Rating: 
Summary: Useless and containing nothing new
Review: Everything in the first half of this movie can be found in the series, and everything in the second half can be found in the movie. Maybe 2% of the footage in here is from the Director's Cut episodes, but that tiny amount of footage (which isn't even new, just unreleased in the US) just isn't worth the cost of buying this DVD. If you buy the Perfect Collection and End of Evangelion, then there is no reason whatsoever to get this disc.If you're really that desperate for Director's Cut footage, buy the Japanese DVDs. Then you get ALL of the Director's Cut footage, not just 30 seconds of it.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't really expect much from Manga.
Review: As you all probably know or have already read in the reviews here, Death & Rebirth is only a recap of the series up to episode 24, and 20 minutes or so into End of Evangelion (Rebirth). I do not suggest viewing D&R instead of the series (it lacks alot of details, particularly many angels), but it is still recommended to watch it before End of Evangelion. Not only is it a recap, but it still is a theatrical release. It is composed and directed in such a way to create an experience all in it's own. It's also a great thing for those who wanna have a friend check it out and have him jump-started into End of Evangelion. As to the DVD itself, i've never really been a fan of Manga's releases since they so successfully manage to take a great piece of work and make it seem like something out of the bargain bin.
I can't complain enough about the things i disliked about this release, so let me try and bullet list it for space's sake. -No 5.1 Japanese audio track. Manga fails to realize the majority of (hardcore) anime fans prefer japanese tracks with english subtitles. Stereo just isn't enough for home theatre enthusiasts.
-Lousy video transfer. Many blurred spots throughout. If it weren't for the better quality subtitles, alot of people might think it's the unlicensed dvd (MI release for those who know what i'm talking about).
-Double-sided. Same thing on either side except for the features and audio/sub tracks. A dual-layer would've been way nicer, particularly with a good disc print.
-It wouldn't have hurt Manga to include the corresponding pictures in the character and angel profiles.
-Some mistakes in names and terms, like Kaoru on subs, Kaworu on the profile and chapter title.
-Picture Gallery is just a handful of stills from the movie itself, but apparently taken from a movie that was dragged a mile or so under a truck tire.
-Audio commentary by the English Language Director. C'mon. I would've rather had a five minute interview with Hideaki Anno. With all the time Manga has had the license to produce this, you would've expected them to release an S.E. flooded with features. After all, it was theatrically released in Japan in '97, and this is the first time it makes it's way to the US. None the less, it's still up to DVD standards and it's the only R1 release. I just hope Manga allow themselves to break a sweat with End of Evangelion and give us something worthy of it's magnitude.
Rating: 
Summary: Quick Summary of the Series & A Glimpse of the End
Review: This movie is divided in two parts - "Death" and "Rebirth." Death is a 70 minute summary of the first 24 episodes of the series - with a few new bits added in. (The running time is based on what my DVD player showed.) The movie opens with second impact about to take place. The events that follow are not shown in chronological order. They are organized by character for the most part. The events are presented as Shinji, Rei, and Asuka get ready for a strings rehearsal. (string instruments) If you're reading the manga, some events may be a little different (like what recently happened to Toji), but the main elements are the same so far. (The manga version is not completed yet - even in Japan.) "Rebirth" is the first 30 minutes of End of Evangelion. I guess it acts as a type of teaser for the next movie. The main fight at the end of "Rebirth" has some of the best animation I've seen in the series. However, after seeing this, I disagree with the use of the word "angel" here - except as a creative name. The series suggests it's not simply creativity. The creators of the series insisted the word "angel" be used in the translation even though the Japanese word has other meanings. Even within "Death," more secrets are revealed or confirmed than what was in the TV series. Truths about Eva-01 and Rei are more obvious, and we learn some interesting details about Eva-02 in "Rebirth." If there are any doubts, the text-based information on the Omega side of the DVD spells it all out. This is also a DVD to use the still-frame function on. There are many one second flashs of some interesting items. Near the end of "Rebirth," take a close look at the entry plug on the Eva as the plane is carrying it. This is the first DVD commentary I've listened to completely. It's three members of the English production team who