Revolutionary Girl Utena: Adolescence of Utena is a 1999 Japanese anime film directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, a cinematic companion and partial retelling of the original television series of the same name. This movie takes fragments of its original series and rearranges them into a standalone tale that gives its characters and metaphors a fresh twist.

The main protagonist, Utena Tenjou, is an adolescent girl who decides to become a prince during her childhood. Upon losing her parents at a very young age, a prince on a white horse comforted her and gave her a signet ring bearing a strange rose crest. Touched by his kindness and nobility, Utena vowed to be a prince herself one day, symbolizing courageous, noble guardians in fairy tales who save princesses in distress. Utena is no one's damsel and aims to subvert the damsel/prince tropes, making her a distinct character compared to traditional anime girls.

Transferring to Ohtori Academy for her middle school education, Utena recognizes the rose crest everywhere in the school façade. It leads her to the Rose Garden, a mystical environment where student council members duel each other for the "Rose Bride's" hand. The winner supposedly holds the power to revolutionize the world. Accidentally becoming a part of these duel games, Utena, with her tomboyish nature and athletic prowess, fights through the strictures of femininity and masculinity, tradition and oppression.

The Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya, is another central character in the film, a seemingly passive girl who becomes the possession of whomever wins the duels. However, Anthy's role is much more complicated than that of a mere trophy, and as the movie progresses, the mysteries surrounding her continue to unfold.

Adolescence of Utena stands apart from its television counterpart through its aesthetical and narrative shifts. Throughout the film, Ikuhara experiments with surreal visuals, metaphoric storytelling, and provocative themes of adolescence, sexuality, gender, identity and societal norms. Known for its exceptionally artistic design, it embraces abstract architecture, tremendous castle settings floating in the sky, and stylized Rose Garden duels filled with roses, swords, elegant uniforms, and so much more, adding an avant-garde aesthetic to the film. The movie, although heavy with symbolism, is never overwhelming as it provides stunning visual storytelling that harmonizes with its deep narrative.

The movie also delves deeply into feminist themes. Utena challenges traditional gender roles through its primary character, a girl aiming to become a prince. Anthy's role as the Rose Bride also displays the sexism deep-rooted in society as she's seen more like an object than a human being. The movie intelligently critiques these societal norms and attempts to portray the empowerment and freedom that come with breaking free of these pre-established roles.

As Utena duels to protect Anthy, they both navigate through the labyrinthine structure of societal expectations and self-realization, trying to redefine their identities. Their dynamic and complex relationship forms the backbone of the film's plot, building up to an awe-inspiring climax that pushes the boundaries of anime storytelling.

The soundtrack composed by J.A. Seazer and Shinkichi Mitsumune is vital to the atmosphere and emotion of the film. The movie opens with a rousing operatic number that sets the tone and showcases some of the most iconic music in anime, with each duel accompanied by choral rock music that intensifies the action on screen.

Revolutionary Girl Utena: Adolescence of Utena is an exceptional work of art that challenges norms and takes risks while reimagining tales of princes and princesses. With its potent metaphors, emotional depth, complex characters, and exceptional visual storytelling, this film offers an immersive and transformative journey that is capable of leaving viewers awestruck and contemplative. At its core, this movie is about adolescence, growing up, questioning the world around you, and ultimately setting your path, making it an unforgettable cinema experience for many.