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Anime
Synopsis:
AT THE DAW OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM, MANKIND HAS
AWAKENED A THREAT UNLIKE ANY FACED BEFORE - THE ANGELS. Conventional
weapons are useless against them. They can only be stopped by
the means of the Evangelions - bio-engineered vessels born from
the Angels' own technology. But this forbidden knowledge is
also the key to bringing about a startling new genesis for the
human race. Placed in the hands of three young pilots, the final
fate of humanity resting upon their shoulders, the Evas are
the World's last hope.
DVD EXTRAS:
• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only) • Animated,
Color, Widescreen • Mokuji Interactive Feature and Commentary
by Amanda Winn Lee (English Language Director, and voice of Rei
Ayanami) • Theatrical trailer(s) • Subtitle options for Dialogue
& On-screen Text • In-depth index of Characters, Angels, Evas
& Terms • Photo Gallery • Japanese Production Credits • End of
Evangelion Preview • Manga Previews • Web Links • Manga Fan Club
• Widescreen letterbox format
KNOWN DVD SECRET(S): None
that I know of
DVD REVIEW:
One of the most popular
Japanese animation's of all time, "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
is given star treatment from Manga Entertainment who own the rights
of the first half to the conclusion of the series.
When I say star treatment,
Manga Entertainment delivers because this is perhaps one of the
most beautiful anime on DVD at this time. Not only is it packed
with special features galore (which is surely lacking in anime
DVD's), it also features a Mokuji Interactive feature for the
seasoned Evangelion fans eager to know more about the series.
Also, it features an awesome menu screen that makes you just want
to kick back and just watch. Beautifully designed!
Before I go on to the
special features, a little background on this film. In 1997, Gainax
released "Death & Rebirth" which are two films and
the first half of the conclusion to "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
(the second and final conclusion is the "The End of Evangelion"
film).
Originally, fans in
Japan were not to happy with the final episodes of Evangelion
and the truth is, how can a series like Eva be completed in a
30-minute episode. "Death & Rebirth", the first half of the ground-breaking
epic was released.
The first half of the
film starts out with "Death"; an orchestrated retelling
of episodes 1 through 24 which includes new animated sequences
and insight into the personal worlds of the characters conceived
by the series' director Hideki Anno.
The second half of the
film is "Rebirth"; where we see an alternate vision
of episode 25 of the original series. In this version, SEELE (the
secret international organization behind the development of both
the Evangelion project and the Human Complementation Project)
is concerned about how the projects' director, Ikari Gendo, is
proceeding. Convinced that Gendo is implementing his own plans,
they decide to wrest control of the projects, capture EVA Unit-01
and to undertake a full-scale invasion of Central Dogma and to
literally destroy NERV using the nine-production model Evangelions.
For followers of the
television series, the films are a must and "Death &
Rebirth" is a wonderful first half which many Evangelion
fans will be proud of.
But even more, Evangelion
fans will be proud of the DVD. This DVD should set a high standard
for anime DVD's with simply the most beautiful menu I have ever
seen on an anime DVD and also packed with features which include,
the English and Japanese trailers for the film, audio commentary
by the English language director and voice actress of Rei Ayanami,
Amanda Win Lee. An indepth index of characters, Angels, Evas and
Terms, photo gallery, the End of Evangelion preview and much more.
The DVD is featured
in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound (English only) and is in letterbox
format. The film sounds beautiful with its awesome soundtrack
and action scenes. The Japanese stereo track is available as well
as English subtitles for dialogue and on-screen text.
As for those who worry
that their favorite English dub actors may be different with this
Manga Entertainment release, they shouldn't because all key roles
in the English language version of "Death and Rebirth"
are reprised by the voice-actors from the "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
series.
The true gem is the
Mokuji Interactive Feature which allows the viewer to select from
an on-screen, chapter specific index of Eva-related terms, character
descriptions and other valuable information while viewing the
film.
This DVD in our mind
is worthy of an A+ and should set a standard in showing the anime
industry how anime DVD's should be. A beautiful film and a high
quality DVD. Highly recommended!
THE MOVIE: A+
THE DVD EXTRAS: A+
THE DVD OVERALL: A+
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