mattxrt

This episode reminds me a lot of Midnight Sun from Season 3, an episode that was also almost entirely dialogue based and focused on the conflicting ideologies of its characters rather than on the action and yet it still managed to be just as captivating as some of most action packed episodes of Attack on Titan.

It just goes to show what a powerful effect good voice acting and score can have, when coupled with great dialogue, on a narrative. That even as something as mundane as a bunch of people sitting around a camp talking can be equally as exciting as two huge titans fighting. A great example of the efficacy of animation as a medium and why people are just as enthusiastic to see an episode even after having read the manga.

What if the people you were trying to save opposed your goals? This is the interesting conundrum that Attack on Titan sets up at the end of this episode and I've got to say it's a surprising if not fascinating development. Like of course it wasn't going to be that straight forward. Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Conny, Hange and Levi are their own persons with their own drives and goals. What they each want doesn't necessary align with what Eren wants.

For some, like Connie, Jean and Armin, it's simply wanting to do what they feel is the right thing, for others like Levi it's the desire for revenge. We can see bits of what motivates them to do so like Connie talking about wanting to make his mother proud by saving those in need or Jean witnessing a horrific display of xenophobia that can result in a world fractured by tribalism. (An interesting parallel to how Marley treated Eldians, a theme ever present in Attack on Titan.)

Can they stop Eren? Will stopping him even do anything at this point? I don't know but the upcoming clash of ideologies seems like they're going to make for some terrific next couple of episodes, after all that's where Attack on Titan has always shined the most.

On a side note, the interaction between Connie, Armin and Annie was a rare moment of levity that I really enjoyed and is a nice reminder that these three were at one point friends who grew up with each other.

To call the films concept cool would be an understatement, in fact it's the only reason I was completely glued to the screen from start to end. The camerawork, vfx and makeup do a wonderful job in quickly aging up these characters in a realistic manner that is absolutely fascinating and sometimes even scary to watch unfold.

The problem? Every time the characters opened their mouths. The dialogue in this film is literally B movie tier, it's so bad that it's honestly hard to believe it's in a movie of this calibre and talent.

It's a shame because you can clearly see all of the relevant themes that would arise from such a situation clearly on the screen, it's just the dialogue accompanying it that makes it hard to take seriously.

The direction in this film is also all over the place, there are scenes of genuine skill that full on displays Shyamalan's background in horror, he manages to convey the terrifying prospect of aging decades within mere hours impressively well to the audience and then there are scenes that makes seasoned veteran actors look like they're amateurs.