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One thing I recall prior to the release of Final Fantasy was that some were saying that this could be the new wave in films, computer animated actors & actresses that look almost real. Well almost isn’t nearly close enough. I kept thinking through the whole picture what a lousy job they did with the lip syncing as well as trying to imitate facial expressions. So I think the on-screen actors are safe for now (and frankly always will be). Story wise, Final Fantasy is of course based on the long running video game that has had many sequels. Personally I have never played any of the Final Fantasy games, but lots of other people have and so the studios decided to make a film (much like for Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider). Basically according to the story the Earth was invaded by alien phantoms that are very difficult to find and fight. So those who survived the initial devastation (which happens in approximately 50 years from now) have moved into barrier cities that have a special bio-energy field that keeps out the phantoms. Just outside the New York barrier city is where we meet our hero Aki, a scientist, looking for a life form. Soon the army rushes in to save her from some phantoms, which is where we meant most of the other main characters. It is also here that we learn of the conflict between the scientists and the military on how to deal with the phantom problem. The military wants to use all means necessary to kill all the phantoms, while a select group of scientists don’t think the military’s methods will work and instead are trying to develop an energy wave that will get rid of the phantoms (which the scientists eventual theorize are alien ghosts from a destroyed planet). Both are trying to convince the ruling council (never a good idea to rule by committee) to following their course of action. The scientists sort of win and go about collecting the “spirits” from living things all over the globe. They need eight of them to complete the puzzle, and are in a hurry since Aki (Ming-Na) has been infected by one of these phantoms. Old friend and army captain Grey (Alec Baldwin of State & Main) signs on to help, but his commander General Hein (James Woods from True Crime) has other plans. The general wants to use a space based laser to blast the phantoms apart, but first needs to get the council to approve it so he stages a phantom infiltration that naturally ends up going terribly wrong, and New York ends up being overrun and destroyed (of course our hero Aki, Grey and Dr. Sid all escape). So now the Aki, Grey, and the doctor (Donald Sutherland, The Art of War) must race against the general to find the eighth spirit and save the planet. During their escape and in their quest for some of the other ‘spirits” Aki and Grey are assisted by some of Grey’s troops. There is the big strong Ryan (Ving Rhames, Baby Boy), comedian and technical guy Neil (Steve Buscemi, Ghost World), and the woman of the group Jane Proudfoot (Peri Gilpin). The movie was written and directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, with writing help from Jeff Vintar. This is a very interesting story (which I left out quite a few details in my summary) and had great graphics for an animated film. I think all the actors did a fine job, though I think some of Buscemi’s comedy was lost in the animation, unlike in another save the planet film, Armageddon. Story wise, acting wise, and graphics wise I had few problems with the film (though a bit predictable), but that is treating this like an animated film, which is not what the filmmakers were billing this to be. As to the About-Movies.com rating, it gets seven couches, one less than the number of spirits they collect.
Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:49:13 AM Click Here to get back into frames.
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