12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Much more than a re-cap, June 26, 2004
This review is from: Rahxephon - The Motion Picture + Series Box and Book (DVD)
RahXephon: Motion Picture bears a similar stigma as Neon Genisis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth in that the majority of RX:MP is a recap of the series, however, it does reveal more about Ayato, Haruka, Quan, and many other main characters from about 10 years before the first episode to about 40 years after the last.
A must have for RahXephon fans, but if you weren't thrilled by RX, you can afford to pass on the movie.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Parts Are Sometimes Better Than The Whole, November 11, 2004
This review is from: Rahxephon - The Motion Picture + Series Box and Book (DVD)
There seems to be quite a difference of opinion on the two-hour feature film based on the RahXephon series. I find my impressions are mixed, but that overall the film provides a different angle on the original story. One that touches more on emotional factors, and ekes out several things that are easy to miss in the series.
The plot, for those who haven't seen the series, is the tale of Ayato Kamina, who is caught in Tokyo during an alien invasion. The city is separated from the rest of the world, and the human inhabitants are convinced that they are the only survivors. When Ayato reaches the age of 17, a sudden meeting with a secret agent (Haruka Shitow) turns his world upside down. He discovers the truth and finds that he is connected with a giant robotic creature called the RahXephon.
He leaves Tokyo to aid humanity in stopping the aliens (Mu). Ayato is an instrumentalist, half human half Mulan, and badly torn over the path he should follow and his true nature. He is haunted by an old relationship and faces a complicated, metaphysical crisis or two.
What I especially liked -
The story isn't exactly different, but it focuses much better on the abridged romance between Haruka and Ayato. In the series, which has time to develop the detailed characters better, let time is spent on this theme. There are hints along the way, but only at the end does it achieve prominence. In the film Ayato's female relationships are the key element. This clarifies some of the confusion of the series.
One the other hand -
Either there was a very poor transfer or the film was made with sloppier artwork. Nor is the music of the same quality. Character development is seriously abridged, as is often the case in a feature length version. There are several cases, though, where it would have been better to leave out a character entirely. And poor Quon Kisaragi is barely a shadow of her series self, which is a shame. And finally there are some monologues which try to be lectures on the theory behind the action. These border on the tedious.
Since you aren't going to buy this package unless you intend to or already own the series, you will be pleased with the entire Rahxephon experience whether you like the film or not this won't be a disappointment. Collectors, after all, are happiest when they are collecting.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anime for the Ages....., October 1, 2004
This review is from: Rahxephon - The Motion Picture + Series Box and Book (DVD)
Ok, Whats going on with all the negative reviews of this movie? The series was great and I think the movie, though it was a little bit different view interpritation on the story line from the series, is just as good as the series. I don't think alot of people truly understood the series and probably would not have as great of appricitation for this movie as other might. However if you were a fan of the 30 some episide long series, than the RahXephon movie (which runs alittle over 2 hours) is a must see. If you have not seen the series yet, it might be better to try to watch the it first and keep an open mind. Though the similarities to series such as Evangellian are there, RahXephon is truly in a league of it's own and should not be compared to past anime series!! Just watch RahXephon and experience one of the best anime story lines ever to be written....
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