Evangelion Movies 16:9?

[oshan]

I remember hearing about a release in region 2 for the EVA movies in 16:9. Can someone point me to a link?

[Hayate Kurogane]

I know the DTS Collector's Edition (http://www.amazon.co.jp/FEATURE-FILMS-GENESIS-EVANGELION-COLLECTORS/dp/B0002ONYIO/sr=8-1/qid=1170468911/ref=sr_1_1/249-7953391-5277943?ie=UTF8&s=dvd) is, since I own it. I believe the regular Renewal volume (http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%8A%87%E5%A0%B4%E7%89%88-NEON-GENESIS-EVANGELION-%E3%81%BE%E3%81%94%E3%81%93%E3%82%8D%E3%82%92%E5%9 0%9B%E3%81%AB/dp/B0000DJ299/sr=8-1/qid=1170468945/ref=sr_1_1/249-7953391-5277943?ie=UTF8&s=dvd) is as well, but I'm not 100% sure on that. I don't see why it wouldn't be.

[Terence]

Yes, the regular release (DD version) is also 16:9. I can confirm this as I own this DD version.

[kakugo]

Both releases are framed to about 1.78:1 anamorphic from a 1080p HD master, and while the DTS version has an extra pixel or two of information on either side both should be just fine. The DD version could theoretically have the better video with higher peak bitrates, though I certainly couldn't spot anything wrong on the DTS version.

[Njr Scrawl]

It will be interesting to see if the TV show compilation movies when released, will (have new scenes and) be made 16:9 anamorphic as well.

[Pyocola]

I thought they were going to be new stories and not compilation movies.

[kakugo]

They are supposed to be new movies, though as to if they'll be better looking re-hashes or brand new stories is anyone's guess.

Anyhow, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death is a 16:9 compilation movie composed almost entirely of the director's cut of the TV series, and doesn't look particularly good missing a third of the image. But Death has always been matted widescreen, so no point griping about aspect ratio schemantics this time. :D

[Njr Scrawl]

I thought they were going to be new stories and not compilation movies.

I think they are the TV story made more straight forward/everyman, although exclusive new scenes characters might be added. Perhaps like the MSG movies were.

[Hayate Kurogane]

I thought they were going to be new stories and not compilation movies.

Yes, and no.

The little information that's out there, some of which might be wrong for any number of reasons, (including but not limited to things like bad reporting, bad translating, misinterpretation, work-in-progress notes that have changed) indicates the following:

- The movies will follow roughly the same outline as the TV series, but diverge in terms of any number of details, whether order of events, actual events, charcterizations, etc.
- The first movie, 90 minutes, due in theaters this summer, will start before the TV series, introduce Rei and Kaworu at the beginning, introduce Shinji partway through, and end with the Operation Yashima events of episodes 5 and 6.
- The second movie, 90 minutes, due in theaters early next year, will introduce Asuka, and span the equivalent of the bulk of the TV series.
- The third and fourth movies, 45 minutes each, due in theaters next summer, will cover the equivalent of The End of Evangelion and an epilogue chapter, respectively.
- There will be less Angels than in the TV series (which I guess is sort of a given, unless somebody feels compelled to produce a jarring montage of various Angel battles and shoehorn it into the middle of the films).
- TV series animation will be used, but the majority of the animation will be new, and incorporate a lot of CG.
- The story is supposed to be more accessible to viewers, but it's not known if that means simply that a lot of the psychological fog is being stripped away to streamline the story into something more straightforwardly sci-fi, or something else.

So far, it seems like the movies are best thought of as something like The Adolescence of Utena or Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea as those movies relate to their original TV incarnations.

If they intend to do so much extra animation work, I wonder if the benefits of reusing any existing footage are worth it; it'd be great if they just went ahead and produced something completely new, animation-wise.

As should be understood, I make no claims towards either the veracity or verifiability of any notes about the movies, since all my sources, be they the Internet or some form of print media, are fallible, and Gainax is crazy enough such that the few facts out there may be changing as we speak. :D

[Gersen]

- The story is supposed to be more accessible to viewers, but it's not known if that means simply that a lot of the psychological fog is being stripped away to streamline the story into something more straightforwardly sci-fi, or something else.

It probably means more flashy FLCL like animation, more cheasy over the top humor, more action, more robots, more maids and a lot less substance or purpose.

Well exactly like a certain recent "sequel" of another Gainax old classic. (Actually it's also true for another recent Gainax produced "sequel" )

Gersen

[Pyocola]

I figure if they're going to do that much new, why not just skip the old animation altogether. And judging by the creative team and more recent EVA imagery it looks like it could have an "FLCLion" vibe, in which case the style would be too different to use any of the old animation anyway.

[Hayate Kurogane]

- The story is supposed to be more accessible to viewers, but it's not known if that means simply that a lot of the psychological fog is being stripped away to streamline the story into something more straightforwardly sci-fi, or something else.

It probably means more flashy FLCL like animation, more cheasy over the top humor, more action, more robots, more maids and a lot less substance or purpose.

Well exactly like a certain recent "sequel" of another Gainax old classic. (Actually it's also true for another recent Gainax produced "sequel" )

Given that most if not all of the series key staff is working on the project, and that Kazuya Tsurumaki has nothing major to do with it as far as I know (aside from most likely animating duties, since he was animating for Gainax for years before moving up to director status after Anno's short departure post-Kare Kano), I don't see why this is a safe assumption to make.

[Gersen]

Given that most if not all of the series key staff is working on the project, and that Kazuya Tsurumaki has nothing major to do with it as far as I know (aside from most likely animating duties, since he was animating for Gainax for years before moving up to director status after Anno's short departure post-Kare Kano), I don't see why this is a safe assumption to make.

Well if you take a look at recent Anno's involved shows, at the others recent Gainax shows and you add the "story is supposed to be more accessible" announcement I say there is a huge risk it will be close to reality.

Gersen

[PhilipReuben]

Kazuya Tsurumaki has nothing major to do with it as far as I know

According to ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-07/new-evangelion-movies) at least, Kazuya Tsurumaki is directing these movies.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Kazuya Tsurumaki has nothing major to do with it as far as I know

According to ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-07/new-evangelion-movies) at least, Kazuya Tsurumaki is directing these movies.

Correction noted. Completely wrong on that one. :sd:

As far as how Tsurumaki's works tend to turn out, I don't have any particularly strong objections to his typical action, choreography, or cinematography decisions, and quite honestly I think some of the decisions made in those areas lend themselves pretty well to a reimagining of Evangelion.

If the new films turn out like FLCL, then great. Best case, they're a lot of fun, and a new take on some material that I've liked for 10 years, regardless of whether or not they're like the original series. Worst case, they're not at all good, but I've still got the original series to watch and enjoy.