'The Best Fan Service Ever Created.'
Written by Amaru
Advent Children is an amazing accomplishment. What first began life as a short 15 minute retrospective piece on Cloud, quickly turned into a full CGI movie. After
The Spirits Within, it was quite easy to understand any and all hesitations with this project, but from the general consensus, it was well misplaced hesitation. Unlike their last movie endeavour,
Advent Children provided fans with everything that was lacking in it. A fantasy setting, weapons, monsters, magic, abilities ... and to top it all off ... it was based on one of the most loved Final Fantasy games.
When reviewing this film, people need to remember the first fact in my beginning paragraph. This is fan service, so those who have not played Final Fantasy VII will gain little out of it, and more importantly, this is not a FFVII sequel film, it is a Cloud sequel film. It started off life as just his focus, and it maintained this stance. If everyone goes in with those two key facts in mind, then this film is going to blow them away.
First of all, the CGI is completely gorgeous. There is no other word for it. From the facial expressions, to movements, to speach, it is poetry in motion to watch. Not only that, but the fight scenes are fluid and smooth, and accompanied by some familiar FFVII music, it brings a smile to every fan's faces.
There was never meant to be a new and engaging plot, as the plot itself is a homage to the game. We have Sephiroth's will coming into play once more as he manipulates and co-ordinates his ressurection with his remnants. Though there has been some criticism that there was not much character development, I beg to differ. In FF, it's always the little things that reveal a lot, and we got much of that.
We learn that Cloud and Tifa were a 'family', caring for some orphans, but with the Geostigma hitting, Cloud's guilt about Aeris resurfaces. This film is about his journey to come to turns with his guilt and seek her forgiveness. Just like in the game. We also learn that he had a delivery service. That's character development. We then have Tifa, who once more - just like in the game, tries to pull Cloud together and see sense. She just wants Cloud and her to be a family. That's character development. We learn that Vincent has never tried forgiveness of sins, and that he doesn't own a mobile phone. That's character development. We learn that Barret has found an oil field. Not only is this character development for him, but for the entire society of the FFVII world!
It's little gems like that which make the movie. Along with a lot of fantastic speeches, it pulls fans of the actual game in. It's more of a rememberance than anything, but it is executed excellently. The english voices all seem to hold together well, and are easy to get used to.
All in all, this is an awesome fan film, and the best ever created. The final scenes along are worth it all.
I give Advent Children an
9 out of 10.