ADAM, the First Angel. Now, Ikari wants to start Third Impact by having himself, fused with the real ADAM I think, come into contact with Rei (I don't know why). Well, Rei says to him she isn't a puppet and fuses with ADAM, creating a giant Rei. This is where the movie becomes very psychological and I found myself asking what I was watching.

By the end of the movie, these facts were prevalent: Third Impact had happened but Shinji and Asuka, in EVAS, had been able to escape; everyone was dead (or at least there was no one in the LCL submerged area that was Tokyo-3); Shinji and Asuka are obviously going to have to repopulate the planet.

All in all: This was the single most confusing movie I ever watched but if you get past the weird psycho-insanity, you can finally see what happens to every Evangelion member. Five Stars!