I love the original anime, and the Rebuild improves upon nearly every area while adding numerous exciting changes to the story, despite requiring some simplification to certain aspects.
Rei's vastly improved. In the anime she became Out of Focus. Here, Shinji's relationship with her is the main focus of 2.0, while still shedding light on Misato's character whose bond with Shinji was the focus of 1.0. Their bond is more complex than by focusing on their similarities, and Rei's goals are the opposite of Yui's, ironically.
As for Shinji, his Adaptational Badass trait was needed and 1.0 focuses on him becoming one. He's a more complex character that needs to be more of a driving force than he was in the anime due to the story's structure. His ending up as a Byronic Hero culminates in a more unique character arc. He's more likable, and still has a variety of flaws that don't detract from said likability. His insularity combined with his determination and impulsiveness leads to interesting consequences.
The only negative I have about the cast is Mari serving no narrative purpose, you could have Toji fulfill her role and it would be an improvement.
The animation, soundtrack, and voice acting are all superb. 2.0 even has its own Komm Susser Tod. The battles are more exciting by giving proper tension, grandiose music, and spectacular special effects. The fights with Ramiel and Sahaquiel are a sight to behold. The focus of all three films is also consistent: One of Shinji's flaws and connecting it to his bond with a different Deuteragonist each film, and their bond will be the driving force of the story. The pacing is also handled better, except in 3.0, which is reminiscent of the anime's troubled pacing.
3.0's first hour or so is awful. It's dragged out with no context for too long, resulting in the viewers tuning out until The Reveal. It also feels like an Idiot Plot. It'd have been better if WILLE didn't have enough time to inform Shinji due to NERV's attack and Shinji's defecting would've been the result of the initial mistreatment. Which would only take 10-15 minutes at most to execute with proper pacing, thereby allowing the audience to be clued in sooner. Thankfully, Growing the Beard takes place. Kaworu's portrayed nicely through his Duet Bonding with Shinji and having equality in their bond. Rei Q succeeds at being the Uncanny Valley. The second Rei isn't forgotten, for both the audience and Shinji. All of which culminates in an epic battle at the end where we see how much Shinji's changed.
Improves Upon The Anime Despite Some Difficulties (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 Spoilers)
I love the original anime, and the Rebuild improves upon nearly every area while adding numerous exciting changes to the story, despite requiring some simplification to certain aspects.
Asuka's most notably dulled down, but it allows the writers to establish her quickly in 2.0, add hidden depths albeit less than in the anime, and then develop her to make up for that. She's in a supporting role which she fits in better, too. By prioritizing those crucial to the plot and cast it enables the writers to develop multiple plot threads simultaneously, gaining a wider breadth without sacrificing any depth.
Rei's vastly improved. In the anime she became Out of Focus. Here, Shinji's relationship with her is the main focus of 2.0, while still shedding light on Misato's character whose bond with Shinji was the focus of 1.0. Their bond is more complex than by focusing on their similarities, and Rei's goals are the opposite of Yui's, ironically.
As for Shinji, his Adaptational Badass trait was needed and 1.0 focuses on him becoming one. He's a more complex character that needs to be more of a driving force than he was in the anime due to the story's structure. His ending up as a Byronic Hero culminates in a more unique character arc. He's more likable, and still has a variety of flaws that don't detract from said likability. His insularity combined with his determination and impulsiveness leads to interesting consequences.
The only negative I have about the cast is Mari serving no narrative purpose, you could have Toji fulfill her role and it would be an improvement.
The animation, soundtrack, and voice acting are all superb. 2.0 even has its own Komm Susser Tod. The battles are more exciting by giving proper tension, grandiose music, and spectacular special effects. The fights with Ramiel and Sahaquiel are a sight to behold. The focus of all three films is also consistent: One of Shinji's flaws and connecting it to his bond with a different Deuteragonist each film, and their bond will be the driving force of the story. The pacing is also handled better, except in 3.0, which is reminiscent of the anime's troubled pacing.
3.0's first hour or so is awful. It's dragged out with no context for too long, resulting in the viewers tuning out until The Reveal. It also feels like an Idiot Plot. It'd have been better if WILLE didn't have enough time to inform Shinji due to NERV's attack and Shinji's defecting would've been the result of the initial mistreatment. Which would only take 10-15 minutes at most to execute with proper pacing, thereby allowing the audience to be clued in sooner. Thankfully, Growing the Beard takes place. Kaworu's portrayed nicely through his Duet Bonding with Shinji and having equality in their bond. Rei Q succeeds at being the Uncanny Valley. The second Rei isn't forgotten, for both the audience and Shinji. All of which culminates in an epic battle at the end where we see how much Shinji's changed.