Two years have passed since Cloud and friends defeated Sephiroth. A mysterious disease called the "Geostigma" is spreading, and a trio of
violent fanatics who claim to be Jenova's sons are hell-bent on finding what's
left of her.
Cloud and company have to join forces once more in order to save the world.
Review: Final Fantasy VII Advent Children
I know. The plot synopsis I wrote above might as well be in an alien language
for one who has absolutely no clue about the Final Fantasy VII video game that
preceded Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
But that's the sad part -- Advent Children was created as a conclusion for
FFVII, thus it can never be fully appreciated by one who has never played the
game.
I played Final Fantasy VII many years ago, when I was still single and living
in my dad's house. I'm now married with two children and so you can just imagine how long ago
that was.
I still know my party members -- Cloud, Tifa, Aeris, Barret, Vincent, Yuffie,
Cid, and Red XII, but the other characters? With the exception of Jenova and
Sephiroth, my mind was a complete blank.
In terms of game events, the only thing I remember vividly is Aeris' death.
Since I don't have the time nor inclination to replay FFVII, a chunk of the
film's plot connections with the game was lost on me.
Of course that's probably what the FFVII Digest included in the DVD release is
for, but any gamer will attest that nothing can replace the experience of
actually beating the game before watching the movie.
But that's the beauty of Advent Children. It's so straightforward and
spectacular that one can get blown away purely because of the visuals.
As I've said earlier, two years have passed since Cloud and friends defeated
Sephiroth.
A band of silver-haired and green-eyed Jenova fanatics led by a guy named
Kadaj has emerged. They will do anything to retrieve Jenova's head and whatever materia (gem-like
spheres with powers) they can get their hands on in order to bring about the
"reunion" (a.k.a. the resurrection of Sephiroth).
Cloud returns to Tifa after wandering around by himself, and one by one his
old comrades show up in order to help him stop Kadaj and company. It's a very
simple RPG-esque plot, but it's the journey that makes the movie.
Eye-popping action sequences take up about 80% of screentime. Just about
everyone is given the chance to show off their awesome fighting moves,
weapons, and limit breaks.
I was totally immersed in Advent Children, which is really all about Cloud
finding himself behind the context of saving the world.
Advent Children's art and animation surpass all the Final Fantasy games'
visuals that precede it.
The character designs remain faithful to the game's, only this time the blocky
3D renditions are replaced with very realistic models that could very well
pass for human at a glance.
The texture of the skin, the luminosity of the eyes, and the movement of the
hair... it's all too perfect. You won't be able to take your eyes off them especially when they start to
fight.
The furious yet impossibly smooth action sequences are just too mesmerizing. You can spend the next hour just watching these guys (and gals) take on each
other.
Related Articles: Legend of the Crystals: Final Fantasy Anime Review
The settings and locales such as mountains, forests, and cityscapes are also
as superbly detailed as the characters.
I must admit, I felt a bit cheated after watching Advent Children. My memory of the game is no longer what it was, and I felt I was not able to
get the full effect that was intended by the creators.
It is, however, undeniably a visual feast that's worth treating yourself to
player or not. Just watch it. Go oooh and aaah over it.
After all, this is what a real Final Fantasy film is (not the totally un-Final
Fantasy The Spirits Within).
Miscellanies: Final Fantasy VII Advent Children
I don't remember seeing any Chocobos...
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children | |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 1 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | 14, 2005 |
| Producers | - |
| Studio | Square Enix |
| Rating | PG-13 - Teens 13 or older |
| Themes | Super Power |
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