Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Anime Movie Review

Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Information:
Other Names: Evangelion Shin Gekijouban: Ha, Rebuild of Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, Evangelion 2.22, ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:破. 
Studio: Khara
Writer: Hideaki Anno
Director: Hideaki Anno (chief), Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki
Music: Shirō Sagisu 
Type: Reboot, Movie, Sequel
Length: 1 hour, 52 min
Genres: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Rating: R-17+
Air Date: 27th July 2009
Recommendations: Madoka Magica Movies & Densetsu Kyojin Ideon: Hatsudou-hen
(Source: MAl & Wikipedia)

Synopsis:
In the earliest battles against the monstrous Angels, young Eva pilots Shinji and Rei were forced to carry humanity's hopes on their shoulders. Now, with the deadly onslaught of the Angels escalating and the apocalyptic Third Impact looming, Shinji and Rei find their burden shared by two new Eva pilots, the fiery Asuka and the mysterious Mari. Maneuvering their enormous Eva machines into combat, the four young souls fight desperately to save mankind from the heavens—but will they be able to save themselves? (Source: MAL)

Review:
What makes a good sequel and reboot? (especially in film) What I believe makes a good sequel is that it builds of the original, adding new ideas into the mix while staying true to the old ones, which can also be said for reboots. Does Evangelion 2.0 do this? Is it better than its predecessor or even the critically acclaimed Neon Genesis Evangelion? Well yes to the first and No to the second.

Why would I say this, well to start I'll go over the differences between this and the original series, well no not the differences but I'll be comparing them a lot as this film is where the true changes take place in the story unlike in the previous film. 
One such change is the overall direction the film takes, with many events that happen earlier on and characters coming into light that either appear earlier on or are completely original, this isn't so bad if you haven't seen the original series before but if you have its up to you to decide whether you liked these changes or not, as for me I didn't mind most of the changes, however I felt the series lacked a bit in terms of the weirder aspects due to the dumbing down of the plot that occurs so new watchers can understand what is going on better, but as said before this takes away the experience the original gave us with its abstract story and strange mythology that made Evangelion, what it was.

Instead the plot is more watered done, having an easier storyline to follow which is great for the newcomers but fans of the TV series may feel disappointed at the result; though I must say that the world building is great in this film adding plenty of background lore to the scene that may even interest older fans. 

But as said if you've never seen the original this won't bother you as much, so now for the story, the film takes place directly after the last film the characters fight another three more angels, so a very similar set up as well; the battles themselves I must also add, thanks to well done directing in that department with some good pacing to go alongside as each sequence feels different from the last with great changes in execution that I felt added to the film as a whole, greatly more than the previous film. This is also helped by the animation which is still as stunning as ever, even more so than its predecessor, that just keeps on getting better until the conclusion; this partnered with the refined art style is truly a treat for the eyes.

Similarly to this another aspect approved upon from the previous films is the stress from fighting angels having effects on the characters both in good and bad ways, creating a good amount of development for out three main characters Shiji, Rei and new characters Asuka, though I found Asuka development to be done a little to rushed especially in the romance department. While both Rei and Shinji get the better development over the course of 2 hour long film, having had prior development in the previous film it makes a nice addition. Additional in the Asuka department (this is purely for the older fans) she is much less annoying in this version, even if I must likeable which still partners well with her psychological problems even if they are not as strong as before.  

But it's not just the main characters that deserve sometime in the spotlight, as they are performed well while also having a good role in the story rather than just being background characters, they actually help move the plot along and help the main characters through there developments. One in particular who I'd like to mention is Mari the new original character not featured in 1995 series, she is a great addition to the cast having a different viewpoint of the evas then our main cast of pilots, as she so far is the only character so far to enjoy piloting them which makes her quite a fun character. 

The last point I would like to make is in reference to the sound, in both the "special effects" and soundtrack departments. Firstly the special effects is in the reference to the more basic sounds like running sounds, or gunfire, that sort of stuff; so in light of this I must say that the use of these sounds in well done throughout the film, in particular in the battle against the 8th angel, when all the evas are running the sounds used are a nice touch with realistic sounding water splash and tree breaking down as they crushed helps create a realistic feel to the machines and the sounds made when the evas run on the solid ground or metal plating helps create a sense of scale as to how bug the evas are. 


The soundtrack is by far the jewel of the show as composer Shirō Sagisu takes control of the music again using new original songs that fit the tone of each scene well, while also sounding like something from the 1995 TV series which helps create the Evangelion feeling, while keeping older songs in to add to the experience. The insert songs and ending song was also a nice touch as they fit the tone of the show with their cold and depressing sounds that resonate well with that particular scene that they are placed in. 

