I'm not sure how I'd feel. I'm not the biggest Madoka TV fan (particularly the entire dank middle section with Sayaka) - I thought Rebellion was way more fun... I guess it all depends how Rising actually is for me. I did not like the dental checks in trailers one bit, or Bebe spinning on a pole...
Before I saw Rebellion, I thought "what's the point? The conclusion of the series was great". After I saw it, I thought "OK, very good job to do a conclusion so good after the good conclusion of the series". So, I have faith for this movie but I also think it needs to end.
From my very recent perspective, I would say Rebellion was darker than the original TV series.
It was a worthy continuation to the OG I think (just saw it over the weekend). It took me some time to get into the flow of it initially, but it was quite a unique story and thought-provoking. Hearing all the Kalafina songs that I didn't know where part of this was a pleasant surprise.
The movie introduced quite a few new things that I hope are further evolved in the upcoming one(s):
- Homura expanded the expression of a witch's reality-warping Labyrinth abilities (take over a city and run it like a real space, erase/rewrite memories).
- Looking at their sizes I wonder about the Walpurgisnacht witch from the original series, Homura and hypothetical Madoka with forms in terms of power comparison. They first two were city size while Madoka was entering the stratosphere.
- The return of Sayaka with her witch powers but under control and Bebe too being returned to her human form later and working with Mami.
- Mami and Homura's gunfight scene (to Absolute Configuration) was one of the more invigorating fight scenes I've seen recently. The fact they are both gunslingers took it to a whole new level. I think Mami's my favorite conceptually in terms of general style (costumer, her hair power) and fighting technique.
- So Homura's selfish desire to control Madoka out of "love" caused her to be willing to become anything to achieve that... Twisted.