Opening:
Don’t get discouraged that is a review for part 1 and part 2 of this film. I consider it a four hour movie instead of two separate two hour films so I figure it would easier to review that way. I have never been to the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, but after this film I want to go back and watch more brilliant anime. This is based off a popular manga series from Japan and then adapted as a television series with the first season being released and it runs about twenty-five episodes with a second season along the way. These two films are essentially the twenty-five episodes crammed into four hours so simpletons like me don’t have to sit through it all. However, after watching this epic film, I want to go back and watch the rest of the television show. Let’s get reel and break this down.
Plot:
Part 1: In a dystopian world, a young man vows to eliminate the giant humanoid creatures that threaten the remnants of humanity.
Part 2: As the Trost District is reclaimed from the Titans, Eren is taken under the wing of Captain Levi and his squad, who decide to try and teach him to master his mysterious abilities.
Directing/Writing
Pros:
Simply put, this story feels epic and sucks you in from the moment it starts. The dark, sci-fi fantasy elements are imaginative and creative while still having some great commentary on: society, social classes, vengeance, war, government and the military and even hints of obsession with power and how it can consume you and other themes sprinkled throughout. There are a lot of working elements that bring this story to life with entertainment and depth. All of the characters have their motives and distinct personalities that make each of them standout and have their moment without watering the story down with all the characters presented. The director brought had the difficult task of condensing the twenty-five hour season into a four hour film that still makes sense and brings in new fans that have never heard of this property. He brought in the original voice actors from the show to redo the dialogue to make it flow better for the films. For the most the director did the best he could do but…
Cons:
…you can definitely tell where the missing parts are from the series and it’s very apparent and makes you wonder what you missed and was it important. The other thing that felt unfinished was the whole experience itself. At the end of part 2, we are presented with an ending to the characters current journey but it leaves on a massive cliffhanger and doesn’t have a definitive ending with some questions unanswered. That’s not a bad thing but maybe I am jealous because I want more of it and have to wait until season two.
(Voice) Acting
Pros:
Everyone brings these animated characters to life with intensity and charisma for their characters. From all the epic battle scenes and the quieter, emotional moments, there is a distinct full range of emotions the voice acting carries through.
Cons:
I love anime and I would like to watch more of it but sometimes the intensity in the voice audio in some anime can be a little too much. Case in point, I am fine with the battle and action scenes because they require of intensity; but some of the smaller, quieter moments had an exaggerated voice inflection that take you out of the moment. I realize most anime is like that but when I wanted to get invested I want to feel the emotions and not have the characters yell the whole time. But then again, I am an idiot and I don’t know what I am talking about.
Cinematography
Pros:
From the inner cities to the beautiful, sometimes terrifying, open land beyond the walls, the cinematography is gorgeous and feels like this could be a real location somewhere. The action set pieces mesmerizing, the dramatic scenes are well lit to set a specific mood, the shot choices really insinuate the epic scope of the titans and the humans.
Cons:
None.
Editing/Special Effects
Pros:
If you are into anime, you will like it. If you are into fantasies, you will like it. If you don’t like subtitled movies, you won’t like it. I realize this type of animation isn’t for everyone but as soon as the movie starts with a great hook it carries you to a good ending, despite it leaving on a cliffhanger. The animation is flawless and those titans…dear lord are they creepy.
Cons:
The holes missing in the movies from the show do feel like awkward speed bumps in the story but its only temporary and the scene following gets you right into it again.
Overall:
Being my only two films I saw at the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, I was entertained and sucked into this world and had such a fun time with it. This is a great anime and I really want to 1.) Go back and watch the whole first season again and see what I missed and 2.) I really can’t wait for season two and I will definitely watch it.
Grade: B+
(Review by Chase Lee)
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