I didn’t like it.
I said it.
My two other friends who watched it along with me didn’t like it and we felt that it is a waste of 10 dollars. The buddy that originally told us to watch it with him completely enjoyed it. He is an Eva fan and it is clear that it is worth the 10 dollars he spent for the movie.
Why are the two descriptions so different between people who are completely neutral toward the show (having a mostly unbiased view of the show since we have little background knowledge). I am told that I do not need to know on the background of Neon Genesis Evangelion and I actually watch a few episodes of it a decade ago on my mainstream television channels.
Before I start off, I must say that it definitely has a lot of good things in the show. The action scenes are nothing short of breathtaking. The story is pretty interesting, with you wondering what it is going on with the angels? What is this restoration of the world? There are also great graphical animation that will blow you off your seat. Yet, there is something missing.
1. Before any hardcore EVA fan uses the reason of “You didn’t watch the original series and you have no right to talk”, I believed that this is merely an re-interpretation. That means I should not need the background information of the series. However, I have this niggling feeling that I will far appreciate this show if I have watched the earlier edition. It is perhaps true since most of the Eva fans are objecting to my negative perception of the show. Yet, if it is a well constructed anime movie, I should at least enjoy it decently without the background. Some details seemingly imply the requirement to know about the prior series for better appreciation.
2. One of the key issues in this movie is the extremely lifeless characters that are exploding in front of me. Well, lifeless is probably a very inaccurate word to use, but it’s more like I feel almost nothing for the destruction of the base or the people who are trying to protect it. The overall concept in this story seems to be saving the world from destruction, and that will require you to have some sympathy for the defenders. I do not. I do not really know. One of the reasons is probably how annoying the characters are. I know I should be looking at Rei (the possible founder of the silent archetype) or Misato but it just does not work that way.
3. There is an extreme sense of over indulgence by the director. I know it might offend mecha genre viewers (or Anno fans), but I do not see the point of spending three minutes to know that power line 1-490 and transformers no. 15-19 are currently connected. I am there for the action and I am not sure what it attempts to contribute. Perhaps, it is trying to add on to the tension but I feel that it is detracting from better character development.
So for those who have not watched NGE before this movie, do you feel the same? Do you feel that I am portraying a negative view of EVA 1.0 for a new entrant to the franchise?
21 Comments
I can see where you are coming from. With myself I watched Eva along time ago and not that long ago I watched You are (not) alone and thought it was really good
Since yesterday (no really) I’ve been watching the series again and I have noticed that there are parts of the story line that has been moved around like Shinji running away and discovering what’s at the bottom of NERV, oh and an angel went missing.
I suppose they can only they can only use so much in a film. Yes it’s different and some of the targeted audience will be like “But it’s Eva, it’s rocks no matter which way you tell it”
My opinion if you’ve got a friend who hasn’t watched Eva, wet their taste buds with the film but serve them the series for the main course!
You’re mighty proud of your ignorance to the Evangelion series, expecting to understand the full backstory of a compressed 6 episoder and then to finish it off with a “What’s the big deal about it” post.
That’s like not understanding islam, and then slamming the religion because it breeds terrorists.
Go redeem yourself now.
The three minute of connecting wire is to give a sense of how hard they actually get everything to work and to give the audience an anticipation of guessing how powerful it might be with all the power from japan going to a gun…
Almost like all gundam shows with battery charging… and FIRE! moment…
Alot better then just fire and done… you would find something missing… really…
I find that part especially emotional and like it alot… it atleast showed off the people working to make the plan work and how those electricians worked hard risking danger/life to load the second shot.
As with everything Eva, one either likes it or one does not. Plain and simple. That’s the way it is and that’s the way it’ll be no matter how many “remakes” they do.
The backstory didn’t show up until almost half of the original anime.
Just you wait. You will (probably (if Anno actually explains anything and doesn’t make it a simple mecha show for Gundam Seed-teenage fans who were still wearing diapers, or worse, weren’t even born when the original series aired)) get your explanations.
Just you wait.
I totally agree with Some_Gai, you either like it or you don’t.
I listened for years to people go on and on about how great EVA was. So then I finally watched the series.
I absolutely HATED it. I know, I know blasphemous. But hey we’re all entitled to our opinion.
So to answer your question Impz, no I don’t think you are painting a negative view. Just an honest one.
