Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Several years has passed since the previous installment and I simply could not remember where the story has stopped. Therefore, I decided to revise the whole thing starting from 1995's original. It took me about 18 hours and I must say it was a good time as always. It took me back more than 20 years, when I watched it for the first time. I was overwhelmed by it. It made me think of my life from a different perspective and I even made some changes as I thought for the best.

Now, two decades later, I can see that most of my dreams did not come true and I am still a little boy trying to find my place among other people, find myself. While watching Eva today, I have remembered my friends from school and university, teachers, family members long gone, colleagues from my very first job - and how they all were really nice to me, though I didn't noticed it at that time. After all those years, Evangelion still resonates in my heart, even more than it was at the first time.

For me 21st century Evangelion movies were something that kept me going through my life. Every time things went from bad to worse I thought that I need to live long enough to see that upcoming Evangelion move. And now, the project that occupied Hideaki's mind for more than 20 years is released. So was it a good movie? Well in a matter of fact - yes. I wasn't expecting any revelations or mind-blowing philosophy, I just wanted to see it all again, and a new movie is quite a good excuse to watch it all from the very beginning. It was pleasant to see old friends, memorable locations, to experience emotions that I felt 20 years ago. I do not care about the plot, action, or CGI - I am just happy seeing Rei smiling again. All the things that I really care are present here. It is a nostalgic movie - it makes you try to remember, try to go back in time to see if you have missed something, not only in the movie but in your life itself. It's also a sad farewell movie, an end of the line, the real end of Evangelion, because there will be nothing more. Evangelion time has passed, now we live in a world without Evas.

I have watched Evangelion when I was just a young student. This is maybe my third time returning to it in more than 20 years. Will I watch Evangelion again? I would love to... Maybe in 10, maybe in another 20 years. But will I live for that long? I am not sure... Most likely, it is a "Goodbye Evangelion" forever. Sayonara old friend. I wish I could see you again for a last time, before I go.

Everyone can relax. It was good.

It took the stunning visuals to the next level.

It stayed true to the characters.

It continued its use of incomprehensible techno-biblical-psychobabble.

The music was incredible.

There's gratuitous fan service.

And I left the experience feeling satisfied even thought I didn't completely understand what I just watched.

Yes, this film will finally answer so many of your burning Eva questions: Will Asuka ever say anything nice?

Will Rei ever learn to be a real person?

Will Shinji ever stop being so depressed?

In the end, it was not the game changer that End of Evangelion was. But it's still a great addition to the story.

Having watched all the films I simply wanted more screen time for Rei and Asuka. Instead I get Shinji again, monopolizing most scenes.

The animation is spectacular and one of the best I have ever seen. The music was also very good, no criticism there. I would have preferred it if the Eva films focused on each character separately.

The ending was OK. I will just go back and re-watch the series.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a franchise unlike any other. Made by a young man struggling with depression, it told the story of a teenager not unlike himself as he thrust into the role of an unwilling hero. It would become successful, infamous, and influential all at the same time, and this is addressed in the best way possible with its one true finale. Now upon first watch, I did much of the film's latter half to be very confusing because of its use of surreal imagery. There were also several things which didn't make sense but I thought it was good. But on the second watch, I realized what all this is truly about. Being human and what it means. It has apparent throughout the franchise that in spite of its popularity among anime fans, often seen as escapists, it was very much against escapism. Doing the research and seeing the real world influences in the story, you realize this isn't Anno's story anymore. It's not just about what him or the fans want, but what's best for its cast of characters. Moving on and growing up are without question the central themes of the film, and plays into how the characters get an ending that's not meant to satisfy the fan, although it still does, but give the character that suffers the ending they needed. Needles to say going back and rewatching for a second time refreshed my idea of what the film and series as a whole were telling us, and I was holding back tears catharsis after the fact.

I'm a fan of the series, I watched the TV series decades ago, and now the Rebuild movies, but they are still inherently flawed in that it has always been almost incomprehensible.

So what is wrong with it? Here's what I find myself saying many times:

1. What does that even mean?!?!

It uses unknown terms in a sentence then again several minutes later as if that would help understand what it meant in the first place. Then when it does use a term that is vaguely familiar, it is used in a completely different manner and context.

2. What is that?!?!

It tries to wow us with imagery and animation that is incomprehensible. I don't even know what I am looking at!

3. What is going on?!?!

The main flaw is the story telling. It only allows a portion of it, just barely enough, to understand what is really going on. Frankly, it could lose the audience.

But hey, I am still a fan, love the characters, most especially Rei, distantly followed by Asuka, and I will watch whatever comes next.