Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, Masayuki
- animation
- science fiction
- action
- drama
The story
After the Second Impact, Tokyo-3 is being attacked by giant monsters called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind. The child Shinji’s objective is to fight the Angels by piloting one of the mysterious Evangelion mecha units. A remake of the first six episodes of GAINAX’s famous 1996 anime series. The film was retitled “Evangelion: 1.01” for its DVD release and “Evangelion: 1.11” for a release with additional scenes.
What it’s like
Hand-drawn character animation sits over glossy CG cityscapes, so the giant machines glide and crash through bright, sun-washed streets, while the interiors of the NERV headquarters turn to cold white corridors, humming consoles and red warning lights. Camera moves are restless, with fast cuts, tilted frames and sudden stillness during quiet moments between battles. The score by Shiro Sagisu swings between sweeping orchestral swells and pulsing electronic beats, and it often drops out entirely so that a single breath or the grind of a hatch fills the room. The overall vibe is anxious and wintry, a blend of spectacle and loneliness that suits a late-night watch or a stretch of uninterrupted time alone. The pacing is brisk in the action and deliberately slow in the emotional scenes, which follow a boy who is pushed into a role he never wanted and struggles to connect with the adults around him. Violence is frequent and sometimes graphic: Angel attacks involve crushing destruction, pilots are hurt in visceral ways, and blood appears in short, sharp bursts, while dread and psychological strain carry more weight than gore. It is best for mecha fans and viewers who enjoy melancholy science fiction about isolation, family strain and fear.
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