Search - Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Collection 1 + Series Box on DVD

So what do you *really* get for your money ?

Takahashii | Wageningen, Netherlands | 09/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been an Evangelion fan for quite some time and because of that I decided to start collecting the Platinum series in addition to my current EVA collection (Perfect Collection, Death/Rebirth, End of Evangelion and the two Director Cut DVD's) but with all products I see 2 kinds of reviews: in favor of the product or against it. But never something descriptive, so now I'm having a shot at it.

So what is the Platinum collection... Its a re-make of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion series. The sound dub's have been re-mastered (and in some cases re-done, for example the Japanese 5.1 dub) and the animation itself has been enhanced. This enhancement consists of a re-creation of the original picture (you can see this very clearly when comparing the original with this version) as well as newly added material. In contrary to what most people (including Amazon) say this DVD does hold new material, even though some of it consists of scenes which only last for 1 or 2 seconds. And if you've seen the original you can see that these small extra's really can enhance the overal experience.

This release also makes it quite clear that its aimed toward collectors. The DVD comes in a (cardbord) box which is shaped in the same way as the "Perfect Collection" box, it only has a different print and uses a different color (silver/grey). The box has room to house all 7 DVD releases. The DVD box is inserted in a silver cardbord box which has some very nice decorations on it. This one features a line-drawing of Shinji standing in front of some powerlines (as can be seen in the first episode) at the front, the back tells you what episodes are on the DVD. The DVD box itself comes with a very nice booklet which explains whats on the DVD and also has some nice Evangelion artwork. And to finish up; you'll get your own "Nerv Parking Permit"; a shine-through sticker which you can stick on the inside window of your car. All in all: its very clear that this isn't just an ordinary Evangelion DVD.

However, although the Platinum collection is a very good DVD its not as good as the original. Its like comparing a book with a movie: the book describes details and leave you to make up your own image of the scenes. In the original Evangelion serie not everything was drawn in precise detail, thus leaving it up to the viewer to form the complete picture. In my opinion this adds a lot to the whole experience. Things don't always have to be perfect in order to be experienced as perfect.

So is the Platinum collection worth it ?

If you are a fan of the series I'd say yes. Even if you already own the original series I'd still advice you to consider this one as well (a bit like Star Wars and the later released extended version) simply because of the extra's it offers and is going to offer.

However, if you just want to get an impression of the "Evangelion experience" then I'd advice you to seriously consider as to what you really want. If you just want a peek then this is a good DVD: cheaper than the original, holds 1 more episode than the original release 0-1 and has some nice collectors items.

But if you're new and plan on getting the whole serie then I'd advice you to start with the "Perfect Collection". Its cheaper, its original material and by the time you've finished that one you can always consider getting the Platinum collection. I'm pretty sure that a whole boxed set will eventually be released, which will probably cost you a lot less than collecting every DVD seperatly.

But... For fans this is really a must have collection."

Anno's Masterpiece joins the DVD Age

Tomm | California, USA | 05/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ah, Evangelion. As almost every other anime fan out there, I saw this series years ago and instantly fell in love with it. So I was obviously looking forward to the (oft delayed) DVD release. So how does it rate? Pretty well. ADV has taken many steps to "localize" the show even further than it already had. Notes and papers that flash up on the screen have been translated completely from their Japanese into English. The "giant kanji title bars" of the VHS version have been scrapped in favor of subtle appearing text. While I appreciate the effort, I'm not sure why Gainax authorized this, and I could do without it. The english voices are decent. Being the only anime-fan who's watched the entire series dub, I can assure any fans that the acting only improves as the series progresses. The video quality isn't bad, despite what I've been hearing. I actually remember feeling that the VHS quality was substandard in the original recording, with off-center title bars and the like. That quickly became part of Eva's charm, and I'm glad that it's been retained, really. It isn't bad, it just hasn't changed. I did spot a few DVD transfer errors in this disc--choppy frames or skipping flashy parts. Hopefully ADV's DVD editor will pay a bit more attention in subsequent releases. Evangelion is a masterpiece, and should be experienced by everyone, anime fan or not. Its broad, sweeping scope and tragically real characters elevate the series to a plateau of excellence. I'm glad I have an excuse to watch it all again (and again...in four languages!) So if you've never had the pleasure of seeing Eva before...why haven't you already bought the disc? Do it now! If you've already gone through it all...I would recommend giving serious consideration to the DVD release--afterall, it'll last forever! Just..keep the VHS version around to introduce newbies to the full impact."