I’d agree with Some_Gai to a point. It does seem to be a hit or miss show with people. I’m not sure whether this has always been the case though. It may just be that after so many years and such a history that we no longer give it a chance in our minds or conversely we tell ourselves it’s going to be awesome.
The EVA series has so much stigma around it already you may have had pre-conceived subconcious notions regarding it anyway. It’s kinda hard to give a completely neutral view on something when there is already so many thoughts on the subject.
I can understand disliking Eva. I absolutely did not get what was so special about the show when I first watched it. I hated the characters and I thought the Biblical themes were superficial. That being said, you should at least reserve judgment until you have seen the whole thing. This first movie only scratches at the surface of one of the most twisted plots in all of anime.
Eva works on a lot of levels. It doesn’t necessarily work well on all those levels, but, when taken in aggregate, the flawed parts form one of the most complex animes there is. Here’s a hint to get you started on one of those levels: Eva follows a lot of “Super Robot” genre conventions, but it has a sadistic twist for almost every single one of them.
*shrugs* EVA is a hit-and-miss show, Impz, much like Haruhi is right now: you either like it, or don’t. While I’ve developed a rather ecclectic taste in anime over the years, I didn’t feel the time spent on the movie was wasted. Why? Because this is supposed to be a new take on EVA, but with some familiar themes retained (the characters are SUPPOSED to be unlikeable because they’re all messed up, but less here than how they were in the TV series — it’s just how they are).
Familiar with the Zeta Gundam movies (which essentially deleted a whole TV series from official continuity)? This is pretty much the same, a setup what passes for a continuity shift for the timeline (which is a big thing). Movie two promises more massive changes.
Sigh, this show is rated NC-16 in Singapore…I really want to see how the movie goes…not a big fan of Gainax.
What’s the surprise Impz, it has robots in it, we all knew you wouldn’t like it.
you don’t have to like it just because it’s ‘anime’
there’s always this preception that just because you like ‘anime’ you automatically like everything else ‘anime’
people have their perks and so do you… why make your comment so grudgingly?
its like how i will never watch Intial D because of the character eyes
any how… you gotta admit the remastered 5th Angel was cool right? ^^
Tenryu: Actually, it seems that they’ve shuffled the numbering around for the Angels (remember, this is the epilogue to a continuity realignment), since I heard Sachiel (3rd in the TV series) called the 4th this time around… Which means we’re missing one Angel. x_x
And Impz is entitled to his/her opinion (sorry, can’t get the trap part out of my head). Some shows and people aren’t really compatible. Like me and mainstream shounen, for example (though I supposedly ecclectic taste in anime).
I find this funny, it is like Kryptonite to Superman. Whenever a EVA FAN see a negative review of their most precious anime, they go AHH OMG I CAN’T BELIVE IT. Then the Flaming begins, where the fans will call you ignorant. Not knowing that they are making themselves and the other normal EVA fans, look stupid.
>> I find this funny, it is like Kryptonite to Superman. Whenever a EVA FAN see a negative review of their most precious anime, they go AHH OMG I CAN’T BELIVE IT. Then the Flaming begins, where the fans will call you ignorant. Not knowing that they are making themselves and the other normal EVA fans, look stupid.
We are seeing the same from Haruhists and, to some extent, some LOL Geass LOL fans, the first not accepting that people don’t like the bounciness and perkiness of the Haruhi, while the others refuse to believe there are people who can tell a poorly written script from a better written one. But evazealots has been around for much longer, and seems to be as much accepted in the animedom as scientologists in USA and Spain.
@Omar Ali: Hahaha, I wonder if i will like the main course. the problem for me is that I require characters that I like in order to enjoy a show. NGE throws all the characters that are waiting for you to hate for an emo fest. I guess that is the reason why.
@Tsubaki: Well, I do not profess to know it well, but I believe that the movie could be seen as a standalone. If that is not the case, then you are right, I cannot judge it at all. That also makes it unreasonable for the new viewer too, considering he/she has to watch the 26 parter before watching this to enjoy it. That’s ridiculous imho.
@some_gai & DJ: Really O_O. I know it is divisive but still, I believe that there are some merits. It’s just not strong enough to make me go “WOOT, I WANNA WATCH THIS!”
@Tueac: Arr, it was just so annoying because there are so many such scenes. I remember at least four times they had the connection of some bloody wires/power lines/whatever lines.
