Final Fantasy 7 was adored by the masses when it was released on PlayStation in 1997, and to this day there’s still theories posted on internet message boards that are attempting to explain the complex storyline, each so different from the last. The world wanted a sequel, and the world is still waiting for their sequel as Advent Children turned out to be not the game that all were eager for, but a lavish movie instead.
It’s hard to not find any contentment with this follow on to the undying classic that is the seventh instalment of Square’s massive Final Fantasy series. Ok, perhaps we would have preferred a gaming sequel, but Advent Children is such a glorious picture that any complaints are soon laid to rest.
Cloud Strife, the blonde spiky haired hero from the legendary game makes his triumphant return, although despite saving the world from the black hearted Sephiroth this heroes life isn’t exactly a laugh a minute. It’s now two years since the silver haired bad guy succumbed to the Omnislash, and Cloud is now living in peaceful solitude and probably drowning his sorrows in whisky (although the film sadly doesn‘t answer our drunkard theory). Cloud’s first appearance is followed by plenty of action, so it’s not too long before the retired hero is brandishing a sword once again.
Fans will be pleased to find a huge cast of returning characters, although characters that were presumed dead on FF7 and that return here, might be a little difficult to swallow for some, especially as a number of these apparent deaths were seemingly impossible to escape from. The film also seems to forcefully crowbar major characters into the storyline, and the lack of screen time for some of these famous Final Fantasy faces is just criminal. Then there’s characters acting way out of personality, such as Cid and Barret, who cursed like troopers on the game and don‘t say a word out of line here, whilst Reno and Rude have been reinvented as silly comedy characters.
It’s perfect fan service for Final Fantasy fans in more ways than its characters, the victory music mobile phone ring tone is a neat touch for example, and it’s one of those things that tells you that Square were always thinking of the fans. Materia, music and locations from FF7 are also present, although if we do have to mention some complaints, just where are the birdlike Chocobos and the catlike mogs?
The plot is great and explores a few avenues such as Cloud‘s guilt over Aeris‘s death, a mysterious disease, and the resurrection of an old enemy, although it does sadly take a rather unflattering backseat to the action. This is disappointing, but as the action is always such a visual thrill we found ourselves falling in love with the beauty before us. There’s amazing action scenes featuring motorbikes, a famous summon, and aerial acrobatics. In fact the characters can’t seem to stay on the ground for very long atall, with fights always ending up with combatants duking it out in the air.
The latter brings us nicely onto the visual mastery that makes Advent Children one of those beautiful things in life that rewards your retinas. This is computer graphics at their finest, and as a result characters are amazingly detailed and drip from head to toe with realism, animations are wonderful and the whole picture package is a rollercoaster ride of pure eye candy. It’s hard to put into words how good this looks in its entirety, and as games fans we hope it heralds the future of gaming visuals. As for the sound, the American voice acting is decent enough if a little contrived (there is the option to choose Japanese if your prefer), whilst Nobuo Uetsmu’s aurally beautiful musical score accompanies each scene as brilliant as anything he has contributed to the games.
Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children isn‘t the sequel that many have hoped for, but upon seeing it for ourselves it made us glad that Square did make another movie, and it’s a movie, which walks all over Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Square‘s other cinematic effort). If it hadn’t had as much reliance on action and a little more substance, this would have been nearing perfection, but the end result is still a visual spectacular and easily the greatest game movie of all time.
