They seemed to put more effort this time into making Tokyo 3 look more like a living breathing city. Unless my memory's mistaken there was always something about the original that seemed too focused on the key players to give a full atmosphere, whereas this time around we get periodic reminders apart from just scenes in the school and the train that it's a major city and possibly the world at stake here.

Bearing in mind I've never read the Mangas, two major things I disagreed with was revealing Kaworu and Lilith so early in the plot, not to mention Misato knew nothing about Lilith in the original until she started doubting Nerves intentions and investigated, which I think would have been a great way to end the 2nd movie. Now that I think about it most of the plot was revealed through Misato's point of view in the original, so how are they going to reveal other parts of the plot now? Not to mention what role will Kaji play that gets him shot or if he does at all for that matter.

I'm trying to avoid going into how deep NGE is as a story, but all in all, those major plot changes just seemed more like fanservice for people who know the plot already rather then effective storytelling.

I gotta say, it was good to watch. The angel battles in particular although I was really hoping they do something different with the scenes. Not the same sort of rehash of animation from the series. I really did like Ramiel battle. That was defenitely a good trasition and use of cg with its attacks. And the way it blew the shit out of the mountain side was so damn cool. The animation of the characters seemed like no different from the series. Although the city itself was great. Odd to see it so alive with the segemtns of Shinji walking the streets and sleeping out like a bum. And...why was I treated with 14 year old tits? God. Damn Japanese. Anyway. Good stuff. Can't wait for the second one.