Fat Ninja

It seems like nearly a lifetime ago that I first caught the trailer for Squaresoft’s CG-animated feature, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Well, after a long wait, it’s finally released in the U.S., and to say that I was excited at the prospect of getting my hands on a copy would be an understatement of monumental proportions. I know the following admission could get me banned in certain circles, and crucified in others, but I sincerely enjoyed Square’s previous effort, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Spirits) and I was excited to see their mastery of computer animation in action once more.

Exorcising Spirits

I fully realize that Spirits beared little semblance to the Final Fantasy franchise, beyond the fact that Squaresoft was responsible for both. I know that a lot of fans felt tricked by the use of the Final Fantasy moniker within Spirit’s title. I was forunate in several ways. First, I was not so intimately involved with the gaming franchise that Spirit’s departure from that universe was a disappointment. Secondly, this lack of attachment enabled me to disassociate the film from the game, and thereby enjoy the film for what it was. Others, specifically the diehard fans, apparently could not detach the film from the role-playing series long enough to search for redeeming qualities in Spirits. Now, years later, as a grossly overstated, to say nothing of belated (at least for the U.S. release), apology to those diehard fans comes Squaresoft’s latest feature film, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.

Cloud Strife, our hero, lives up to his name as he struggles to find peace

Picking up in the wake of what many consider to be the best iteration in the Final Fantasy game franchise, Advent Children finds the metropolis of Midgar in tatters; a state of affairs compounded by a plague referred to as Geostigma. Our protagonist, Cloud Strife, suffers from this afflicition, but is likewise plagued by violent memories of events that took place three years prior. However, when the evil Kadaj and two other “remnants” (i.e. clones) of Cloud’s former friend-turned-adversary, Sephiroth, come seeking to wreak further havoc, Cloud must once more put aside peace, along with his tortured past, and save the people of Midgar.

The spectre of Sephiroth’s treachery remains…

Virtually Perfect

Told through the stirring CG animation that Squaresoft has become renowned for, Advent Children is a beautiful film. Each frame represents a meticulously crafted piece of the movie’s whole. Featuring some truly intense action sequences, there are things that Advent Children does that simply could not be achieved in a live-action film. But what is truly amazing is that, despite this, there are moments when you might actually forget that what you’re watching isn’t live action.

…and lives on in Kadaj

FINAL THOUGHTS

While the storyline isn’t always, shall we say, coherent, one easily overlooks this fact when processing the incredible realism that Square has managed to capture with Advent Children. As a worthy tribute both to the popular gaming franchise, as well as to the legions of fans that adore it, there is little doubt that the uninitiated will fail to find much to enjoy with this one, beyond an appreciation for the stunning art design. Steeped heavily in the lore of the game universe from which it was born, there is far too much backstory for this one to strike a chord with someone who hasn’t played the games. Still, when you consider that Advent Children represents a long overdue atonement to and acknowledgement of the community that has stood by the RPG saga, one can’t rightfully hold its lack of universal appeal against it.

Share This