
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (DVD)

"Final Fantasy" is actually a series of video games for various platforms, but this CG movie is the Jewel of the FF crown. If you've never played any of the games, no worry: the movie is set in such a way that it explains any pertinent parts from the games.
The scenery is at turns lush, beautiful, desolate, and often realistic. The characters are works of true art; even the protagonists have aspects of beauty. Our hero, Cloud Strife, has never looked better -- in fact many have requested that the makers of Advent Children, Square Enix (formerly known as SquareSoft for our game fans out there) do more FF movies in the same CG format. I certainly count myself among those who hope for more of these exciting FF movies!
Fans of cinema and fans of anime will agree that the action scenes in the film are packed with palpable energy, so much so that multiple viewings is a given. I've watched it several times now and have found something new each time. Excellent choreography in all of the battle or chase scenes, and via the magic of CG, we see 'camera angles' that normally one could not film.
Unlike martial art films that sometimes show characters performing unrealistic feats, the heroes and villains of "FF: Advent Children" are able to accomplish supernatural feats due to having been enhanced with cells from JENOVA, a stellar being that arrived on the planet to destroy the human populace. JENOVA was captured by the Shin ra company, who experimented on it's protectorate force known as S.O.L.D.I.E.R., by injecting them with JENOVA cells.
The movie begins at a time two years after a great war. The scars of this war are everywhere, although people have survived and have moved on to rebuild. But a new calamity faces the populace: a plague-like illness called Geostigma. Many orphans of the war -- as well as hero Cloud Strife -- have contracted this illness which has no cure.
When a trio of young thugs arrives, they are on a search for "Mother," and a sinister plot to bring back the greatest villain of the series -- Sephiroth. They round up and indoctrinate the city's orphans who have Geostigma, in order to strengthen their numbers to 'strike back at the planet' and summon Sephiroth.
Although weak from the same illness, Cloud is called in to help. Will our hero overcome his symptoms of plague, and inner guilt for the friends he was unable to save during the war? Will the orphans be rescued? Is there a cure for the terrible stigma? Who are the mysterious trio searching for their mother?
While the film has undoubtedly attracted anime fans, the characters, scenery, and action are not like the anime genre; "Advent Children" is much more like a true movie. Sometimes one can forget the animation aspect as the actors are so lifelike, they are truly tri-dimensional, and react with elements of the movie as such. But then CG is based on actual actors, which lends to the authenticity.
The bonus DVD shows deleted scenes, and fascinating interviews with the director and those who brought the magic to "life." You can also choose to watch the movie dubbed in English, or in it's original Japanese with subtitles; widescreen format, rated PG-13 (mostly due to a mild profanity, as there is very little gore in the film). I also recommend "MovieMagicUSA" as the eBay seller I bought this from -- check them out for unbeatable deals and unmatched service!
Fun for all ages, "Final Fantasy: Advent Children" has something for everyone, a true CG jewel!
Review ID: 10000000007288133

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