Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth

Director: Hideaki Anno

Rating: Unrated

Review Posted: 8.29.02

By Jon Bjorling

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one the most controversial Anime shows ever made, and quite possibly one of the most disturbing I have ever seen. It combined a highly detailed dramatic plot, an intense sci-fi action story, and many religious metaphors in ways that would offend some and intrigue others.

The series was a 26 episode epic about mankind battle against a race of monsters known as 'Angels.'

The story breaks down something like this:

The year is 2015, and the world has faced a major catastrophe known the world over as the 2nd Impact. The public believes that 2nd Impact was caused by a gigantic meteorite that struck the Earth in the year 2000, thus melting the polar ice caps and flooding parts of the world. What the public never knew was that a creature was found in the Arctic, a being known as
'Adam.' Adam, is an Angel. The first of 17 Angels written about in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

A secret organization, known as SEELE has taken measures to ensure that humanity survives the inevitable 3rd Impact by setting up an organization to combat these Angels. This is NERV. Their weapon, gigantic human controlled beings known as Evangelion. The pilots, specially selected
children.

Fast forward to present day. Shinji Ikari has come to Tokyo-3 to see the man he hates the most, his father. What he doesn't realize is that his father is the head of NERV and finally has a use for his son, Shinji is to become the pilot of the Test Type Eva. But this robot is much more than a machine, it must fully synchronize with it's pilot. The two, become one. What damage the machine undergoes, the pilot feels.

But Shinji is not alone, he is the 'third child.' The first, Rei Ayanami, is an introverted and introverted young lady who harbors a dark secret. The second, Asuka Langly Souryu is a prideful extrovert who seems to
have it in for anyone who wants to help her.

As the series progresses we discover the dark secret of SEELE and what the Evas truly are. It is a remarkable series that flows extremely well, until the end. The final two episodes act as a catharsis to the intense drama that has been built up as the final angel is eliminated... but are too esoteric to truly finish off the series.

Instead of really tying itself to the events that just passed the audience is left with one big question -- what the FUCK just happened?

And so Gainax and the series creators released Evangelion: Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion. These two movies were supposed to act as the alternate episodes 25 and 26. This is the first of the two final episodes. Episode 25, Death and Rebirth.

EVANGELION: DEATH

The first part of Death and Rebirth is pretty much a summary of what happened in the previous 24 episodes. If you have not seen the series, this
won't help you.

This summary gives the viewer very little information as to what had been going on previously.  The only thing it accomplishes is to introduce the characters, show a few of the major plot points and some of the more interesting battle sequences, and get the viewer completely confused.

Those who have seen the series will be treated to a few new sequences which develop a few minor points, and a few new English voice actors for a few characters, but not much else.  It looks good, sounds good, but really isn't really worth watching.

2 out of 10

EVANGELION: REBIRTH

The 17th Angel, Kaoru, has been destroyed, the world should be safe. But the secret organization, SEELE, has made it's choice, NERV must be destroyed and mankind must make it's next evolutionary step. It's up to the two remaining children, Asuka and Shinji to stop them. But how can they, Asuka has lost all confidence in herself and can hardly function, while Shinji has gone into a catatonic state after having to destroy the 17th Angel, the only person who was ever able to understand him.

As the members of NERV try to fight for their lives, Commander Ikari prepares to awaken Adam, and begin the Third Impact. The battle that follows sets the stage for The End of Evangelion, the final chapter of human kind's existence.

I really loved the ending of Evangelion. Sure, it was confusing (I used the term esoteric earlier) but it was extremely cathartic. The characters finally achieved the growth that they wanted, and finally exorcised their
inner demons. I have nothing against it, but I love this movie far more.

Rebirth is a first rate action film. The battle scene between Asuka's Eva Unit 2 and SEELE's ground forces and their Eva Series is quite possible one of the greatest action sequences in all the films I've seen. And how it
concludes is quite possibly one of the most graphic and disturbing moments in the entire series.

Those who wish to see how the battle concludes must wait until The End arrives. This film takes the best aspects of the series and combines it into a single 45 minute show.

9 out of 10

A very nice transfer, although there are a few moments in Death that (although I know these were re-animated for the theatrical release) look like there were stolen directly from the TV show and just had black bars added to the top and bottom of the screen.

8 out of 10

The 5.1 mix is excellent, especially in Rebirth. The 2.0 is well done in both English and Japanese.

9 out of 10

- Commentary by Amanda Winn Lee, Jason C. Lee, and Taliesin Jaffe
- Evangelion Index
- Photo Gallery
- Japanese Production Credits
- Trailers and Previews for End of Evangelion and other Manga Videos

The commentary track is pretty good. It gives a few interesting incites into the English production of Evangelion, some of the symbolism, and also
some well needed levity.

The index is of use only to those who have no idea
what the hell is going on and is, in my opinion, far more effective than Evangelion: Death.

8 out of 10

This is a pretty good presentation of the first two Evangelion films. It'll be interesting to see how well Manga does with The End of Evangelion. The commentary alone would be worth the purchase price.

OVERALL DVD RATING: 9 out of 10

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