Video game movies are certainly not known for their high quality. Past entries like "Super Mario Bros." and "Street Fighter" certainly didn't go over well with fans of the games — nor were they enjoyable films in general. With the impending release of "Doom," it appears things are not very likely to change.
The one shining beacon amid the wasteland of video game movies comes from one of today's most prized development houses. Fans are rabid to see the film that continues the adventures of Cloud Strife, a name many RPG players are familiar with. After watching a Japanese import, Nerd Alert takes a look at "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children."
Sundeep: If you like nothing else about this movie, you will surely appreciate its desire to please the eye. So far, "Advent Children" far outpaces other CGI-works like "Shrek" and "Finding Nemo." Everything, from the post-apocalyptic Midgar to Cloud's glossy black Fenrir motorcycle is meticulously created. It is this ability to create (or recreate) the world, which director Tetsuya Nomura was most effectively able to utilize.
In addition, things that may have not been so clear in the original "Final Fantasy VII" game have been made stunningly understandable. Players may have wondered in the past how Cloud Strife's hair could possibly be worn practically or how he carried a sword inconceivably larger than himself — wonder no more, everything makes perfect sense.
In the "Advent Children" world, designers formally bend any sense of gravity just as in past martial arts flicks like "The Matrix" or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Many will leave their first viewing of "Advent Children" in much the same way they may have left "The Matrix," wishing certain elements of the movie were in fact real.
If we're talking about action, you won't find a better movie anywhere. This lucky note has more to do with the fact that "Advent Children" is a CGI movie: camera-work can be done from any angle, all the "stunts" are flawless and weapons act in both realistic and nonrealistic ways.
Ryan: While I was thoroughly amused by "Advent Children" and its incredible fight sequences, I can't agree with my cohort that it surpasses any other movie out there. My main problem arises from the pacing and camera-work that Sundeep praises, as it left me feeling somewhat disoriented for the bulk of these scenes. I certainly can't argue that watching Cloud battle various baddies in such gorgeously rendered CGI isn't entertaining and awe-inspiring. But the fact was that I constantly wondered what exactly was going on and where characters were for most of the movie.
One particular fight (I won't spoil it for you) showcases Cloud facing off with a foe as they jump between crumbling buildings and other debris. I'm fully in support of disobeying laws of gravity, but "Advent Children" really takes it to the extreme.
The visuals are where the film soars, as Sundeep earlier noted. One scene in particular stands out as simply amazing, by doing little more than showing a lone wolf's fur gently being tussled around by a breeze. It's shocking that something as simple as a wolf's fur moving in the wind could be so awe-inspiring, but it was one of the more visually impressive things I've seen in quite some time.
Sundeep: Where viewers will divide is over the general impact of the story. Major game-players and Square-Enix-addicts, like Ryan and myself, were immediately involved with the storyline and characters. In segments of the movie when Cloud has visions of Aeris or when Cloud and Co. team up on a very large Bahamut, fans are more readily involved. It is difficult to say whether those who have not been involved in Square's longtime Final Fantasy saga will be so involved. It is certainly possible this movie may just dive-bomb like Square's earlier attempt "Final Fantasy: Spirits Within." Still, "Advent Children" is by far the greatest video-game movie ever created. Then again, competition in the video-game-to-movie genre has been lacking — "Mortal Kombat," "Tomb Raider," "Resident Evil," "Resident Evil 2," "Double Dragon" … need I go on?
Ryan: After watching "Advent Children" I found myself wondering if Square-Enix would keep going to its proverbial "FFVII" well. It's already known that the company plans to release "Dirge of Cerberus", featuring Vincent, everyone's favorite Shinra experiment. This "Devil May Cry"-esque action game is set to take place after the events of "Advent Children," giving gamers an opportunity to further explore aspects of "Final Fantasy VII" without just being a re-hash.
The problem therein is that hardcore fans of the series would like nothing more than a re-make of their beloved game. The consumer desire, coupled with the impressive showcase of the "Final Fantasy VII Tech Demo" at E3 points toward Square-Enix maybe eventually answering fans' demands. Though the company has said many times a re-make of the title is not in the works, recent events make it seem more likely every day.
Ryan ([email protected]) and Sundeep ([email protected]) are hopelessly addicted to video games. Sundeep is about to begin playing "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes" and "Viewtiful Joe 2" [status on his Night Elf Hunter: level 24]. Ryan has been alternating between "Madden 2006" and "Ultimate Spider-Man."
