Seele00TextOnly wrote:Let this thread be a clarion call for re-examinations of 2.22 and the exploration of those ideas. Let us not have to defend the films existence or attack the original series
That's really admirable, but, inevitably, I get the feeling that we're going to be treading over a lot of the same ground here -- and some people's feathers might be rustled -- maybe even mine.
I think that it's fair to say that Anno is quite aware of and in support of the messages he made in the original NGE and EoE. I think if we keep that in mind when watching something as apparently interpretable as the final act of 2.22, we might be able to narrow down a few of the possible messages. Some see this and decry poor directing/editing/writing, and that may well be so, but it is often the fan's plight to see past some things to intent.
As I've said, it's not the supposed "message" that is presented that I take issue with -- Anno can say whatever he damn pleases, for all I care. My issue is the presentation in which Anno chooses to deliver us 2.22's climax and Shinji's "fuck the world" statement.
My issue always was and has been Anno's lack of subtlety. In retrospective, EoE even may have been guilty of this, but Shinji's actions in 2.22 and his little "screw you" monologue goes right back to the "viewers are morons" trope. And this is looking at it objectively. I'm not even attempting to assail everything else at this point.
For example, the fact that Shinji's line about not caring about what happens to the world (or, as I prefer to interpret it, not caring if he isn't able to experience the rest of the world anymore) amidst the approval of the score, Misato, and various other 'cinematic grammar' is often interpreted as either an actual earnest support for his decisions and actions or abject 'trolling' on the part of Anno.
It's far too early to call any message that Rebuild is trying to present. That's like trying to objectively say that one knows where Eva was going towards following Episode 14. The only thing we can debate at this point is presentation of what Anno has given us thus far, which I have been consistent with.
However I think there is a third path here. Anno has almost always taken us along with Shinji on his often poor decisions to identify with him, to experience in emotional detail the feelings and perspective he comes from. This allows us to explore what it is like to run away, to give up, to return, to regret, to fight, to win and to lose all along with Shinji in the original series and movie. He often does this with other characters as well... I suppose it's what attracts me most to the franchise. Perhaps it is simple and done often elsewhere as well, but not in this manner... not in this way that I can identify with.
What makes this special now? What makes Anno's method in 2010 spectacular, revolutionary? Nothing. Any brilliance that Anno might be showing in Rebuild is overshadowed by the fact that he's done it before. I can't be impressed or even enjoy something like that with the knowledge that it's really just a watered down remake of the same style and themes. Rebuild gives me nothing original; therefore I have no issue saying it's not a great film by any means.
