Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion is the third movie based on the anime series. The first two were really rehashes of the original series, retelling the story with few differences. This time we get an entirely new story. But is this where the tale ends?
We start off by seeing Madoka and her fellow Magical Girls team up to destroy the Nightmares attacking their city. They seem to be having a lot of fun being an unbeatable group of four. And Mami has a pet named Bebe, who is. . . . Some sort of creature. Life is good for these happy school girls, and then they get a new member. Her name is Homera, dark haired, shy and with glasses. So now the team of five goes off to save their town and have fun, fun, fun.
OK. This is where you have your WTF moment. This is entirely different from where the series and the two movies left off. What is going on here? Where is the darkness? Where is the angst? Nothing seems to fit with what we have seen before. About forty-five minutes into the film, Homera starts noticing and asking questions. That is when it gets pretty hairy. This is not the real world. It is a surrealistic dream. But who is behind it? A witch? An Incubator? Or maybe even one of the Magical Girls? Is this dream a trap?
There are several surprise twists and turns along the way, including past the ending. DO NOT STOP WATCHING DURING THE CREDITS! There is one more scene after the credits roll which leaves everything up to debate.
The story-line does get confusing, especially with that final post-credit scene which comes out of nowhere. We have no idea what lead up to it. Maybe we will see in the next movie? The story development does seem to leave things open for a fourth film, although it has been three years since Rebellion came out. It is hard to imagine writer/creator Gen Urobuchi leaving the story as is. It still cries out for another finale.
As this is a movie, there is more of an effort in the animation than for a series, though it may not meet the standards of other feature films. The artwork though is outstanding giving us an unreal dream world as background.
Despite the confused plot line, I still liked Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion. It may not totally recapture the darkness of the original series, but it comes close enough. The twists and turns keep you interested. And the ending will have Madoka fans debating.
No nudity. No profanity. Some violence. There is some talk of death. Suitable for pre-teen and older. Just do not watch until you have seen the series, or at least the first two movies.
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