Why the movies are disappointing.

Neither "Death and Rebirth," or "End of Evangelion" are really continuations or conclusions to the series. The series ends with a lot of questions unanswered, but the movies change too many plot points -- especially "Death and Rebirth."

At the end of the series, Shinji is finally getting his head together. He is the only one of the children who seems to be getting his mind straight. Rei is still questioning her purpose and existence, and Asuka is still in a catatonic state thanks to her obsessive hatred -- especially that directed towards Shinji. Even Misato has a few problems to resolve.

But "Death and Rebirth" does away with the final two episodes. Instead of being on his way to healing, Shinji is more screwed up than ever. Wouldn't it have been more interesting to have Shinji perhaps backtrack on his road to recovery after learning of his father's sins?

Also, the series recap which constitutes "Death" rewrites the Asuka character. In the series, despite her harshness towards Shinji, one gets the impression that she is originally fond of him. But as Shinji improves as an Eva pilot, and as Asuka's mental condition deteriorates, she develops a strong hatred towards Shinju. In the "Death" part of the movie, all that is cut out of the story. We do not see the cruel Asuka that develops over the last half of the series. The producers dealt with a key plot point by ignoring it. Pity. It was one of the more interesting developments of the series.