As a tribute and sequel to Final Fantady VII, Advent Children success in many levels, but falls a little bit short in so
+ Revisits one of the most wonderful worlds ever created in a video game
+ Said world has never looked so good and alive
+ Wonderful soundtrack that evokes a sense of nostalgia
+ Exciting and masterfully choreographed battle sequences
Cons
- It would have been better to see a game
-The plot is very shallow
Even after ten years, the name Final Fantasy VII still echoes in people's minds and hearts, as memories and a sense of nostalgia invade like a torrent. A game full of great characters, memorable moments and an endearing story matched by few, many fans, including myself have dreamt of the day when Cloud and his friends would once again reunite. And after ten long years, Square has delivered Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, a movie which Square hopes satisfy those who have remained faithful to the title.
Advent Children picks up 2 years after the end of the game, and already trouble is brewing. And our hero is not up to the challenge. It seems that with the passage of time, Cloud has lost all of his strength and his will to live. The feelings of regret left by the deaths of Aerith and Zack have finally taken a toll on the lonely warrior. What's worse, Cloud is also afflicted by an incurable disease named Geostigma, that is slowly and painfully killing him. And he has no interest in fighting it. With Cloud in this state, new enemies, lead by the dangerous and powerful Kadaj arise with the one dream of invocating a new reunion, and a new Sephiroth. Now Cloud, has to pick up the pieces of his life and quickly put them together so he can once again save the world.
While the story sounds good on paper, it certainly leaves a bit to be desired on its exposition. Rather than taking its time to develop properly, it seems more of an excuse to pit Cloud in larger than life battle against incredible opponents. It also leaves some areas that are not left quite clear, such as the origin of Kadaj and his gang. This wouldn't be much of a problem if it weren't for the fact that Kadaj plays a vital role in the story. Is not to say that Advent Children is all-bad, on the contrary. The film showcases incredibly choreographed battle sequences, which are nothing short of astonishing. The movie also has great scenes that convey the tone of the story and are just as poignant as the best moments of the game. The interactions between Cloud and Tifa are endearing, and Cloud's visions of Aerith are downright emotional and nostalgic. Kadaj also makes for an emotional and passionate villain. Had the movie taken more time with him, he could have been just as iconic as the cast of the game. The members of Avalanche, even when most have been reduced to cameo appearances, retain the personalities and behaviors that made them so memorable. It also does a great job at evoking the sense of comradeship that the main cast of the game is known for. There is some great stuff in there, had it been more consistent, this could have been a story just as memorable as the one it follows.
The graphics in Advent Children go beyond those established by the ill-fated Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within theatrical release, which is an outstanding accomplishment. The characters all look and behave like real humans, even with their larger than life abilities and powers. The facial expressions bring an incredible amount of life and emotion to the already animated cast. The scenarios will also bring a sense of nostalgia to those who have experienced the magic of the Final Fantasy VII world. The choreographies for the fight scenes and animations are amazing and need to be seen to be believed. From a normal slice from Cloud sword, to him jumping in mid-air while dodging bullets and clashing with another opponent, never has action felt so intense while looking so good.
The soundtrack is just as varied and memorable as the one heard in the game. There are several new compositions, while favorites such as "One Winged Angel" sound like never before. The Japanese cast does a great job and every character, from the passionate Kadaj, to the ever brooding Cloud and Vincent sound their parts. The English cast, while not as impressive as the Japanese one overall, has some great performances as well.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is a movie made for the fans. While no prior experience is needed to enjoy the film as a stand-alone story, only those who have played the game will understand what is going on and feel for the characters on screen. As a tribute and sequel to Final Fantady VII, Advent Children success in many levels, but falls a little bit short in some very important aspects. Don't let these misses detract you however from a story that while not as epic or cohesive as the original, still has its heart in the right place.