Rating: 
Summary: Impressive! Fabulous production.
Review: It's hard to overstate how much I enjoyed this movie. I marveled at the production, and kept commenting to my wife throughout the movie how amazingly realistic the animation was. The entire movie, as nearly as I could tell, was computer generated, but there are occasions when you will swear you're looking at live actors. "Heavy Metal" meets the microchip.The plot centers around a futuristic New York City which, along with the rest of the world, has been devastated by ghostly alien invaders who literally devour the spirits of any living creature they touch. This feature makes for some very disturbing scenes as various characters meet their respective demises. The protagonist is an attractive scientist whose mission is to find and gather eight living spirits from around the world to complete an energy wave to destroy the invaders. She spends most of the movie teamed with a buff commando captain (voiced by Alec Baldwin), who provides cover fire as she goes about her task. Needless to say, some romantic energy develops over the course of the story, but you would expect no less. Meanwhile, the "bad guys" include not only the very dangerous space critters, but also a maniacal general who wants to prove that his big guns are more than a match for the aliens, and he's willing to risk everything to make his point. Overall, I thought the story line was engaging if a little predictable. There were a number of wonderfully suspenseful scenes, and several great depictions of valor and self sacrifice. Again, though, the most gripping aspect of this movie is its stunning visual appearance. Extremely well done and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Final Fantasy very underrated...
Review: I know the film was not a box office blockbuster, and it's too bad. Aside from the incredible effects and huge task of making computer actors into believeable characters, the movie has a real touching center at the heart of it's story. It has great acting and it takes its time with spiritual issues and themes, ideas other movies of this type would have left on the cutting room floor. Yes, there are a few flaws, it gets a little long in the middle and the character animation takes a little time to warm up to, but the dramatic depth is a high bar for films of this type. For example, when the two leads get "stuck" in that big machine conveyer moving upward and begin to share their feelings, it's really dramtically well done and surprisingly touching. That emotional center drives the film, right up to the very, very well done non-traditional ending. As expected, the DVD's digital to digital transfer looks awesome, I have not even gotten to the special features yet. The effects are great, the animation style and use of color and transparency are as original as I have ever seen. The disc also allows you to see clearly the detail and emotion and love that went into this project. It's a marvel on many levels. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not FF VII
Review: When I heard that they were making an FF movie I was so excited that I pooped myself. Then I found that it wouldn't be based on FF VII directly, so I pooped myself again, this time out of sorrow. Sure it's brilliant, but knowing that I could be watching the spiky headed, giant sword wielding Cloud star in this movie just destroyed it for me.
Rating:
Summary: 4 and 1 half, more like it. ___sory for misspelling___
Review: Yea, ok u all say it sucks and is nothing about final fantasy the vedio games. True i love the games me myself have ff9,10,10-2 and im about to get more. The movie is preety clear. Although nothing is got to do with the game, look more at the computer, see the detalies, and read u wanabe critices that is a new ff,,,, since it doesnt have much action i gave it 4 stars, but it's still a must see.....DETAILS..... The women faces of a challeng on collecting spirits to save the world.Not that easy plans are being made but not followed, and these plans leave to bad concequences.{{{{dont want to spoil it}}}} as she encounters freinds and foes, but overall the animation is great, as the girl walks, the hair moves according to her movements, in other words everything effects everything, and for all u coachpotatoes,eating bums, look at it again, and look wats good. There are even these moments where u doze off thing its
not computer because of its realness.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed feelings about a real effort
Review: Unfortunately, I've never played the game and was slightly confused about the premise. Upon research on the internet, there's quite a bit of history behind the Final Fantasy series. Therefore, relating the game to the movie is difficult for me to actually grasp, and die-hard fans will probably have a better relationship with it. Still, I'd rather concentrate on the other aspects of the film. First what's been hyped: CGI. Yes, a real great effort. In the commentary of the DVD they said that they were learning new things along the way; you can see the characters go from slightly stiff to more natural actions as the movie progresses. The facial expressions as well as the movement of the mouths for speaking wasn't natural -- but honestly, I have yet to see better in any animation. A really incredible effort. The story: well, I can say it's definitely not a kid's film. It reminds me of Alien without all the gore and more of a spiritual aspect. I have to say though, that I still don't understand the whole concept of the film and feel that I have to watch it again to completely grasp the storyline; it is a bit confusing upon only one viewing. The basic premise, if you don't know a thing about it, is there are these aliens called "phantoms" roaming the earth, killing people by mere touch, therefore causing the earth to undergo