Blu-ray Review: Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo

It’s been a painfully long wait but after several years, and a re-written English script, the third movie instalment into the ‘Rebuild’ of Evangelion has arrived on home video; but was it worth the wait? Well lets take a look in our Blu-ray review of Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo.

Synopsis:

Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo, is the third feature-length film in creator Hideaki Anno’s rebuild of the ground-breaking 1995-1996 anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Following on from the cataclysmic finale of Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance, the third film takes the Evangelion storyline in a startling new direction. With its heady mix of cutting-edge animation spectacular giant robot action, heightened emotion and deep philosophy.

After the ‘Third Impact’, Shinji awakens to an existence he does not recognise. Earth lies in ruins. Those he once fought valiantly to protect have cruelly turned against him. With Rei Ayanami nowhere to be seen, could his efforts to save her have been in vain – and what friendships can he now rely on? Trapped in a harrowing cycle of death and rebirth, Shinji continues to courageously battle the Angels – even as the world spirals toward a tragic end.

Evangelion 3.33 – You Can (Not) Redo – REGION FREE

Evangelion 3.33 – You Can (Not) Redo

BD Region: A & B (Confirmed Playable in the UK)
– Boxart states Region B Compatible

Price: $29.99/ £20.87 (Excluding postage)

Episodes: 1x Feature-Length Film

Plot: Fourteen years after third impact, Shinji Ikari awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn’t aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, Nerv has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him.

Befriending the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies.

The characters’ struggles continue amid the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world.

—-NOTE—-

Manga Entertainment UK will be releasing Evangelion 3.33 – You Can (Not) Redo as a Collectors Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack, as well as regular Blu-ray and DVD variations, on the 29th February 2016. The Content itself will also be exactly the same as the US and Australian versions.

FUNimation To Work Directly with Studio Khara for Evangelion 3.33’s English Release

FUNimation have recently announced that they will be working with Studio Khara, the Japanese studio who originally produced the film, so that an English version of Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo can be produced.

We are working directly with the Japanese studio and the original creator on the upcoming Evangelion 3.33 home video release. This is a unique opportunity that presented itself to us, and since the plot for Evangelion 3.33 is so different from previous story lines, we are thrilled that the creator has asked to be so heavily involved in this project.

It’s never been fully explained as to whats been happening with the English release; but rumours suggest that the Japanese Studios were unhappy with the English Dub that FUNimation had produced and as a result the Japanese licensors asked for the English Dub to be altered. As a result of these alterations storyline elements that the Japanese Studios wanted fans of the franchise to see were lost.

Evangelion 3.33 UK DVD & Blu-ray Release Dated Amended By Manga Entertainment UK

Manga Entertainment UK have today taken to their official blog to confirm that the UK DVD & Blu-ray release of Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo has been delayed until to the 25th August 2014.

The reason for this delay is due to the US distributor, FUNimation, who decided to delay the physical release of the film in order to extend its run at the cinema. Basically FUNimation saw that Evangelion 3.33 was doing well at the Cinema and decided to delay its physical DVD & Blu-ray release, and because of this delay it has had a knock-on effect for Manga Entertainment in the UK and presumably Madman Entertainment in Australia.

Manga UK and Madman rely on the physical content produced in the US, if this content is not available (or in this case not available for distribution) then they have to wait until it is ready. It’s disappointing news, but unfortunately that’s how it currently works – something which Jerome has mentioned plenty of times on the Manga UK Podcast.

That’s not the only bad news either, because as its stands this “25th August 2014” release date is only a preliminary one one, meaning it could change again in the near future.

re: Evangelion 3.33 I'll add the date noted is a preliminary one. We're aiming for that but could still be subject to change. ^JG

— Manga Entertainment (@MangaUK) January 26, 2014

On the bright side Manga Entertainment UK have also confirmed that Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo will get a cinematic release across the UK, with locations, dates and dubbing format to be revealed in the coming months.

Manga UK Unveils Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo Trailer

It may be another four months until the third Evangelion film reaches UK Stores but that doesn’t stop Manga Entertainment UK promoting it with an English Dubbed trailer, and thats exactly we’ve got.

Evangelion 3.33 has already had its UK Debut in cinemas earlier this year, thanks to Anime Limited (aka All The Anime) and the Scotland Loves Anime seasons, but in March 2014 fans of the franchise will be able to enjoy it in their own homes, in High Definition and more importantly(?) in English.

If you’ve seen the film then you’ll probably recognise most of the scenes used in the trailer, most of which are taken from the opening sequence, however for those who have yet to watch it then be prepared to be blown away by its stunning detail and cinematic goodness, watching in “HD” is highly advised. Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo will be released on in March 2014 on DVD and Deluxe Edition Blu-ray.

Anime Limited To Bring the Evangelion Movie Trilogy to the Big Screen Later this Year

Anime Limited, in partnership with Manga Entertainment UK, have recently announced (via Anime Limited’s Blog) that the Evangelion Movie Trilogy will have a limited run in cinema’s across the UK later this year.

The Movie Trilogy roadshow will begin at Scotland Loves Animation, which takes place between the 11th and 20th October 2013, whereby shortly afterwards the films will be shown at venues across the UK including Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and London, with exact times and dates to be announced in the near future.

Exact details on how the movies will be presented (such as Audio) have yet to be confirmed, however the first two movies will be presented in 35mm reels while the third film will be presented in its original Digital Cinema Print, thus offering higher detailed visuals compared to the 35mm reel.

Details aside this is exciting news for Evangelion (and anime fans) wanting to see the films on the big screen, in the meantime both Evangelion 1.11 You are (not) alone and Evangelion 2.22 You can (not) adanvce are both available on DVD & Blu-ray in the UK.