The previous films of the Puella Magi Madoka Magica series summarized the plot of the anime's 12 episodes, but Rebellion is a completely new chapter continuing the adventures and misfortunes of the magical girls. With the series' reputation as one of the best anime series out there, will this new story live up to what came before?
Madoka Kaname and her three best friends, Sayaki Miki, Kyoko Sakura, and Mami Tomoe, are magical girls who fight creatures called Nightmares, that are grown from despair. One day, a new girl named Homura Akemi transfers into Madoka’s class, and they are shocked to see that she is also a magical girl. After a month of working together to destroy the Nightmares, Madoka and Homura become the best of friends, but Homura seems to be haunted by something.
The animation quality for Rebellion is done by studio Shaft, which also animated the original series. The studio is honorable to the source material, but also takes its own liberties when necessary. Character movement is flawless, and the fight scenes between magical girls are both creative and amazing. There is also plenty of metaphorical imagery later on in the film, represented by a blend of different artistic styles. This can sometimes be a headache for some people, but it also plays into the deeper meanings of the film.
The story is mostly solid, which comes as no surprise since the script was written by the series creator, Gen Urobuchi. At the beginning, it can feel confusing and disorienting, especially for fans of the series, and the third act feels as if it is drawn out for much longer than it needs to be. As soon as the film reaches its second act, everything becomes heightened. It is almost like the majority of this part of the film is one long action sequence, leaving small pockets to allow the audience to take in a breath or two. There is a turning point that brings a great climax of emotion, which leads to a conclusion that may confuse some fans of the series.
The reason it will be confusing is that it appears (at first) to go against qualities of certain characters, which have been well transferred from the series. Each character, despite being in a different situation, keeps the same attitude and character qualities. A new character, Bebe, is introduced as a companion to Mami. While Bebe definitely adds to the tension between the magical girls, there could have been a lot more done with her, especially since she is a reference to the events of the original series.
The true stand-out character is Homura, who is the central focus of the movie. Just as in the series, all of her actions are to keep Madoka safe, which is also her biggest flaw. When the crucial points begin to strike, the impact and her reactions are that much more devastating because of the amount of time the audience has spent with her.
The musical score, made by the original series' composer Yuki Kajiura, is also worth noting. Kajiura definitely understands how to capture the mood of a single moment and work with the audience’s emotions instead of forcing them out. It is those gentle moments, along with the more bombastic segments, that complements the strengths of a film such as this.
As a continuation of the story, many fans will agree that it is a true successor to the franchise. It carries the same amount of drama and tension as did the original material, and stays true to the characters. It didn’t feel like an extended episode, but an epic story that needed to be told in this format. Fan reactions may be varied due to how the ending is interpreted, not to mention how confusing many of the parts will be. Rebellion definitely needs a second viewing in order to understand everything that’s going on.
Despite pacing issues and some confusion regarding the plot, Rebellion is a solid film. While newcomers are going to be bewildered at certain parts, fans of the series will be happy to know that their favorite characters are well represented, even improved upon. It's definitely a serious contender for “Best Animated Film” come Oscar season, not only for its breath-taking visuals, but amazing storytelling, characters, and commitment to the overall theme.
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