Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth

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kish b ★★★★★ Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth is a strange, beautiful, and utterly essential piece of the Evangelion puzzle, even if it feels like a fever dream caught between two eras. Released in 1997 as the first theatrical follow-up to the TV series, it’s really two films in one: - "Death" is a bold, almost avant-garde 67-minute recap of episodes 1–24, re-edited with new animation, a breathtaking string-quartet sequence, and a hypnotic flow that turns familiar moments into something haunting and new. - "Rebirth" is the first 27 minutes of what would eventually become The End of Evangelion, raw, unfinished, and electrifying, leaving you on the edge of your seat when the screen suddenly cuts to black. Taken on its own, it’s messy and incomplete by design (Gainax literally ran out of money and time), yet that very imperfection gives it a unique, almost documentary-like intensity. You’re watching history being made in real time: the bridge between the controversial TV ending and the apocalyptic masterpiece that was still being born. For years it was the only way to see those precious early minutes of End of Evangelion on the big screen, and the "Death" portion, despite later being refined into Death(true)², still has a dreamy, trance-like power that the cleaner version doesn’t quite replicate. Flawed? Yes. Fascinating? Absolutely. A historical artifact, a work of art, and a testament to how far Anno and his team were willing to push themselves. If you love Evangelion, you need to experience this version at least once. It’s the sound of a masterpiece struggling to be born, and it’s unforgettable. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Holy T just a recap but a good representation of one Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member visually striking, but in the end is a continuation of the worst part of the show, the philosophical bullshit that covered the lack of control in the script. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member This film serves as nothing more than a recap of the series, and if you haven't seen the original, you wouldn't have any idea what these clips from the show mean out of context. I'm not really sure why this was even made. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Basically a retelling of the series. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member A staple watch for the fans. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth

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