Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Watching The Movie:
Enjoyment of this as a movie is highly correlated to enjoyment of Final Fantasy VII and the universe and lore created therein. However, that's not to say that knowing every aspect of lore around the narrative is necessary. My wife went in knowing very little about FFVII and was not entirely lost in the story. The movie does a good job giving at least a base framework of who the characters are to one another and the general issues going in within the world. If you like frantic, non-stop action then it's likely you'll enjoy watching this movie, even if it is only once.
Screening the Film:
Obviously, a movie with the word children in the title will have a few images of the parental relationships, specifically between mothers and sons. There also is significant imagery around familial bonds of siblings with specific focus on brothers. Given the focus on Rufus, the Turks, and Shinra in general, there's some pretty specific imagery around consequences, accountability and redemption. Strong imagery of parasitic biology. And of course, it wouldn't be a Final Fantasy VII story without a whole lot of images around synergy vs exceptionalism, namely the strong loner struggling to accept the assistance and friendships of others that care for them. However, the most interesting imagery and messaging to consider might be that of legacy and living up to expectations.
Best Dialogue:
The Bottom Line:
This is kind of a tricky one to try and score. It's a fun little 2.5 hour return to the Final Fantasy VII crew, but the total crew is never in the same place at the same time (Vincent only helps Cloud in the Forgotten City and is not present at the battle of Midgar), and party members not named Cloud or Tifa really only have a few minutes of ass-kicking on screen. For a movie built on a video game where Shinra are the villains; this flick sure spends a good amount of time turning Rufus and the Turks into Anti-Heroes. I'd go so far as to say that Reno and Roode are the true stars of this flick as a lot of the more fun and interesting moments are centered around them (i.e. Roode losing his sunglasses in battle, his opponent stepping on them, and him immediately pulling a new, identical pair out of his jacket and putting them on as if nothing happened). It also has a pretty screwy method of dating itself as two years after the events of the game. There's a lot of taking the long way around the narrative before the story proper gets going.
In terms of movies based on video games though, it's good; which is difficult enough in and of itself, as a stand alone movie, it's perfectly fine, as a Final Fantasy VII story, it's a little off of it's mark and really could do more with the rest of the crew...except for Cait Sith, I'm really not sure why the fuck he was there....and apparently Scottish.
3.75 out of 5 - Pretty Good
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