Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time 2021 Movie Review
Directors: Mahiro Maeda, Katsuichi Nakayama, Kazuya Tsurumaki
Writer: Hideaki Anno(screenplay)
Stars: Megumi Ogata(voice), Megumi
Several years has passed since the previous installment and I simply could not remember where the story has stopped. Therefore, I decided to revise the whole thing starting from 1995’s original. It took me about 18 hours and I must say it was a good time as always. It took me back more than 20 years, when I watched it for the first time. I was overwhelmed by it. It made me think of my life from a different perspective and I even made some changes as I thought for the best.
Now, two decades later, I can see that most of my dreams did not come true and I am still a little boy trying to find my place among other people, find myself. While watching Eva today, I have remembered my friends from school and university, teachers, family members long gone, colleagues from my very first job – and how they all were really nice to me, though I didn’t noticed it at that time. After all those years, Evangelion still resonates in my heart, even more than it was at the first time.
For me 21st century Evangelion movies were something that kept me going through my life. Every time things went from bad to worse I thought that I need to live long enough to see that upcoming Evangelion move. And now, the project that occupied Hideaki’s mind for more than 20 years is released. So was it a good movie? Well in a matter of fact – yes. I wasn’t expecting any revelations or mind-blowing philosophy, I just wanted to see it all again, and a new movie is quite a good excuse to watch it all from the very beginning. It was pleasant to see old friends, memorable locations, to experience emotions that I felt 20 years ago. I do not care about the plot, action, or CGI – I am just happy seeing Rei smiling again. All the things that I really care are present here. It is a nostalgic movie – it makes you try to remember, try to go back in time to see if you have missed something, not only in the movie but in your life itself. It’s also a sad farewell movie, an end of the line, the real end of Evangelion, because there will be nothing more. Evangelion time has passed, now we live in a world without Evas.
I have watched Evangelion when I was just a young student. This is maybe my third time returning to it in more than 20 years. Will I watch Evangelion again? I would love to… Maybe in 10, maybe in another 20 years. But will I live for that long? I am not sure… Most likely, it is a “Goodbye Evangelion” forever. Sayonara old friend. I wish I could see you again for a last time, before I go.
