Post by ravenwithoutcause on Sept 14, 2005 12:05:22 GMT -5
For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past few years, Square Enix has been up to something devious, so devious in fact it makes fans of their games all giddy and insane, like young children with dangerous doses of morphine. That’s right, Square Enix is back with another movie, and this time it’s big, so big that it’s gone straight to DVD. It’s so big… wait, huh?
Now I know what you’re thinking, Square Enix aren’t really the best when it comes to making movies. Final Fantasy: The Sprits Within was the prime example where you can’t help but judge Square Enix’s movie making abilities purely on that. However that’s where you’re wrong. Even though the film boasted superb graphics, a great cast of actors but a sour storyline which confused the majority of the audience, Square Enix has softened the wounds created by The Spirits Within. How? By creating one of the best CG movies I have seen based on one of the greatest games on the PlayStation. Enter, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children continues on from the world renowned PlayStation title, Final Fantasy VII. It is a film which acts as a sequel to the videogame, and takes us back to the industrial-insipired city of Midgar with open arms, enveloping our eyes into the once basic world of pixels into magical CG goodness. We are reunited with our favourite hero, Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER, and his new found way of life in Midgar. However after the ‘incident’ in which the group ‘Avalanche’ performed a new illness creeps through the ruins of Midgar, Geostigma. One which weakens those who are affected greatly and leaves a noticeable scar, but worst of all, there is no cure. Thus Cloud must one again take up his sword, and return to his duties.
I don’t want to bore you with the entire storyline since this is strictly a no spoiler review. However this film is very good. So good in fact it’s amazing. So amazing it’s a film I can call ‘Spectacular’. The film is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and has graphics to die for. There is no other film out there, whether real life or CG that compares to Advent Children. On top of that, it’s a videogame movie. How many videogame movies have you seen which were actually good? For the record, I haven’t seen any. Advent Children is that good. The graphics are splendid, with realistic motion capture working here and there, luscious colours for the vivid Final Fantasy world, breathtaking CG views of water and other mystical elements. Think The Sprits Within, but even better than that. The voice acting lives up to the name as well. I watched the original Japanese version, so there were subtitles, but all the actors and actresses suited the characters perfectly: Barret with his grunt-like voice, Vincent with his calm yet cool attitude, Yuffie and her cute and sprited tone. Square Enix has brought the videogame to life, and then some. If it’s anything to look forward to in Advent Children, it’s the action scenes. Have you ever seen Cloud move this fast? I highly doubt it. The fighting is all paced very quickly, so if you can’t keep up keep a sick bag handy. There’s long massive sword fights, raging bike chases, it’s all there. It’s just a matter of you being able to take it all in.
However, if you’re not a Final Fantasy fan, this might not be the film for you. Some might consider the storyline to be complicated, oddly structured and out of place, purely because they’re not into the Final Fantasy scene as much as other fans. The film does give a good introduction and back story of the events Final Fantasy VII, but if that’s not enough, you best be doing some extra reading and playing afterwards. The action scenes, whilst excellent, may appear too ‘over the top’ to some as well, especially with all the flying around and slow motion just to help everyone catch up.
All in all, Advent Children is a great film. It caters towards fans very well by continuing on with the storyline and providing good show, and tries to go easy on newcomers who haven’t completed the original PlayStation game. Whether you’re a gamer or movie lover, Final Fantasy Advent Children is the one to watch this autumn. If you don’t, then go back to the rock you were living under.
Now I know what you’re thinking, Square Enix aren’t really the best when it comes to making movies. Final Fantasy: The Sprits Within was the prime example where you can’t help but judge Square Enix’s movie making abilities purely on that. However that’s where you’re wrong. Even though the film boasted superb graphics, a great cast of actors but a sour storyline which confused the majority of the audience, Square Enix has softened the wounds created by The Spirits Within. How? By creating one of the best CG movies I have seen based on one of the greatest games on the PlayStation. Enter, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children continues on from the world renowned PlayStation title, Final Fantasy VII. It is a film which acts as a sequel to the videogame, and takes us back to the industrial-insipired city of Midgar with open arms, enveloping our eyes into the once basic world of pixels into magical CG goodness. We are reunited with our favourite hero, Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER, and his new found way of life in Midgar. However after the ‘incident’ in which the group ‘Avalanche’ performed a new illness creeps through the ruins of Midgar, Geostigma. One which weakens those who are affected greatly and leaves a noticeable scar, but worst of all, there is no cure. Thus Cloud must one again take up his sword, and return to his duties.
I don’t want to bore you with the entire storyline since this is strictly a no spoiler review. However this film is very good. So good in fact it’s amazing. So amazing it’s a film I can call ‘Spectacular’. The film is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and has graphics to die for. There is no other film out there, whether real life or CG that compares to Advent Children. On top of that, it’s a videogame movie. How many videogame movies have you seen which were actually good? For the record, I haven’t seen any. Advent Children is that good. The graphics are splendid, with realistic motion capture working here and there, luscious colours for the vivid Final Fantasy world, breathtaking CG views of water and other mystical elements. Think The Sprits Within, but even better than that. The voice acting lives up to the name as well. I watched the original Japanese version, so there were subtitles, but all the actors and actresses suited the characters perfectly: Barret with his grunt-like voice, Vincent with his calm yet cool attitude, Yuffie and her cute and sprited tone. Square Enix has brought the videogame to life, and then some. If it’s anything to look forward to in Advent Children, it’s the action scenes. Have you ever seen Cloud move this fast? I highly doubt it. The fighting is all paced very quickly, so if you can’t keep up keep a sick bag handy. There’s long massive sword fights, raging bike chases, it’s all there. It’s just a matter of you being able to take it all in.
However, if you’re not a Final Fantasy fan, this might not be the film for you. Some might consider the storyline to be complicated, oddly structured and out of place, purely because they’re not into the Final Fantasy scene as much as other fans. The film does give a good introduction and back story of the events Final Fantasy VII, but if that’s not enough, you best be doing some extra reading and playing afterwards. The action scenes, whilst excellent, may appear too ‘over the top’ to some as well, especially with all the flying around and slow motion just to help everyone catch up.
All in all, Advent Children is a great film. It caters towards fans very well by continuing on with the storyline and providing good show, and tries to go easy on newcomers who haven’t completed the original PlayStation game. Whether you’re a gamer or movie lover, Final Fantasy Advent Children is the one to watch this autumn. If you don’t, then go back to the rock you were living under.
