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Reviews
Shôjo kakumei Utena: Adolescence mokushiroku (1999)
Dazzling portrayal of dedication and inspiration of a girl who would be a prince.
This is a movie that, following in the proud footsteps of Neon Genesis Evangelion and Serial Experiments Lain, cannot be properly appreciated without being watched several times. With stunning visuals, intimate moments and running the gamut of emotion, it weaves a complex and iconic story about a girl who chose the path of being a prince and her quest to - somewhat painfully at times - break free of the constraints and innocence of youth and accept the reality of adulthood.
I definitely recommend watching it first in normal mode and then, once you are sufficiently confused, watch it again with the director's commentary. His rambling explanations of what the meaning behind what is being presented are both enlightening and profound.
While it might benefit you somewhat to have watched the TV series first - so that you are familiar with the characters - this is not necessary, as many of the relationships have been changed and the "big plot" ewritten to deftly slice with katana-like precision through to the underlying message of the story itself.
I highly recommend this movie to anime fans who appreciate how much thought goes into the creation of what you watch and who enjoy the more subtle and thought provoking offerings of the anime industry.