@Windsplit: Lol, all right. I will wait for the spoilers since the first episode should be at least a draw to be interested. If I am not even interested at the mysteries, i do not see the point. It is the case here, but I am sure many others might have a different view ^^
@Mellow: Very much so. I think it is the heightened expectations since most people who are around me are hyping it up like it should be worshipped. Coming from someone who fell in love in Haruhi Suzumiya after absolutely hating the first episode, I am the type that takes into the hype. Usually, it works well, just not this time.
@Tzuge: K-ness. Sadistic twist T_T? Ermm no, but I guess it will have some merit.
@Rei: Oh, you do know my famous dislike for mecha in general. that said, I loved Zegapain, Macross and a few random mecha series. It’s just the Gundam franchise that makes me go @_@. That just feels like various penors flying around.
@RV: heh, poor you.
@Lupus: read Rei’s comment. I do not mind mecha if it is done well, and not about connecting wires/fighting for fun.
@Tenryu: YES! The 5th angel is insane. I do not know how the original one looks like, but the angels are pretty. That is the only part of the movie that I enjoy which is during the pretty battle scenes.
@Bonja: Oh, I am not hating it btw. I can see its merits, but I just didn’t think that it is the bomb, god and whatever it is. Just like Haruhi, I enjoyed the romp (and delicious nyoro Tsuruya) but I didn’t think it will be in my top anime list anytime soon. I enjoyed it but not considering to be that crazily good to have soem love.
@Sheba: Heh, I think some people just take to extremes. I am quite used to it since I actually was in a merchandise store filled with Eva fans, while I proclaim how I dislike Eva. Imagine the number of otaku stares I got in the store.
Cost to enter the hospital due to injuries caused by thrown cospla: 200 dollars
Seeing this crazy scene of otaku in arms: priceless.
P/s: they just stared since they know I wasn’t too hot a mecha fan and tends to be quite critical of it unless it’s very good.
>> P/s: they just stared since they know I wasn’t too hot a mecha fan and tends to be quite critical of it unless it’s very good.
I tend to be the same when it comes to mecha anime too.
i.e: any attempt to portray war, its horrors and its effects on people in a mecha anime has come to me as silly, especially as a long-time war movies watcher. Maybe because it wouldn’t feel as “in the skin” or as powerful as let’s say “The Pianist” or “Sometimes In April”. And when I claimed that out loud, I got funny but hostile stares from the local gundam nerds.
EDIT: That could explain why I stick to Grendizer or Gurenn Lagann. It’s just mindless fun w/o trying to convey some “slap-over-the-head” message. While FMP, another of the rare mech series I like, found the balance between comedy and drama, w/o even going “DING DING DIS AN ANTI-WAR ANIME RLY!”
Meh. Eva’s cast always came across as half dead for the first part of the story, even in the original. You’ll need to wait for Asuka’s arrival to inject some energy into the story.
I can see where you’re coming from on all of these points. Just give it some time.
You think Fate stay night is a good series, stick to your hentai games, evangelion is clearly not for you.
@tzhuge( & maybe to all)
the Biblical themes were NOT superficial and i am an evangelion fan btw. i happen to be a catholic too. if you understand the relation between the old & new testaments( the classification in the bible, former being before jesus birth & latter after jesus was born)
if you understand how evangelion tries to link to the new testatament as how the the apostles link the new testament to the old testament; you would realised how much effort anno put into this “most twisted plot in all anime”. that i assume is part of the reason why Eva is a hit or miss among fans, but even among fans, if you read the bible and rewatch the series, u will be further amazed by Eva( anno’s efforts too).
haha, and before people accuses me of trying to convert ppl, i really dont have the intention to do it, merely trying to show another viewpoint of appreciating the anime which many probably miss.
in simple, to all non-christians(ppl who didnt read the bible) out there, just imagine, evangelion is a da vinci code which came out 9 years earlier
if more adults watch anime when evangelion came out, it would be a much bigger hit, given its flawless plot which touched on adult themes like psychology & religion.
that is also one of the reason i believe evangelion is still pretty much underrated. eva 1.0 might just change that
@Rebas: I did? I thought that the only good thing about the anime is to swoon at Saber for fun. Other than that, it’s pretty average. Truth be said though, I believe that Evangelion will be a good anime. It just does not interest me.