So, I finished watching these "Rebuild" movies. I should probably sit and think about this for a while but here are some initial thoughts (no real spoilers, I don't think).

First off, they were good. Now, this means that they are worth watching and are well done but this isn't as good as it sounds since I consider the original series and EoE to be "amazing" (as in, so good I think they directly helped my real life).

It seems like the plot starts out much more concretely explained (at the beginning, at least). By comparison, it seems as though they might not have known their full plan to end the original series when they started. However, I get that feeling with these movies toward the end, also.

The characters are mostly similar although they changed a lot about the back-story of Asuka (although how she acts is similar-ish). There is a lot more directly spelled out regarding Gendo's back-story, later on, but it isn't anything one couldn't already assume (the change here is getting to hear his perspectives on it, which is interesting but not surprising - it is a more explicit humanization).

The most heart-wrenching character is probably Rei, as opposed to Asuka, this time around.

The story does go much further (although does make the lore increasingly convoluted) and is technically very impressive. Also, if you like impressive action in a sci-fi setting, this will definitely give you something big to chew on (especially as the movies go on).

I would also agree with those who say that this is the "happiest" ending. It definitely is, but I find the other endings both closer to what I wanted. Sure, this thematically makes sense (more about growing past these issues) and it is "happy" but I didn't find it as "satisfying" as something like EoE due to the timeline being much longer and some other characters which were added into the mix.

The main thing, though, which I miss from the originals is actually the slower pace. It felt as though I could really feel the tension in the more subtle scenes, earlier on (I actually like the infamous "elevator scene", for example). Plus, really climbing into the heads of the characters made them feel more emotionally visceral and their perspectives more philosophically interesting. Having time to really sit in those moments made the experience feel more resonant, personally.

It is almost like these movies try to tackle the ideas through plot whereas the original just used the plot for the setting and explored the ideas through the characters.

Worth seeing, though, and I would be willing to pick them up if I saw the 4 movies in a reasonable set.

In related news, my Cowboy Bebop Blu-rays came in so I am looking forward to going back through that, soon (haven't seen it since university),
...Nights