appeared to have no contact with the Japanese team. They discuss some of the headaches involved with the dubbing process. The different symbols in the series are somewhat explained like how the Evas are based on Babylonian gods. Because of how serious and intense the show can be, there is some joking around. ...with Amanda Winn Lee commenting on how much hate mail they're going to get after certain comments. Amanda does the voice of Rei, and has also done voice acting for the dubbed versions of Gunsmith Cats and Blue Seed. Most of the original English cast is here. They were unable to get some actors because they simply could not locate them. The substitutes do a very good job - even for Kaworu. At the beginning, there is about a minute's worth of logos connected with the release of this movie. There is not a chapter stop at the end of them so if you want to skip them, you have to scan forward unless you want to miss part of the movie. The DVD has the original Japanese with subtitles and English. For the English track, some sound effects were redone or enhanced. There is an English 5.1 track. There are no English titles during the credits. That kinda bugged me at first because I didn't know they were credits. All story related text has been translated. Even though parts have been dubbed before, everything has been redone here. For "Death," they didn't simply borrow from the English track from the TV series. The pronounciation of the word "Eva" changed in the English version. In the TV series, they said "ay-va," now it's more like "eh-va." Unlike the TV series DVDs, there are no French or Spanish tracks here. Essentially, you can get the entire story by watching the series and End of Evangelion. This DVD is not required. For a true fan, this is still a nice DVD. There is commentary on "Death" which the TV series does not have. Plus, Second Impact events are actually shown - not just the wings extending from the explosion. The actual experiments are not shown, but you get voices on a radio talking about it as it's happening. You also have a radio or phone conversation between Asuka and Kaji before she arrives. Most of the new items are before the opening titles. There are a few other items scattered throughout. There should be no major surprises for anyone who has seen the series, but you do get a few additional details.
Rating:
Summary: Clarification
Review: What I really think the second half and the next movie are is what physically goes on at the end of the series, while episodes 25 + 26 of the series are what goes on in Shinji's mind instead...You could say they're alternates but...well see the last film and you'll probably get it.
Rating:
Summary: a word of advice
Review: Death is just a recap of the entire series. It can be skipped. Rebirth, on the other hand, is a 23 minute necessary set up for the End of Eva. It's a tall price to pay for 23 minutes of new footage, but worth it if you are a fan of the series. As most people reading this will probably know, the t.v. series ending of Evangelion so enraged both fans and creators, that this direct to video alternate ending was produced. I really enjoy the alternate ending to the series, but it is only properly enjoyed in one sitting with "End of Eva" (I've had a fan sub of it for quite some time). After watching the entire series about 8 times with both endings, I can't really say which ending I like better. The original one does sit well after viewing a few times. Each ending leaves the viewer with very distinct things to think about. As a die hard Eva fan, you won't be able to resist buying this in order to see the other ending; but I strongly urge you to restrain from actually watching it until you can see the entire ending in one sitting, when you have both a copy of this and "End of Eva" in your hands. As far as the story of Rebirth: Messed Up! Violent. Nasty. Mean. No pulled punches. Psychological torment. Basically, what you've come to expect from the creators of this series. Unfortunately, you MUST see Rebirth. It sets up an incredible cliff hanger for the next disc.
Rating: 
Summary: You may not need this, unless you're a staunch completist
Review: The first part is a recap of the series. (There's some 'new' footage of Shinji, Rei, Asuka, and Kaworu [sp? I can never remember] at a quartet rehearsal peppered in here and there... but there's no dialogue and it really isn't 'important'.) I can see why this was released theatrically in Japan, as there were so many people who saw the show when it was broadcast on TV in 1995 and may have forgotten some things over the two years between the end of the series and the release of this film. But for those of us in the US who had to buy and own the series and can watch it at will, it just isn't neccessary. The second part of this movie is actually the first 20 minutes of End of Evangelion, which will be released in the US this fall. The bottom line is, if you already own the series, you can skip this, save your money for now, and spend it on EoE instead. You won't be missing anything.
