I think we’ve more or less come to the same conclusion that they tried to do way too much with just one movie outing. Long stretches of expositing and shoehorning in side-characters that didn’t serve a purpose (other than to show just how different everyone is than they were in the series) should have been cut. They really should have kept it a much simpler story of Eureka, Renton, and the Gekko State. The finale was gorgeous and the Eureka/Renton plotline was emotionally satisfying, but that just may be me trying to latch onto something positive at the end.

Heed these words of wisdom from someone who was introduced to the Utena franchise by the movie first and then saw the series later: watch the TV series first. The movie is the super-concentrated essence of Utena, but a frightening and stupefying experience for those uninitiated to the Utena-verse. Not that the series won’t have its own fair share of bewildering moments, but the movie is so rapid-paced, even more stylistically exaggerated, and throws the characters and themes at you so hard and fast, I was left with my head spinning. In retrospect, it works better as a complementary piece; unlike the Eureka Seven movie, knowledge of the TV series works with and enhances the aims of the Utena film.

@gaguri: the fact that I enjoyedthe series so much was a large part of the proble, I think. I basically had to make a conscious effort to forget what I saw in the series in order to appreciate the film on its own terms, which was prety difficult. I’m not familiar with either version of Utena though I’m afraid – which would you recommend?

@Bateszi: I’d say approach this film with caution! The visuals are worth your time but you really do need to be prepared to be disappointed with what they did to the story (and the characters). The end tune is excellent though – up there with not just Storywriter but many of Supercar’s finest moments. I’ll have to hunt down iLL’s albums now you’ve mentioned them!