Brian McAfee
This is the direct sequel to the TV series, or the two recap movies. It picks up shortly after Madoka's transformation into her ultimate form, where she changed the fate of all magical girls, became "The Law of Cycles," and disappeared from the world, forgotten by everyone but Homura. So why is she in this movie? Why is Sayaka present? Why does Kyoko go to school with the rest of the girls? Why can't Kyubey talk? And where are the wraiths that I expected the girls to be fighting? The movie expects you to pick up on all these things which aren't quite right. It starts off basically re-playing the events of the first episode of the series, but with lots of differences, which quickly add up to "everybody is way too happy!" Homura eventually realizes this, and starts searching for answers. She's fairly certain everyone is supposed to be miserable, and she's going to fix things. Sayaka even blatantly confronts her about the inevitable outcome of her quest to set the world right, but Homura just won't listen. Let's break it down:Animation: 9.5 You can really tell the budget for this show was much higher than the series. Everything is so detailed, crisp, and beautiful. The series used the witch labyrinths to showcase some outstanding and heavily symbolic imagery courtesy of Gekidan Inu Curry. We get more of that here, and perhaps a bit too much. Akiyuki Shinbo has gone completely ballistic with the symbolism and imagery, to the point of sensory overload. This overdose of imagery is really the only negative I can find with the art of this movie. It's definitely an eye-popping extravaganza. Where the original series story was told with 80% actions/dialogue and 20% visual symbolism and metaphor, you get a complete reversal here. Rebellion's story is told, perhaps as much as 80% in visual symbolism and metaphor, and only 20% through character dialogue and action. Get ready to watch this again, 'cause there ain't no way you are going to take all this in on just one viewing. Sound: 9.5 Yuki Kajiura has knocked it out of the park once again. This soundtrack is very original and memorable. Clara Dolls, Mada Dameyo, Flame of Despair, etc. Some songs here will definitely get stuck in your head, and you won't mind it at all! Still, I can't give it a 10 since I do like the music from the original series better. Still, this soundtrack is pure magic. The English dub is quite good. Cabanos did a great job as Madoka, and the entire cast did a fantastic job. Of note was Christina Vee, reprising her role as Homura. Her performance in the series was outstanding, and this is more of the same high quality work. The translation was extremely faithful, with a few exceptions, all of which I felt were improvements (let me explain before you take up arms). Subtle changes were made during the pivotal scene where Homura and Madoka are in a field of flowers, talking around the issue of Madoka's decision to become the Law of Cycles. Many fans completely missed the fact that this conversation fully justified (in her mind) Homura's actions at the end of the movie, and the dub does a much better job of conveying that idea. Also, Kyubey is used exclusively as an exposition fountain near the end of the movie, explaining to the audience what has been going on behind the scenes. This explanation seemed to flow nicely and was easier to follow. The glaring exception to all this is the Cake Song. I wish they hadn't had to translate it. The English dub of the cake song just isn't the same. Story: 9.0 Its very hard not to compare this to the original series… Perhaps impossible. Still, while it may be fair to compare the music or the animation to the original, Rebellion lacks the running time to compete in the story area, but wow, what they did in the two hours they were given is still outstanding. To paraphrase another reviewer (http://kotaku.com/the-new-modoka-magica-movie-is- the-sequel-you-never-kne-1453844468#), it's fantastic that watching five girls having fun and eating cake can inspire a feeling that 'something is horribly wrong!' It's also a fun ride following Homura as she realizes the world is not as it should be and searches for the reason why. And the ending! You will either hate it or love it. I haven't found anyone yet who wasn't totally polarized by the ending. I'm firmly in the "Homura did nothing wrong!" camp. After all, when the series ended, she was the only magical girl whose wish had not been granted, and after everything she went through, she earned that ending. Bought and paid for. And before you say that her actions overrode, or disrespected Madoka's wish, remember that Madoka's wish overrode Homura's. Turnabout is fair play. When you sell your soul for something, and you don't get it, it's time to go to extremes. Characters: 7.0 This is Homura's movie, and she is the main character, and the focus of any and all development. It works well if, like me, Homura is your favorite character, but if you are looking to see more of any other character, you may be a little disappointed. Still, Homura's journey from meek to powerful, from stable to demented is a ride worth the ticket price.Overall: 8.7 Not as epic as the original series, but how could it have been? When a show has such a solid ending as Madoka Magica, adding new content is usually a recipe for disaster. Everyone hopes that the unnecessary sequel will be more than just a bid to make more money off a successful name. This new chapter of the Madoka Magica story is definitely not resting on its laurels.
Ore-Sama
I love "Magic Madoka", and was curious about this movie that follows up the movies, so by extension, the series (for those who don't know, the first two movies are a slightly condensed version of the 12 episode series) If you don't know anything about Madoka, you should stop reading here, unless spoilers don't bother you.The movie is slightly confusing at first, and I can't describe the plot too well without giving away spoilers. I can say this much: Homura wakes up in a world where all her friends are back and they're all happily fighting monsters together. Homura grows suspicious. About as much as I can say.Honestly, of all the ways to continue this franchise, this seems like one of the best options. It really takes Homura's character in a fascinating direction. It doesn't feel like a cash in, cause a cash in would've just had a mindless action movie with an excuse plot, and not the furthering development of Homura. There are scenes here more shocking than anything even in the series. It's not the stereotypical direction.Of course some people aren't going to like this. Some for legitimate reasons, cause the ending of the series was perfect. Though that doesn't make this movie bad by any stretch. It's a great character piece for Homura, and given the ending, I would certainly look forward to another follow up.
Jose Cruz
The first two PMMM movies are, at the time I was writing this review, the most powerful emotional experience I ever had while looking at a screen. The third one is much weaker than the masterpiece that the original duology is (which is made up of the TV series edited with a few cosmetic improvements and a few scenes cut there and here). This sequel was only made as a cash grab to capture the money of the fans of the original duology/TV series, nothing less and nothing more. Still, given it's a cash grab sequel it is actually excellent if compared to other ones, Urobuchi is a very talented writer, able to come up with very creative and unexpected plot developments that one would never get in a conventional Hollywood movie.
