‘Attack on Titan’ finale comes to the big screen
The anime phenomenon that is “Attack on Titan” finally concluded in November 2023, a little over a decade since it debuted. The journey fans had been following culminated in an epic battle for the fate of the world, and did not disappoint.
A little over a year later, that epic finale comes to the big screen in “Attack on Titan: The Last Attack,” a compilation film that combines the final specials with some upgraded visuals and a new post-credits scene.
Be warned though: this is for the fans. Which is to say, it is not “new viewer”-friendly. There is no “Previously on … ” recap, characters don’t introduce themselves, and audiences are thrust immediately into the saga’s final act. If you are going in blind, you will be overwhelmed and have to pick up things as you go, which may be possible but certainly whole chunks will be missing and nuances, references, and callbacks will be lost on you.
When it begins, “The Rumbling” has begun, in which the Wall Titans are on the march, effectively trampling everything in their path. Every Marleyan is desperately seeking safety and shelter, but finding none. Our brave heroes are set to embark on a near-hopeless trip to try and stop Eren Jaeger, who as the Founding Titan is leading all the Wall Titans. But even leaving for the trip is complicated, with time running out and the Wall Titans arriving much sooner than expected.
The other complication is the differing opinions on what exactly to do with Eren when they get to him: Can he be reasoned with? Or is it more prudent simply to execute him? Mikasa and Armin certainly don’t want to see their childhood friend dead, but they absolutely cannot ignore what carnage and decimation has been unleashed in his wake.
Epic conclusion
“Last Attack” is also long, clocking in at two-and-a-half hours. The final two specials were divided into seven episodes for some streaming platforms, so that’s an estimate of what you’re looking at in binge-watching terms. However, series director Yuichiro Hayashi has mentioned that when storyboarding the final two specials he intended for them to be viewed as a single film, and that this compilation is the optimal way to experience this epic conclusion.
Added to the film is a post-credits scene that seems to be addressing the response to the finale when it first aired in episodic form. Whatever camp you’re in, it’s a sweet little postscript to a story that has had fans waiting in anticipation for years. Aside from that, the time since the initial airing has been put to use by upgrading some of the visuals. Some shots were redrawn and everything looks more cohesive with an improved flow.
All of this means: The parts that were great remain so, are improved, and look fantastic on the big screen. The highlight, thrill-wise, has to be the assault on the Founding Titan, a ridiculous-looking skeletal behemoth straight out of primal nightmares, tall as a mountain but with a protruding demonic face with long hair. The pitched battle has several stages like the Final Big Boss of a video game you’ve sunk 100 hours into. It is fast, surprising, and filled with action delights.
The best part of “Attack on Titan”’s action sequences is when the teamwork is on full display, and it definitely is here, as Mikasa, Levi, Connie, Jean, Reiner, and Pieck push themselves past their limits.
“Last Attack” allows fans to celebrate and relive the conclusion of their beloved saga in style, with improved visuals and booming audio, best seen with like-minded enthusiasts, wondering at what was accomplished by Studio Mappa.