great stress as well as evacuation. There are two options to kill these beings: first being the Zeus cannon, which literally blows it away, but is frowned upon by the intelligence group who wants to match it's "wave frequency" instead. The Zeus cannon would probably destroy the spirit of the earth causing more harm than good. You have the group that is peaceful and bases their options on theories (the good guys) and you have the bad group who is a bitter general who wants to merely go in and blow anything away. The climax is excellent, but I have to say the ending was a tremendous let down. I wanted to see more of what happened when it did (but obviously can't tell you because I'd spoil it for ya.) It is a fairly dark film with plenty of action, aggressive scenes and really cool characters. Although I'm afraid that not once did I forget the characters were not CGI, rather I was amazed at how fluid their actions were, but sometimes not. Sci-fi fans will probably be thrilled as well as Final Fantasy fans, but people first exposed to this series (media-wise) might be confused and not get the point. I think I'll have to watch it again to really get it, but also, I'm the more optimistic reviewer; some people may not have that patience. Nice eye candy, but the story is so detailed for die-hard fans, it may go over other people's heads.
Rating:
Summary: TONS of eye candy and a decent sci-fi story
Review: I just watched the film and was fairly impressed. I have never played the Final Fantasy games and therefore, I don't know much about the series. However, I think you should watch this movie without any expectations and just enjoy it for what it is. It is BEAUTIFULLY animated and the story, which won't be winning any awards, is nonetheless decent. The voice acting was often monotonous, the script could have been better, and the story unoriginal, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the film. The computer animation is utterly astounding although not perfect. As wind blows, you can see every individual strand of hair move on Dr. Aki Ross' head. Body motions were fluid and natural. The characters' facial expressions were very limited though. This coupled with the poor voice acting made many of the characters' emotional responses emotionless. Nonetheless, the animation in this movie far surpasses that of any computer animated film to date. The breathtaking imagery more than compensates for all of the film's caveats.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE
Review: I know people are made that the movie had nothing to do with the games. Everyone please remember that the games are all different in many ways. The movie for example is a completely new world, new characters, and theme. And you really care about the story and what happens to the characters. That is what makes a Final Fantasy. Not Cloud or Squall swinging swords everywhere. People have just forgotten what makes the Final Fantasy series so great and that the storys.
Rating: 
Summary: An underrate gem and soon-to-be seminal classic
Review: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a visual masterpiece. The story is told heavily through imagery and very little by dialogue. Along with 2001: A Space Odyssey and Days of Heaven, it is visual storytelling at its best. The story is rich, and those who choose to peel it off layer by layer, will reach the core, the Gaia, of the movie. On its surface, it is merely a sci-fi, action flick: a story about a team of soldiers who have to prevent a deadly invasion of aliens. Peeling off this layer, it becomes a subtle story about love and friendship. In the next layer, it can be seen as a reflection on peace and violence. And in the kernel, the story is ultimately about life and death. Not since Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal has a movie stared at death like Final Fantasy. It invites the viewer to contemplate about death: How does one deal with the death of a loved one? What happens after death? Is it the end? The movie is a hybrid of the Eastern and Western worlds. The crew mainly consisted of Americans and Japanese whose sensibilites are seen in the product. The characters have an American look with the supressed emotions and facial expressions of the Japanese. The futuristic settings are similar to those seen in movies such as Blade Runner and Aliens, but they are combined with the nature and spirituality elements that the Japanese seem to endear. The camera work resembles the late 70's American cinematography, yet contains the composition of Anime. The score utilizes instruments and styles from both places. And the story contains the philosophies of these two cultures. However, it presents a world in which every living thing can coexist, one where, utlimately, we are all one and the same. In reality, can't we all coexist despite our differences? We derived from the Big Bang according to science, could it be that everyone is still part of a whole, and how each of us lives our life affects one another in the end? "Free the dream within
The stars are crying
A tear... a sigh
Escapes from Heaven
...And worlds end. Breathe the dream within
The mystifying
...We tremble and spin
Suspended within... Look beyond
Where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust love... believe
...We tremble and spin
Suspended within... Free the dream within
The voices calling
A song... a prayer
From deep inside you
...To guide you. Be the dream within
The light is shining
A flame on the wind
Salvation begins... Look beyond
Where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust love... believe
...We tremble and spin
Suspended within... Free the dream within
The stars are crying
A tear... a sigh
Escapes from Heaven
...And worlds end." --"The Dream Within," Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Rating: 
Summary: I see dead planets...
