Evangelion production design shots

[Chain Lightning]

This pre-production artwork doesn't particularly get me drooling. I mean, how does it really differ from design work from the actual anime? I'm more anxious in seeing the stills or moving images of actual live-action shots.

Not coming out till 2010?!? That seems sillly. You sure about that rumor?

WETA or not, I'm really wondering who's set to write & direct this film. It is of my opinion that most sci-fi/fantasy directors in Japan kinda suck. They just don't seem to get it. the storytelling abilities just really are way off. Mostly with pacing. If its going to be directed in the same style as Gunhed, Zieram, Moon Over Tao, etc, etc,....then I think we're in for a crappy movie with beautiful digital effects.

My criticism may be a bit harsh. But I am just really skeptical about Japanese live-action sci-fi. I hope I'm proven wrong and who ever is directing the film is good. We'll see I guess. I wonder who they're getting to play the three teenagers.

 

[tetsujin28]

2010?! Most companies don't even last that long.

 

[RangerWickett]

Man, Japanese storytelling techniques just don't tend to work the same way as American ones. A lot more pauses to reflect, a lot more subdued acting usually, and emotional bursts that Americans find ridiculous when they do start to get pissed.

EVA. . . . hmm. I really couldn't see much to like in Shinji in the early episodes. I mean, in the first episode, he is just whiny. You don't see any reason behind him being so unwilling to help. I mean, sure, it makes no sense that you'd ask a kid to pilot a giant robot, and indeed, I was pretty pissed at both sides of the argument because no one was explaining anything. There was way too much previous baggage that didn't get explained until a few episodes later.

I enjoyed the series, but the beginning was weak, and the end (ends) was/were inconsistent.

 

[Mog Elffoe]

Well, since you asked...

I was going to write a big, long post about why I dislike Evangelion so much, but instead I remembered this review which mirrors my own feelings pretty closely (warning, that link contains language that would make Eric's gradma blush). This scathing review of Eva does get a couple of things wrong about the show, but for the most part it describes my own feelings about that anime series perfectly.

It was especially correct regarding my feelings on Shinji. Whom I never saw as sympathetic, just a whiny, angsty, selfish loser.

I have to say that I totally agree with that review of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime. I was with the series and thorughly enjoyed it up until the last two DVDs. I watched Death & Rebirth and End of Evangelion hoping that they might redeem the series, but no, unfortunately, they just made it worse.

That said, I will definitely go see the live action movie, if only for some cool giant robot action.

 

[tetsujin28]

Well, the creator never wanted to do those. And I think it shows.

 

[TempSn]

Well, the creator never wanted to do those. And I think it shows.

EOE was basically Anno giving the two fingered salute to all the fans. But, yeah 2010, although i am not sure if that is true.

 

[Haradim]

I'd honestly be surprised if many 'Eva-isms' make it into the movie.

I plan on seeing it for two reasons:

1) (hopefully) Great visual effects
2) To see how badly they mangle the series

I'm expecting an Eva-inspired mecha beat-em-up, that does away with or conceals the pseudo-religious elements, young teen angst, and troubled nature of the characters. Ie, much of the stuff that makes NGE, NGE (good or bad as that may be). I don't see a lot of those elements as being popular in a 'real movie' to be released to anime lovers/haters alike. And I doubt they would want anyone suing them or calling for bans/boycotts because of the religious elements.

Nonetheless, I expect to be disappointed by all but the fight scenes.

 

[Kilmore]

It looks really cool. Hopefully it will work out for the best. Personally, I'm against anglicizing the character names, not because I'm some kind of knee-jerk purist, but simply because, let's face it, Evangelion is a big Japanese robot thing. Keeping the names Japanese will reinforce that. Besides Asuka's got names in a couple different languages.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

not because I'm some kind of knee-jerk purist.

I, however, AM...but since this is Eva, and I don't like it all that much anyway...eh, let em do it. Though it'll be painful to hear...

 

[demiurge1138]

Since I believe that the Eva movie will all but eliminate the pretentious psychological analysis of its characters, tone down the religious symbolism and concentrate on the mecha-vs-kaiju battles...

I'm going to like it. Better than the series, anyways.

Demiurge out.

Edit: Now that I've seen the production drawings, I have the utmost confidence in this film. Why? Because among the drawings is production art for Ramiel, the silver-octahedron-of-doom Angel. This makes me happy.