“In the War Between Heaven and Earth, Salvation is Machine.
Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.” – Letterboxd Synopsis
If the first rebuild movie was setting up just how messed up and cruel this world is to its children and how important and impactful adult relationships with children are. This movie takes its time to explore the ramifications of the trauma inflicted on these children. And I think it does a really good job at it. So much so that I can look past the flaws that I do have. With that being said, I’m about to gush over this movie for the vast majority of this review because I genuinely was enthralled by it from scene 1.
A lot happens in this movie. At points, the pacing does feel a bit off, but it does hold itself together. There’s more secret plotting, new characters with new secrets, and of course more trauma for everyone involved. The main thing this movie focuses on is what all of these people have issues with and how they seem to cope with it or how it affects them. The baseline problem is recognition and acceptance, and the lack of that they receive and how it affects them in different ways. There are so many great character moments that move the plot forward in this movie. Genuine amazing moments. The only issue I take with this movie and the rebuilds in general is some unnecessary retcons. A lot of the story changes I currently feel whatever about, but there’s a very impactful story beat in the original series that connects each pilot to their EVA, and that’s just non-existent in these rebuild movies, which I think is an actual negative.
On the positive side, though, Shinji’s arc in this movie is so good. His story is the poster for seeking something in someone that they just don’t have in themselves to give you. There are moments in this movie early on where he and his father seem to actually be making a step in the right direction, but Gendo is Gendo. The things that happen to Shinji in this movie at the behest of his father are absolutely vile, but there is this feeling of rising above it all, and Shinji has moments both ways, but this movie is why he is one of the greatest characters ever.
Rei gets a lot of moments in this movie. She really does start to come into her own and break out of whatever shell she’s been in, thanks not only to Shinji, although he’s a major reason, but also being a part of a group of people her age that treat her as such. There’s nothing sacred in this show where a core theme is the use and abuse of children by adults to meet their own goals. So the heartwarming moments really hit extra hard, especially with a character like Rei. Her connection with Gendo is also fleshed out a bit more, which adds more to his character.
Asuka is one of the handful of characters introduced in this movie. I have always loved her characterization and how she transforms the moment she gets around other people her age. A pompous girl with an attitude, that mask slowly starts to slip as feelings arise for Shinji and jealousy of Rei arises and its a reality check to her that for the first time maybe ever in her life she isn’t treated as special, above her colleagues, and even more than that she sees the favoritism that has been extended to Shinji and Rei and her animosity towards that unintentionally leads her into getting to know them both more and learning more about herself. By the end of the movie (and by proxy the same episodes in the og anime), Asuka became one of my favorite characters. And her Eva is sick.
Outside of those guys, a few other characters get a lot in this movie. Gendo in particular is even more fleshed out but still mysterious. In this movie, we see a lot more of the man underneath the monster, but also a lot more of the monster as well. Kaji is introduced, and he’s still as suave and amazing as I remember. There’s just this air of a good person who has to do suspect things. I love his interactions with the children, as he really treats them and values them as such. His moments with Misato are great too. The biggest elephant in the room is Mari, who was created for these films. My problem with her is that she didn’t add anything to this movie, but the way she is included really muddies a lot of lore aspects. She really just seemed to be added to do some cool shit, which was cool, but if she wasn’t in it, I don’t think anything is lost.
The animation is top notch as always. While the action scenes are always cool and really fluid eye candy. In these past two movies, I’ve found myself more in awe of the scenic shots. Moments like the city opening up in the morning for daily life, or the aquarium; there are even some scenes in space in this movie that are awe-inspiring. This series really does have such a distinct visual identity. This is also the movie where one of the trailers used a new cover of Fly Me to the Moon. I have actually been obsessed with that version of the song for over a decade now. It is the best rendition of it to me, bar none.
So yeah, I actually watched this movie twice before writing this and did a lot of googling as well. This is definitely the diverging point between the og series and the remakes. As of this movie, I’m iffy on some of the changes, but regardless, they don’t take away from the fact that this is a beautifully harrowing sequel that still gets a lot right. That still hits on the majority of the main points it needs to. Even with its flaws its still amazing and I enjoyed it more than the first movie.
Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance – 10/10
