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Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2 Disc Set) [2001]


RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £1.48 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Inspired by the popular video game franchise, Hironobu Sakaguchi's Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a completely computer-generated film which, unlike Toy Story and Shrek, is also a serious science fiction drama with astonishingly human digital actors. Aki, the female lead, appeared in a full-page spread in Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list--and was indistinguishable from the real-life models. The setting and conflict make for incredible action, but it's the larger issues, character interaction and human elements that really make the movie shine. The Spirits Within is not simply a science fiction movie, in the same way that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not simply a kung-fu flick. The result is a fantastic summer movie with better action and more emotion than Pearl Harbor and actors more lifelike than those in that other video game movie, Tomb Raider.--Mike Fehlauer, Amazon.com

On the DVD: disc one includes an interesting, if a little flat, director’s commentary. Better is the isolated score with a superb and fascinating commentary from composer Elliot Goldenthal. Other options allow you to access more information about the film. The menus are clear and feature full CGI effects and specially created sequences. Disc two is where you will find the real meat, with literally hours of documentaries and technical promos to plough through covering every aspect of the filmmaking process, along with music videos and an alternative opening sequence. You can re-edit a short sequence from the film and there’s also a wealth of DVD-ROM material offering the complete screenplay and an interesting tour of Square Pictures, makers of the film. Features like the FHM-style photo shoot of CGI heroine Aki give an indication of the target audience for this movie. Add all this extra material to the superb picture quality--which almost leaves you convinced that you are watching a live action movie--and crystal sharp sound and you have one of the most technically impressive discs to hit the market so far. Any DVD buff will need this just to prove that the format is a worthwhile investment.--Jon Weir


Excellent - just don't expect continuity with any of the Fanal Fantasy RPGs
Review date: 2007-10-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

I think this film is wonderful. The CG animation is amazing - there are moments, particularly the character close-ups, where you can't quite be sure whether you're watchig real actors. This film bombed big time at the cinema, and one of the reasons suggested was actually the fact that the characters were so life-like they were almost creepy. Another reason is perhaps the fact that this is a stand alone piece of work and has no relationship with any of the Final Fantasy RPGs, which probably infuriated the fan boys. However, the story is mature and deals with mature issues - namely friendship, love, death and the afterlife, the individuals part in the big picture etc etc, but it's also a fully fledged action film with some pretty amazing set pieces and really exciting moments. It's refreshing to see a grown-up CG film where the story is paramount and there are no smart-ass animals, silly/crude jokes and dependence upon talentless 'stars of the moment' to pull in the punters. I would be more inclinded to purchase the special addition as it has a bunch of extras that are worth seeing for the few extra quid.

Highly recommended, and probably not what you would be expecting (that is a good thing.)

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Reviews


Spectacular
Review date: 2007-07-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

First of all, this film isnt related to any final fantasy, its simply a story from the producer of final fantasy created after FFIX.
With a plot as stunning as the visuals, this film keeps the storyline genius of the final fantasy series, with famous voice actors such as alec baldwin and james woods.
The music is as always a perfect score, even though it isnt from the normal composer (Nobuo Uematsu).

It was made because the producer wanted to tell a story in a different way, but if this were a game it would be beautiful, but the graphic's would have suffered. It may take a couple of minutes to get into it but you'll get hooked after some sensational scenes in which the main character Doctor Aki Ross emerges in a dream on a foreign planet in the middle of a huge battle.

If you like the FF game series, you should like this, if you don't, the graphics will surely tempt you.

Final Fantastic!
Review date: 2007-07-06 Rating: 8 out of 10

As soon as I started watching this film, the first thing to hit me was the quality of the animation and the graphics behind it.

It is so slick and detailed, the textures of the backgrounds are realistic that they look photographic. You do also notice that some of the human movements are CGI rather than real - but your eye adjusts to what it is seeing and you find yourself happily accepting everything.

The visuals alone would give this a few stars, the plot helps this film develop into something a bit special, but I felt the end let it down slightly.

It's been commented on that the film seems to have been influenced by Alien - and that's not a bad thing, it feels dark, you often feel on edge. I 'm not too sure whether I should find a CGI animated sprite quite so attractive though ...maybe I need to watch some more live action films!

The characterisations were done believably, there was a lot of humour, the politics and plot were complex enough to ensure the film was not boring.

I really enjoyed this, sometimes the characters seemed a little cold, and as I said before, the ending didn't impress me as much as I thought it would. But having seen the film - it's one I think as a worthy member of any sci-fi fan's DVD collection!


A work of sheer genius
Review date: 2007-07-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is absolutley stunning!

The cgi in this film is the best i have seen! There are moments in the film where you could almost beleive you were watching a live action film and not animation.

There is a good storyline to the film as you would expect from something bearing the final fantasy branding. the voice acting is brilliant with some big names doing voices in the film (James woods and Steve Buschemi to name just 2 of them).

The animation is phenomenal and the way that Aki's hair moves when she moves her head is very realistic as are the facial expressions of all the characters. One testiment to how realistic these characters are is that Aki appeared in an American magazines top 100 sexy women list and a lot of people never realised she was computer generated!


Final Fantasy: just without the fantasy
Review date: 2007-02-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

ok ok this film is not a scratch on FF7: Advent Children but is a bloody fantastic film, the graphics are amazing and the story line aint half bad either, perhaps the characters aren't as enjoyable to watch/play than in other FF titles but overall a great film.
One thing that does annoy me is all the people who say its a crap film just because it doesnt have chocobos or materia or magic in general are wrong. It isnt at all like the FF games but that doesnt stop it being a good film
Maybe not FF as we know it but im not complaining

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ving Rhames
Ming-Na
Alec Baldwin

Creators:
Ming-Na (Primary Contributor)
Ving Rhames (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822197138
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-01-21
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001-07-11
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)

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