Rating:
Summary: Frankly, I just love anything Anno....
Review: First off, no, this is not a 'new' movie. The vast, vast majority of it is clips from the first 24 episodes. So right away, if you didn't like the original episodes, you won't like this movie. Second, this movie is erratic and is done in such away that it is more a collage of images rather then a plot driven movie. So be prepared for that (if you didn't like the last 2 episodes, you won't like this movie). But for those of us who did like those episodes, who recognized them for the artistic, philosophical, psychological genius that they were, this movie is a god send. It is pure anno. He juxtaposes harsh images together, and ties them together with the universal themes he developed in the show. All set to the most beautiful baroque music you'll hear (I've had an obsession with Bach since I watched it). The DVD itself is, quiet simply, the best I've ever seen from an Anime publisher. There is a commentrary track that is pretty good (it illuminates much of the religious symbolism I missed), an extremely helpful Eva Encyclopedia, and menus to die for. It would be worth the full $$$, frankly. To reinerate: If you didn't like the series, you'll hate this movie (and most likely End of Evangelion, really). If you did like the show, there's only a chance you'll like this movie. But for those of us that left NGE a little changed, this movie is perfect.
Rating: 
Summary: Death and Rebirth pretty pointless...
Review: Although I've been a fan of Evangelion for a couple years now, and I anticipated the release of this movie, I found it to be kinda pointless. Rebirth was nice, as it made somewhat of an effort to conclude the strange ending to the series, but Death was way too long, not to mention the recap was out of order and (if you haven't seen the whole series) you'll be completely lost.
I suggest you just go rent this, it's not worth buying. However, if you're a die hard Eva fan, you won't want your collection to lack this. The wide screen and the extra features were nice tho, can't wait for End of Eva. to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Great for fans, not for newbies!
Review: This is a good movie! Wanna know why? Read on.
If you've seen the first 24 episodes of Evangelion then you've seen MANY shots from Death, the first portion of this release. Yes, that's right, this film is mostly a recap of the TV series, but you have not experienced a recap like this! Believe me! The reason: the order of the scenes is non-linear, so what you get is a retelling that is out of chronological order; instead, certain characters and themes develope one at a time through related scenes that were once episodes apart. On top of that, you get a number of sequences that WERE NOT in the ADV release of the show, scenes which are available in Japan in the fabled Evangelion Director's Cut Episodes (Episodes 21-24 with some redone scenes and other completely new shots. These were commisioned AFTER the completion of the show; they are not outtakes. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise). If you can't get a fansub of the Director's Cut, or are intrigued by the idea of a non-linear recap, GET THIS MOVIE!
Additionally, there is an awesome 30 minute preview of the finalw of the show, End Of Evangelion (this section of the movie is called Rebirth). If you hated the infamous first ending, you should be blown away by this one. If you loved the original closing (like I did), be sure to give the new one a whirl. It's just as good as those original episodes. If you can't wait until the End Of Evangelion release, then Death & Rebirth is a must have (just for Rebirth).
All in all, there is but one flaw in this amazing package and it's a minor one. Despite the fact that Death is a recap, do not think that it can be used as an introduction to the show. It is completely unintelligable to anyone who doesn't know what's going on! To these people, it would be like reading the pages of a novel in random order. Not fun (or so I imagine... really!). But, like I said, it's a minor flaw to anyone who's seen the entire show.
Rating:
Summary: Big disappionment.
Review: ...Shame really because I enjoyed the TV series (apart from the last 2 episodes). It seems to be snippets joined together in a random order, flashbacks all over the place and subtitles that are more like subliminal messages. At least Rebirth gives us some hope that the next part should be better. I gave it two stars, one for the music and the other beause it is Neon Genesis. Fly Me to The Moon is conspicuous by its absence but the rest of the score is quite good.
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