Let me start by saying that Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is really the coolest, most stylish, visually stunning CG film I have seen to date. It's insanely pretty to watch, but not a very fulfilling experience overall. Scratch beyond the surface and you're not going to find an awful lot.
I've played the video game on which the movie is based and I'm a huge fan of the entire series. But even being familiar with the characters and story I struggled to get a grasp on the events in this film. It seems to get carried away with a lot of self-important, pseudo philosophical mumbo jumbo - it takes itself much too seriously. Instead of delivering us even just a half decent, engaging story to go along with the kick butt visuals and action sequences, it buries itself with a convoluted and at times contrived tale that focuses on three bad guys with gender identity issues and their Oedipus Rex complex.
I love that this is way more "Final Fantasy" than its predecessor Final Fantasy: Spirits Within ever was. But the Final Fantasy feel here is mostly just a surface treatment, and that's disappointing. It seems as though they have tried too hard to cram all of the depth from a 30 hour gaming experience into the space of 90 minutes, and this competes with the hyperactive, mind-numbing action sequences that play at warp speed and demand 100% of your attention.
I understand that the US release date for this film has been pushed back and I only hope they can tinker with the storyline a little bit and make it more accessible and easy to absorb for the casual movie fan.
I gave it an 8 out of 10 purely because I love the characters and to simply watch the action unfold on screen is a trip like no other. As it is I could only recommend this film to fans of the video game and animation buffs. Not for the casual movie fan.
I've played the video game on which the movie is based and I'm a huge fan of the entire series. But even being familiar with the characters and story I struggled to get a grasp on the events in this film. It seems to get carried away with a lot of self-important, pseudo philosophical mumbo jumbo - it takes itself much too seriously. Instead of delivering us even just a half decent, engaging story to go along with the kick butt visuals and action sequences, it buries itself with a convoluted and at times contrived tale that focuses on three bad guys with gender identity issues and their Oedipus Rex complex.
I love that this is way more "Final Fantasy" than its predecessor Final Fantasy: Spirits Within ever was. But the Final Fantasy feel here is mostly just a surface treatment, and that's disappointing. It seems as though they have tried too hard to cram all of the depth from a 30 hour gaming experience into the space of 90 minutes, and this competes with the hyperactive, mind-numbing action sequences that play at warp speed and demand 100% of your attention.
I understand that the US release date for this film has been pushed back and I only hope they can tinker with the storyline a little bit and make it more accessible and easy to absorb for the casual movie fan.
I gave it an 8 out of 10 purely because I love the characters and to simply watch the action unfold on screen is a trip like no other. As it is I could only recommend this film to fans of the video game and animation buffs. Not for the casual movie fan.