In conclusion Evangelion 2.0 is much watch for fans of the previous film and any Mecha fan to be honest thanks to directing that leads a great cast of character through a developing and interesting world even if that world ends on a cliff-hanger. Though on another hand fans of the original series be warned as it may be a bit of disappointment to you as it lacks the truly weird scenes and tone that made the original what it is. 

Final scores:
Setting/Story: 8.5
Characters: 8.6
Art/Animation: 9.4
Sound: 9.6

Final Score: 9.1/10

Mawaru Penguindrum Anime Review

Mawaru Penguindrum
Information:
Other Names: Penguindrum, 輪るピングドラム.
Studio: Brain's Base
Writer: Kunihiko Ikuhara, Takayo Ikami
Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
Music: Yukari Hashimoto
Length: 24 episodes, 24 min per episode approx.
Type: Original, TV Series
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Psychological, Tragedy, Magical Girl
Rating: R-17+
Air Dates: 8th July 2011 - 23rd Dember 2011
Recommendations: Yuri Kuma Arashi & Steins Gate

Synopsis:
Once you make a decision, does the universe conspire to make it happen? Is destiny a matter of chance, a matter of choice or the complex outcome of thousands of warring strands of fate? All twins Kanba and Shoma know is that when their terminally ill sister Himari collapses at the aquarium, her death is somehow temporarily reversed by the penguin hat that she had asked for. It's a provisional resurrection, however, and it comes at a price: to keep Himari alive they need to find the mysterious Penguin Drum. In order to do that, they must first find the links to a complex interlocking chain of riddles that has wrapped around their entire existence, and unravel the knots that tie them to mystifying diary and a baffling string of strangers and semi-acquaintances who all have their own secrets, agendas and "survival strategies." And in order for Himari to live, someone else's chosen destiny will have to change. It's a story of love, fate, life, death... and Penguins! 

Review:
Penguindrum, a weird show that blends mystery and comedy in strange and odd ways, while tossing around the concept of fate.
Fate is strange thing, many think it to be a straight line that must be followed and will never be broken, but what happens when that line diverts and becomes a new line, well that is concept of the series Penguindrum, set within a strange world where ones fate can be changed, though not with consequences. This helps create a setting that is rick with good story but still stays fun to watch.

But thanks to great story and directing, this excellency wasn't lost and became something of a special show, with great symbolism behind it. But first I must say thanks to writer for creating a well blend of mystery and comedy, due to unpredictability of the series that will generally have you on the edge of your seat, as the world unravels before you. As said before the show has great comedy written into, though I the humour is mainly told through I group of small penguins that follow around the main characters and that they can only see; the interactions between them are very funny if you enjoy slapstick type comedy as they can't speak.

But back to the story overall the plot was engaging making you think about what happens, while remaining fun to watch with great pacing through near the start of show it can feel like a drag but once it starts going, you won't want to put it down until you reach the ending which ends in a most satisfying way, that just feels as great as breathing a breath of fresh air. Though I felt that another point that drove the satisfaction this fair was the use of the OST in great ways, as the director used the correct music for right scenes making the show more remembrance to me, though it mainly struck me during those really dramatic moments as the sounds become heavy and stand out a lot adding the series as a whole.

But what makes this show what it is?
Well allow me to answer that for you, everything in this show is possible thanks to its characters otherwise it could have fallen into ruin. As each character is complex and mysterious, having a great deal of back-story shown while getting a great amount of development over the course of the 24 episodes; well just the main characters get the development but most of the supporting characters get great roles that show of their twisted and strange personalities to the fullest with some additional back story as a nice bonus.
An additional bonus I will bring up is the character design, know I found not all the characters had the best of designs, the better ones did with some of my favourites being the truly mysterious characters like Sanetoshi who was a true mystery from to start being one of the better characters of the series, though I found the main characters to have fun and different appearances that helped them stick out from the crowd.

 Speaking of sticking out, the primary art style used in this series is a great addition helping the show stand out from the rest, which is also helped by the changes in art every now and then to the odder art styles all the way to the occasionally chibi art style. Though this art could have been greatly improved upon if the animation was up to the arts quality, now don't get me wrong the art can look amazing especially during the transformation sequences which are one of the highlights of the show especially when the insert song (Rock Over Japan) is played along making the overall sequence more fun to watch, however the animation outside this is satisfactory at best, adding nothing the show.
This could not be said for the opening animations that play, which are well crafted being one of the highlights in that department, which could be said for the opening music tracks as well as they mix in with the tone of the show, having a very mystic feel to them. This could also be said about the eds as some of them look nice and sound create, however the majority I found weren't worth my time as they felt much hit and miss.

In conclusion if you want a great story driven or overall exciting mystery series this is the show for you, thanks to great to amazing setting that mixes in well with story, while having a rich character base full of twisted and complex personalities.

Final Scores:
Story/Setting: 9.0
Characters: 8.5
Art/Animation: 8.1
Sound: 9.2

Final Verdict: 8.8/10