Home :: DVD :: Animation  

Anime & Manga
Comedy
Computer Animation
General
International
Kids & Family
Science Fiction
Stop-Motion & Clay Animation
Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within (Special Edition)

Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within (Special Edition)

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 .. 66 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow...
Review: This had to be one of the best films I have seen during the summer blockbuster deal-out. One of the main aspects of this movie that I liked was the computer animation. The animation was amazing. It looked so... so... I don't know. It was perfect. The story was my real favorite thing about a movie. This movie is one of those where you walk out of the theatre and you just stop and think about what you just saw. This is a good thing. I never felt like that since A.I. (Another really good film from the summer film-a-thon.) The voice actors they picked for the characters were really good choices. The only thing that creeps me out about this movie (other than those phantoms) is the fact that if we can make human characters look like this now, we won't need human ones in the future. However, the director of this film said in an interview basically said, we can make the bodies okay. But the actors are the people who bring life to these characters. Without the actors, there is no soul in the character.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: its not just one, but one of a series
Review: ..... There is more than 22 Final Fantasy games in the series, most are just now or have not been released in the US. Square has made a couple stinkers, yes, but most have been super. From the 15 minute ending in FF2(US) to the stunning scene of Nanaki returning to Midgar with his young, to Squall and Reiona sitting on the Ragnorok with Eyes on you playing in the background, every script has been different except for a few key Characters. CID, Wedge and Biggs. There is always three characters named that..even if they are minor ones. The score was fabulous and after waiting years for its release I was only disapionted that it ended so soon. It could have been a Braveheart or Titanic time-length movie and not lose any of its luster. I can't wait till they finish the next one!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A movie that would make or break Square...
Review: There have been many mixed reviews about this movie. A lot of people were complaining since it had a Final Fantasy VII-ish storyline, but I truly believe that this film should receive more respect than what I've been reading.

Of course, I'm not expecting everybody to like the movie, there were some points in it I found that makes it understandable for people to dislike it. I personally found the film enjoyable, and it wasn't the fact about the great computer animation...

Well, that would be a lie. Part of the film that makes it great is the extra effort to make the characters look life-like. The animators really went on overkill to make it work, because the high details of the face, including the eyes, the pores, the hair, it's a wonder how they completed this in only a few short years.

The plot needed a little bit of fine tuning from what I could see, but all of the plot elements made complete sense, and that's what makes the film enjoyable, if you understand what's going on.

This film is not for everybody, as the film gets a little intense at times. However, I do recommend renting it if you're not sure whether to just go ahead and buy it, or watch it first.

You may not be, but I was pleased with this film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Ok, I don't have te DVD yet, but I want it dearly. To start with, the movie has astounding graphics, they are almost real, sometimes I forgot it wasn't real. Many people complained it wan't on par with the Final Fantasy games, they need to get it into their heads that this isn't a Final Fantasy game, it's a movie, much shorter, for one. The plot is very dfferent, compared to the many movies I have seen, but it is amazing. In conclusion, see the movie, and don't worry about what everyone else says.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Philistines...
Review: While I understand that there are many people in this world who are confused and often frightened by new things, I would suggest that we stop listening to these people as soon as possible, lest we be dragged in as well.
The simple fact is that this is not an American movie, and I believe that American audiences, at least those not closely acquainted with Japanese culture and mythology, do not understand that there is a difference in the styles of storytelling native to each of our cultures. The standard American reaction (whether that of a "legitimate" critic or an average moviegoer) to the films of, say, Akira Kurosawa, is one of grudging acceptance, with the oft-used tagline: "but I didn't quite get the story." While there is certainly something to be said about increasing globalization and the melding of cultures, it remains a fact that a story written by a native Japanese writer may not necessarily affect a someone from Des Moines, Iowa, as it would one from Kyoto.
I think the terse writeoff of the storyline by many critics is unfortunate, but in the end, will be to their detriment. After all, other groundbreaking movies have received similar treatment: Disney's "Fantasia" and Welles's "Othello" come to mind.
In conclusion, there is no basis for the derogatory statements made about storytelling: while it is generally less comforting for a viewer to place the blame on himself for not being able to comprehend and apply the storyline to his mentality, it is often far more truthful.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An incredible visual portfolio
Review: Every once in a while, something boils up from the depths of Digital Filmdom that requires a second look, especially when the artists involved in making it spent years fashioning characters and gadgetry that promised outright realism. The work is amazing and groundbreaking, though the story is not. In fact, the story dies because it does not go far enough. When dealing with the metaphysical, few seem to truly grasp the quirky potential of marrying science and religion, and end up trivializing it for the masses, (something Hollywood seems to love doing). What a golden opportunity was missed with this one--you had scientists with strong mystical beliefs trying to save the world--and the story retreats to delivering cliches. Perhaps the error was initially made in trying for a mainstream AMERICAN market, when it could have relied more on the exoticism of the Japanese culture. This makes it quite in-authentic, especially if you consider the director's cosmology as implied by his body of work in the video game arena. Well, at least FF made for some great phantoms, cool effects, and lots of great artwork, (and some bloopers) which the DVD seems to have collected. If you saw the film and loved the visuals, or collect this Genre, this is one you cant miss. If you did not see the flick and want a great film for your shelf, rent it first. FF may have been a dud in some ways, but it has a certain artistic audacity.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Terrific
Review: One of the best sci-fi films ever. Just watching the animation is a wonder to behold. But it extends far above just looking nice. A great story line that never falls back on simple 'good guy vs. bad guy' setup. A wonderful balance of romance, drama, action and suspense. A must for everyone.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Why Square? Why did you have to be so stupid.
Review: Okay this is one of the most amazing looking movies I have ever seen. It's worth watching just to watch the CG. The story is mush. And that's very surprising considering Square's penchant for spectacular stories. I will say this once. IF SQUARE USED THE CHARACTERS AND PLOT OF FINAL FANTASY 7, THEY WOULD HAVE MADE ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME. RANKING RIGHT UP THERE WITH CITIZEN KANE, THE GODFATHER, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, AND SCHINDLER'S LIST. As it stands though, it is merely an alright movie with breathtaking visuals.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A special effects masterpiece
Review: Being somewhat of a fan of the Final Fantasy series, I came into this expecting a film with an intricate plot filled with great special effects and interesting characters. I don't want to say that I was disappointed in the film, but I was surprised by its depth. Compared to the depth of the Final Fantasy game series, this would be a pool for eight-year-olds. Needless to say, fans of the game will probably not get what they're expecting. What can you really expect out of movies these days though? Look at the incredibly popular remake of You've Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. That isn't exactly the kind of movie a genius would find interesting. On the other hand, there are movies like Memento where the plot and presentation are like nothing I've seen before. To be honest, I was expecting that from Final Fantasy and didn't get it.

Story wise, Final Fantasy The Spirits Within is in the middle of the spectrum, smart but not deep. The special effects really enchance it, though. The whole story just works better with the computer generated characters. Although the story, is no award-winner, it makes watching it for the special effects even better. Renting this first is a good idea because not everyone will fall in love with it, but for the open-minded viewer this can really be an amazing experience.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Amazing
Review: The digital animation is this science fiction adventure film is simply amazing. The characters seems eeriely real and the enviroments are stunningly realized. The story is surprisingly spiritual for an action picture. I saw in the theater and if the DVD contains plenty of extras it should be worth buying


<< 1 .. 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 .. 66 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates