My Trip to Evangelion 2.0: I Can (Not) Make It
Posted by TP in Anime, Events, Photo Walkthroughs, Photography, What I'm WatchinYesterday (November 14, 2009) a horde of otaku decided to congregate together and march towards Cathay Cineleisure to watch Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. Yours truly self-invited himself to the event – because I knew the event was planned since late last July – in the anticipation of Anime Festival Asia 2009, due in 6 days’ time.
As for me, the trip to Cathay Cineleisure is also an adventure in itself. The old adage said, “It’s not the destination that mattered, it’s the journey that counts.” I finally found my impetus to attend AFA’09, knowing that the event might be more terrible than last year’s. (Looking at you, Cheetah!)
The following are pictures of the sights that I captured while walking down Orchard Road. Apparently, concurrently, there was the APEC Summit that was happening somewhere in Singapore that I couldn’t give a crap because 1.) world governments are scared of a new world order (see 2012 the prophesized year, not the pathetic movie), and 2.) I think the world is moving towards anarchism. Nevertheless, I respect these men who protect the sanctity and security of our little booger, for they wasted their weekends defending the perceived echelons of authority, and also because they are human beings, too. Peace, yo?
The men who sacrificed their holiday to ensure the AhPeCk event is smooth-running... and also to make you Sillyporeans don't stage a one-man assembly, OK?
A happy place for everybody. (Sadly, not this photographer.)
Sexposing another Canon user.
Increase the ISO to get more light, sacrifice image quality, and the risk of camera shake with a slow shutter.
"Let me show you, my darling..."
"... how to take street portraiture."
There seems to be a lot of Canon users lately.
Photo opportunities: human traffic must give way to good-looking models.
"Now where did I put my purse...?"
Meet The Cone: The sole defender of APEC delegates.
I'm watching you, Ms.
Must respect the men who put blockades on the roads to ensure a safe drive for all, as well as the APEC delegates.
Loneliness while eating. Strangers in a foreign country.
Indie band spotted outside Cathay Cineleisure.
Sounds like massive jamming is on the way.
The red-shirt guy reminded me of a punk-rock version of Jack Black.
Backstory:
Previously, the organizer of the event has acknowledged my intent to attend the gathering session. I managed to book myself tickets to the movie. In lieu of this, decided to take the Gandalf approach: “A wizard is never too late, nor he is early. He arrives precisely when he means to.” Hence, my opportunity to take the above pictures.
It was a pretty normal movie session. Sitting next to me is winsonkoh, and the other person next to me came to being as Lucifel. I did not have their websites or a place where I can link their profile, but I guess a name shout-out here will bring them in here, I suppose. Anyway, here’s the total number of participants that watched Evangelion 2.0.
The total number of attendees to the movie. (Image courtesy of Lss.)
Movie Review
As a non-Eva viewer, I had no prior knowledge of the movie sans the Evangelion 1.0 telecast on okto. Most of what I will say here will be my non-biased review as an outsider of this anime franchise.
The show is pretty much an anime fan’s fanfare: plenty of well-placed jokes and fanservice, certain innuendo highlighted to keep the audience’s attention and there is a very famous scene where I am certain many anime fans will be harping on for some time. However, honestly speaking, it is a good show, but it doesn’t justify the $10 ticket. It feels… average.
It boils down to my lack of prior knowledge of the franchise itself. Actually, that isn’t is necessary: after the debacle of the “End of Evangelion,” many fans realized that the franchise has gone down to the deep end. The addition of an extra character, Nakinami Mari, was considered unnecessary (but it’s a nice change to an otherwise staid cast), and the removal of certain scenes that was supposed to be within the anime series canon was left out from the movie. (Oh, come on, that argument is the same thing when Peter Jackson left out Bombadil in The Lord of The Rings.)
Honestly speaking, I suggest Innoform Media (the company that brought over the Evangelion movies) to bring in Kara No Kyoukai instead.
The event as a preliminary exercise in “taking in the atmosphere.” The crowd was infectious, and the moment elicits a great camaraderie. For what is an otherwise “a solitary hobby,” anime fans take their passion in their stride and allowed themselves to be who they are, amongst other similar like-minded people. It’s something of a joy to re-enact this coming AFA’09.
I think this is what events should be: the fun of being together at one place to proclaim their love and passion for their interest, hobbies, or just something that all of us can share, something that people can get along together, regardless of social strata, creed, ideology and life circumstances. I think this is why I want to go to AFA’09: because the fun is there, the people are happy, and because everyone enjoys anime, what is there not to share?
So it is with this feeling that I quiver in anticipation this coming weekend. It is time for me to share the happiness with strangers, friends and colleagues that I got to know of, new friends and connections to make, new opportunities and an endless fascination of the anime subculture.
Sadly though, I will not attend the concerts yet again.
Just becuase the movie had Kaji X Shinji and Kaoru X Shinji moments, doesn't mean you need to re-enact them IRL, now, don't you?
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I guess you guys booked the whole theater? I think I’ll just wait for the DVD release. EVA hardly tickled my fancy. Too much biblical pretentiousness. I watched “Humpday” instead.
Good to know you enjoyed yourself at the gathering. A little off-line interaction goes a long way. AFA should be a blast for you.