Re-Adventing the Child Within
Okay folks. Here you are and here I am. I just got Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and I am here to say WOW!!! I have been waiting for this for so long. Almost as long as everyone else I bet. But seriously, the wait is over and it was well worth it.
The movie is just a gorgeous sight to behold. Take any cut-scene you have ever seen from SquareEnix and multiply it by a billion and you have some idea of how beautiful this film is. Square used the same technology that was used for FF: Spirits Within and from the Animatrix scene, but this looks even more refined. It would seem more work has been put into the technology as the years have passed and that stands to reason. The result is an even more realistic look and a much faster and natural style of computer animation.
The story, I'm happy to report, is much better than Spirits Within. This is taken right out of the Final Fantasy VII universe and everything stays true to each original character and concept. Some have said the story is hard to follow, but I did not find this to be the case at all. The problem may be the fact that this is a very Japanese style of storytelling and it does not always translate well in terms of storytelling, not dialogue, to many westerners. But if you are familiar with games, anime, or some of the recent films to break out from Japanese cinema, you should be okay. I'd say if you have played Final Fantasy VII then the storyline will make sense to you.
The English voice over is outstanding, but as any self-respecting otaku will agree, this needs to be watched in Japanese to get the full emotion and effect. It just feels very Japanese in story and style. Some might compare it to anime, but I think this would be a mistake. We are looking at a whole new level, style, and sub-genre of animation. I don't even think it can be categorized. I think the short excerpt from the Animatrix started this movement, but it's so new that it has not been given a genre of it's own.
The DVD version of this movie comes with loads of extras such as interviews, behind the scenes making of featurettes, and even some deleted scenes. You also get to preview some of the upcoming games in what is now known as the expanding Final Fantasy VII universe. While nothing has been mentioned of the oft rumored Final Fantasy VII remake, after seeing this film and considering the franchise's popularity, I think a Final Fantasy VII remake is inevitable. I also believe that we'll see it sometime next year as some kind of ten year anniversary edition or something. It only makes sense.
I can not stress to you all enough how great this movie is. It is the new evolution in the Final Fantasy VII universe and also in straight to DVD releases. Aside from "Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story", this could be the best straight to DVD release ever. You all need to get it if you like anything Final Fantasy, especially if you are like the multitudes out there that think Final Fantasy VII is the best game ever. If you beat the game, get this film so you can find out what happens next. Then you're gonna have to get Dirge of Cerebus: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy; Before Crisis, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core.... Wow. What the hell did Final Fantasy X-2 start? Who cares? As for me, I have my head in a Cloud.