EVANGELION
2.22 picks up the story where EVANGELION 1.11 left off. It starts to break off from the storyline in the animated series
and go in new directions. You have a new EVA pilot, Mari, who pushes herself to the edge whenever she pilots an Evangelion
unit. She even calls Shinji on his crap that he is a whiny bitch (one of my favorite parts of this movie). EVANGELION
2.22: YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE uses animation technologies and lots of CG animation that wasn't available when they did the animated
series.
The second film introduces Asuka and additional characters. Shinji and his father never quite
bond and are distant from each other no matter how they try to come together (or Rei attempting to get them closer like a
dinner which is interrupted by events beyond their control). The teenage pilots asked to pilot the giant Evangelion
units go through various stresses and try to handle in their own ways. Shinji mostly fails to deal with it because he
doesn't want the responsibilities that come with it- he is forced to react (and sometimes control is taken from him).
I really love the attitude of the new character Mari who is even more into the piloting of the Evas than
Asuka is. Mari will even risk her life without question to stop the horrible Angels who seek to bring the end to the
world and start the Third Impact.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Disc 1 has trailers from other Funimation releases and an audio commentary with the US
voice cast.
Disc 2 has a variety of Japanese TV spots, Blu-ray/
DVD spots, and the original theatrical trailer. They also have a few omitted scenes that are in rough animation form
in addition to a remixed scene from the final film. I do wish the REBUILD OF EVANGELION 2.02 was more than just showing the various
stages of animation from the film set to music from the film. like with the previous EVANGLEION DVD release
for the first film, I wish there was a running audio commentary from the crew who worked on this film and interviews.
The 40 page booklet that comes with the set does explain a little bit, but I do wish there were more behind-the-scenes
extras.
FINAL ANALYSIS: EVANGELION 2.22 serves to break
from the animated series and become it's own beast. It is amazing and I can't wait to see the third film.
this DVD review is (c)4-3-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without
permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