Review: This film is an immeasurably stunning technical achievement. Unfortunately, it's sense of story cannot be salvaged no matter how many hair follicles can individually be seen blowing in the wind. So, most people stayed away. If you can't stay away any longer, here are some thoughts... FINAL FANTASY is somehow based on a video game series, but the film carries more exposition and character thrust then any game structured around combat and spell casting. But, that might have helped! The storyline follows a beautiful scientist in search of spirits that will help provide a cure. That antidote can save the planet Earth from the phantoms that indiscriminately truncate the human race. But, a bad guy earthling gets his ego caught in the door and his actions expedite the planets potential destruction... Don't worry if you can't follow it, this film is about the computer generated reality and can excite you with its possibilities. What will soon be accomplished using computer-generated filmmaking if this is what today's film can look like... The DVD has a great video transfer, allowing for the heroines skin imperfections to be visible in close-up and the musical score by Elliot Goldenthal is well transferred. The disc also offers audio commentaries that I could not get through.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad flick
Review: It's very hard to exactly rate Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Loosely based on the popular videogame franchise of its namesake, the movie seems to be somewhere between a videogame cutscene (a scene in which no actual playing takes place, but instead pure plot development or uncontrolled action) and a philosophical action movie. This isn't bad, per se, but can often become tiring. The story, revolving around the utilization of bio-energy, or spirits, from living creatures in order to neutralize a mysetrious alien threat is intruiging. However, the script is often too verbose, and even at times hokey, telling the audience about the spirits instead of showing it. Thus, the characters often give speeches that, while familiar to videogame players (many game stories are noted for their lengthy talks between characters), may turn off casual viewers somewhat. Along with the mediocrity of the script (a shame, considering how deep the story really wants to be), the voice acting is often a mixed bag. Alec Baldwin and Ming-Na were good in their roles, but nothing impressive. Ving-Rhames doesn't play his character with much depth, admitabbly so given his lack of dialog; he unfortunately almost comes off as a token black character in the movie instead of a fully developed soldier. However, performances by Steve Buschemi, Donald Sutherland, and James Woods are both good. Each one is able to play the role they are assigned extremely well, making the audience wish they all had more screen time, especially Buschemi, who's comic relief steals the show second to the CG animation, despite its over-the-top nature at times. The CG animation so largely touted by the media is well worth it. Although some of the soldiers in Deep Eyes look somewhat generic, Aki Ross and Dr. Sid are extremely impressive, and hopefully a taste of what's to come soon in 3D animation. The sets are very well done, and look even more realistic than the people do. The monsters, however steal the show. A careful shows dozens of different types of 'phantoms,' the alien menace attacking earth. The artists seemed to let their minds go to their limits when creating the different creatures (the sheer amount of which is explained during the movie.) Overall, Final Fantasy is a good movie worth seeing for sci-fi fans, and people looking for something a little different from the norm. While not the homage to Squaresoft videogames many fans hoped, and not the movie that will make CG replace real-life actors as some people speculated, it is an interesting flick nonetheless.
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