When I went to Singapore for AFA ‘09, I had the pleasure of catching Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. The film has yet to arrive in Malaysia, but insider info said that we will likely see the movie come to local screens somewhere around April.

That being said, while my fellow Malaysians wait patiently for the movie to arrive (or DVDrips, whichever comes first) I shall gloat about the fact that I’ve seen the movie, uncensored, and enjoyed every minute of it. I don’t remember much of the movie now to write a proper review like on ANN (non-spoiler) or RIUVA (total spoilers), only a few things that made me go ‘wow’ or ‘holy shit!’, so here is my (non) review of Evangelion 2.0.

Hideaki Anno Lost His Noodles

If I start talking about this, I’ll have no choice but to mention spoilers. I’ll just refrain from saying that, but instead I’ll give you a hint: Trans-Am. You figure out the rest.

Illustrious. Illustrious. Illustrious!

I’ve been a fan of Maaya Sakamoto since the day I first heard Hemisphere, the OP for Rahxephon. For a long time, her sweet voice has brought many lovely anime characters to life. Some of my favourites back then were Hitomi (Escaflowne), Haruhi (Ouran Host Club), Reika (Rahxephon) and Lunamaria (Gundam SEED Destiny).

In 2007, I was totally shocked and awed by her performance in Kara no Kyoukai as the dark psychopathic Shiki. Soon after, I’ve been hearing her darker tones when she voiced Alphard (Canaan) and Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII). When I heard that she was cast as Mari in 2.0, I’ve been very curious which voice she would be doing. Light and sweet, or dark and cool? I figured it would be great, either way.

As it turns out, Mari’s voice was the old, sweet, flighty voice. She just sounds so cute you’d think she’s just a moe token. Oh, how brutally mistaken I was.

Everyone knew that Mari would be piloting EVA 02 instead of Asuka, but I for one never thought she would totally turn batshit insane inside it. Like, a sweet, psychotic, bloodthirsty moe powerhouse. With bared fangs and glowing green eyes. My heart rate shot up throughout the whole carnage and it was sweet, sinful, bliss.

Fancy Graphics 1.0, Fancier Graphics 2.0

I don’t particularly remember the names of the Angels, but I do remember their characteristics. In 1.0, the diamond-shaped angel got a fantastic remake and it was absolutely brilliant. I was wondering what kind of angel would get a remake in 2.0, and my first guess was that whale angel, that got a battleship shoved down its throat. But that didn’t happen.

What got remade instead was the big butterfly angel, the one that fell from the sky like a huge bomb. Oh, it was a very beautiful remake, by the way. Seeing three EVAs run through the city, sending everything flying in their wake just to catch the bastard, it was an amazing experience.

Aural Vertigo

The most entertaining part about watching 2.0 in the cinema was the fantastic sound system. The film was made with 8ch audio, and they really took advantage of it. In the command centre(s) where there would be like, 20 officers reporting all sorts of vital combat information, and the commander in the centre would be hearing things from all directions.

That’s exactly what we felt – different reports coming in from different directions, like we really were inside that command centre. The immersion was simply amazing. If anything, the film must be seen in a cinema or if you have to watch it at home, you have listen to it in at least a 5.1 surround system to do it any justice.

Creepy and Epic Music

So like, remember the scene when EVA 01 beat the crap out of the Angel-infested EVA 03, and destroyed the pilot inside the cockpit? Now, reimagine that scene. A blood-soaked EVA, eating the guts out of another EVA, and threatening to crush the entry plug, pilot still inside.

Imagine that scene, paired with a cheerful children’s sing-along lullaby song. Sung sweetly by Megumi Hayashibara, backed by a children choir. With a guitar gently strumming away in the background.

Blood still dripping from the mouth of a berserk EVA 01.

It was creepy as hell. Creepier than Jigoku Shoujo, even.

The rest of the movie, however, has a brilliant epic orchestra score playing throughout most of the battle scenes. Sagisu Shirou seems to really take advantage of the London Symphony Orchestra and its choir. The opera songs are still in English like in 1.0, but the choir can be heard in more songs this time. Lyrics still dark and was practically filled with dread and doom, by the way.

One song I love in particular is aptly titled Carnage. If you haven’t guessed it yet, it comes on when Mari goes into her sweet psycho berserk moe mode. *grins*

You Must (Not) See It.

I have never really been that big of an Evangelion fan, but I have always thought that it was a really good show, and I honestly think the younger generation should drop Naruto/One Piece/Bleach and watch some true quality anime instead. After watching Rebuilds 1.0 and 2.0, I am now convinced that Evangelion is definitely a show that must not be missed.

It has vastly improved, technically, aesthetically and even culturally. Standing atop a unique industry all on its own, Rebuild of Evangelion marks the pinnacle of how far an anime title can go. If the movie is showing in a cinema near you, do watch it.

Preferably with lots of popcorn, and in the company of other otaku so you can go oooh and aaah over everything :p

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