Neon Genesis Evangelion Director's Cut
Publisher
ADV
Director
Hideaki Anno
Production
GAINAX, Project Eva, TV Tokyo
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
6 episodes of a 26 episode series
Year
2004
Neon Genesis Evangelion Director's Cut: Genesis Reborn (eps. 24-26)
By John Huxley
22nd Aug 04  Having had plenty of time to reflect on Evangelion's controversial finale, the arrival of this director's cut edition is the perfect excuse to revisit and perhaps reassess this classic title. Containing both the original and extended directors cut versions of episodes 24-26, it's safe to say that this DVD is a must buy for dedicated collectors and fans alike. The first volume of the directors cut was something of a revelation, introducing new scenes and other additions that complimented and enhanced what was already a fantastic piece of animation. With such an abstract ending giving Hideaki Anno lots of room to play around with, surely the second and final volume of the director's cut is certain to be nothing but a total success? Unfortunately the answer to that question isn't quite as clear-cut as you might think. Where before the new additions were prominent and plentiful, I honestly struggled to distinguish the old from the new when I came to watch these final few episodes. Chalk this up to pure boneidolness if you will (I'm not going to argue), but I feel that the abstract and inherently confusing nature of the presentation that runs throughout these episodes immediately lessens the impact of any new scenes or additions. You simply can't fully appreciate a 24 second addition when it's sandwiched in-between several equally perplexing and seemingly frivolous scenes that make up a much larger whole. That said, I'm certain all the enhancements and alterations that Anno has made to his director's cut are present and correct as they should be, and I've no doubt fans of the series will revel in these changes even if their impact is negligible at best. For those of you who don't know or can't remember (unlikely), the bulk of Evangelion offered up mostly clear and straightforward narratives, but during the last two episodes all attempt to follow convention is abandoned in favour of a lengthy and mostly unintelligible character analysis. The first time I watched this I'll admit that I was utterly perplexed. Perhaps I was caught off-guard by the seemingly untimely 180 degree change in direction (the 24th episode is relatively straightforward), but the more likely scenario is that I simply couldn't comprehend this nonstop, breakneck speed overload of information that's force-fed without pause for breath. However, my understanding of this undoubtedly bizarre ending unsurprisingly improved with repeat viewings, and with this being my third or fourth time around, I think I finally feel comfortable in saying that 'I get it...kinda' (in as far as I want to 'get it'; there's plenty of room for further analysis but I'm not eager to delve any further than surface level). This might have something to do with the remixed director's cut edit adding an extra level of clarity, I don't know for sure. Whatever the case may be, it's safe to say that this isn't exactly the total overhaul that some may have preferred. There's no final battle with the ultimate angel (actually there is, but it's rather subdued), no unexpected plot twists and certainly no alternate ending where Shinji and the gang throw a big party to celebrate losing his virginity. The alterations and additions might well be too subtle for their own good, but I've always been of the opinion that this was a fine ending in the first place. Why fix it if it ain't broke? Evangelion, even during its more frivolous and lighthearted moments, has always been about characters and their relationships to one another, and this ending is nothing more than an expansion of these established themes. Yes, it's confusing and arguably pointless (especially considering that the majority of the conclusions drawn from this analysis should have been obvious from the get go) but it's also quite appropriate when you consider the direction the series was heading. Reverting back to type would have been more disappointing. However, if you did feel let down by this ending, I honestly can't recommend that you invest in this new director's edition. With the most noticeable enhancement being the reinstated Japanese overlays (with English subtitles, of course!) you're unlikely to find anything that will drastically alter your opinion here. It may be less impressive than the first volume of the director's cut, but it's no less essential for the collector.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English and Japanese 2.0 audio, English subtitles, clean open/close, Evangelion live action preview, ADV previews
Release information: UK 16th August 2004, ADV
Notes: The cover features a rather striking image of a certain Eva unit cast in heavy shadow. It's not immediately eye catching, but it is very pretty indeed. The single page leaflet included inside the box showcases some more colour artwork along with a chapter listing, while the DVD menus are in keeping with last volume, mimicking the NERV computer displays that play such an integral part of the animation itself. They're as easy to navigate as you might expect, offering up both the original and director's cut versions with the flick of a switch. Extras are once again thin on the ground, but the Evangelion live action preview (which is basically a slide show of production art for the movie) is a nice addition.
-- John Huxley 22nd Aug 04
Neon Genesis Evangelion Director's Cut Images       
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