Volume one to the greatest story ever told

Blue Drake | Texas, USA | 05/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Evangelion is without a doubt, my favorite animated series ever made. The story is beyond compare: it is the year 2015, in a post-apocalyptic setting. Creatures called Angels are attacking the city of Tokyo III, and the only way to combat them is with massive and mysterious robots called Evangelions, which can only be piloted by a 14-year old Child, born during the Second Impact. Confusing, right? Well throw in some incredibly deep philosophical ponderings, and religious ideologies, and you have a show that will drop your jaw with it's action-packed battles, stir you with it's intricate dramatic storyline, and ultimately change your life forever. Volume One has the first four Evangelion episodes, which basically introduce you to the story and the main characters: Shinji, Katsuragi, and Rei (unfortunatly, my favorite character, Asuka, isn't introduced until later episodes). The DVD features both the English version, and the Japanese subtitled version (as well as Spanish and French versions), and of course, enhanced picture and sound as well as some other goodies, making this the ultimate Eva. Now I can't wait for the others."

The Strengths of an Iconoclastic, Defining Series

Michael Huang | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To paraphrase a review in "Animerica" magazine, "Neon Genesis Evangelion" may in fact be the most important modern anime created. "Important," however, does not necessarily imply "best" or "worst" or indication of technical or artistic quality. On the whole, my opinion is that the assets far outweigh the liabilities of this series, but the liabilities are noticable and have been hotly debated ever since the show's ending. The TV show and concluding movie has inspired passion among anime fans and even outsiders (in Japan at least) that is rare for any TV show or movie, let alone an anime. It's easy to see why--while this DVD may start with many of the cliches and conventions of the mecha anime, what is immediately noticeable is the following two things:1.) The characters are the focus, not the action or plot. And these characters inspire all sorts of emotional reactions in the viewer rare in anime. In particular, Shinji is an atypical hero for this sort of show, and his attitude toward life and those around him has been the cause of no small debate over whether he is a worthless coward deserving of contempt (as he often states that he is!) or a traumatized child who deserves compassion and empathy. Immediately, even in these episodes and especially the fourth, the introverted, psychological nature of this show is established, and Shinji's is not alone in his trauma and inner torment--Misato, Asuka, Gendo, and Ritsuko all have their own issues to deal with that are explored throughly later. In my opinion, when character-oriented and psychological aspect of the narrative was emphasized more in the second half of the series, that's when "Eva" truly shined as a compelling drama and revealing portrait of the modern Japanese psyche.2.) The direction is idiosyncratic and often experimental. Director Anno Hideaki is perhaps anime's most well known creative iconoclast, and he breaks numerous anime directing conventions and establishes his own animated film vocabulary in the shot composition camera angles (especially still shots of inert objects or certain ways of framing faces), fluid and often brutal action sequences, and later in the series, psychological montages remniscent of Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin" and French New-Wave films. The stark, serious nature of the series is established immediately in this DVD as well, though the idiosyncrasies of the direction are relaxed in the semi-comedic middle parts, and become much more pronounced in the latter half and especially in the endings. And with all this--for the most part, it's not that intrusive and the storytelling is clear and compelling. I love it.Honest, searing characterization and boundary-shattering style are the great strengths of "Evangelion," and combined with the fact that I can identify a bit with Shinji and not feel the same contempt for him that other viewers often have, I think "Eva" is TV-anime's most important recent work. "Escaflowne" may have the better storytelling, "Serial Experiments Lain" may have more intellectual conundrums, and "Cowboy Bebop" may have the cooler music and balanced, if a bit detached, characters. But art, emotion, intelligence, and drama come together in "Evangelion" in a way that has set the standard for all the anime that has come afterwards--no matter how enthralled or enraged this series has made anime fans ever since."