Eric's Grade: B
This is the second in the 'Rebuild of Evangelion' series of four films based on the 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' anime series. It continues the story of Shinji Ikari, primarily, who is one of the adolescent pilots of large Evangelion mechs that are used to fight off alien entities known as Angels. Shinji also happens to be the son of NERV leader Gendo which is the Japanese agency empowered to utilize resources to develop the Evangelions and fight Angels. The first film was really an introduction to the world and Shinji's place in it along with his fellow pilot Rei and the support structure surrounding himself and the pilots. This sequel is nominally a continuation of the battles against the angels, but also adds an additional unit and pilot named Asuka who alters the whole dynamic. We are also introduced to a European pilot named Mari who shows up strategically throughout. There is more plot involving Shinji developing as a person and him bonding with the other pilots,however, the story is primarily fighting Angels. There is some other super secret, high level organization with a overarching agenda that we only get hints at. With two more movies to go in the series it would seem that will come more and more to the forefront as the narrative as a whole moves forward. There are added wrinkles thrown in such as an autonomous mode for the Evangelion units as well as a "berserk" mode which removes a lot of safeties and limitations, but also puts the pilot at severe risk. The last act of '2.0' morphs from a pretty solid, straightforward narrative into a much more surrealistic, impressionistic display. It is not that the story becomes less focused, but as the abilities of the machines and pilots are flexed combined with Angel interaction very bizarre things occur including a somewhat cliffhanger ending that finishes this chapter off with an exclamation point.
I actually enjoyed '2.0' better than the first film. I had the established characters down and it was easier to assimilate and enjoy them, and the new characters, within the framework of this universe which I now had some knowledge about. The character design including Evangelions and Angels are creative and entertaining to watch in action. It is also interesting, if a bit mind bending, to observe the imaginative turns the story takes in the latter portion. Kind of like a video game I enjoy seeing these characters ramp up in experience and power level, and that is reflected in the battles they engage in. I wonder if the whole larger story will become clear and accessible, but that is not an overriding concern watching this story. I am not sure I quite understood it all, and I am not even positive I was meant to understand it all, but it was engrossing, entertaining and made me excited to see what they do with the next chapter.
I actually enjoyed '2.0' better than the first film. I had the established characters down and it was easier to assimilate and enjoy them, and the new characters, within the framework of this universe which I now had some knowledge about. The character design including Evangelions and Angels are creative and entertaining to watch in action. It is also interesting, if a bit mind bending, to observe the imaginative turns the story takes in the latter portion. Kind of like a video game I enjoy seeing these characters ramp up in experience and power level, and that is reflected in the battles they engage in. I wonder if the whole larger story will become clear and accessible, but that is not an overriding concern watching this story. I am not sure I quite understood it all, and I am not even positive I was meant to understand it all, but it was engrossing, entertaining and made me excited to see what they do with the next chapter.