Fortunately, the Blu-ray includes as bonus features a nearly 24-minute digest of what took place in the original game and an almost 30-minute synopsis of what took place in Final Fantasy VII Compilation, which is the name given to the spin-off titles in the same world. If one dares to venture into Advent Children Complete with a desire to understand what is taking place in the film they need the requisite information contained in these synopses. Also included on the Blu-ray is "On the Way to a Smile – Episode: Denzel" which gives background information on another of the characters in the movie, and while not essential viewing, it does help one understand Denzel's point of view in the film.
It is not wrong to necessarily expect an audience member to have some sort of background knowledge when sitting down to watch a film or television show but unfortunately, the amount of knowledge required here is just too great for something that is, after all, the first film. What the creators of this movie have ended up with is a truly dazzling and dizzying world both in terms of the visuals and the story — the visuals for how amazing they truly are, and the story for how perplexing and indecipherable it is.
The Blu-ray release also features various Advent Children trailers and a trailer for the upcoming game Final Fantasy XIII. Anyone who has ever ventured into an RPG game will be impressed by what they see there.
Big fans of Final Fantasy VII and its various spin-offs will undoubtedly love Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete and all the extra bonus goodies it has to offer in its expanded format. Everyone else will undoubtedly be impressed by the animation and left dumbfounded at the absurdity of the tale. Essentially, it's just a non-interactive video game, and viewed in that context perhaps it does deliver. Those looking for a movie, though, will not be impressed.
Article comments
1 - Kyle
On the Way to a Smile Episode: DENZEL. Not DANIEL. I wish someone who knew of this universe better had reviewed it. Thanks.
2 - Josh Lasser
Correction noted.
3 - Josh Lasser
Of course, the point being made in the review is exactly the one you make in your comment - it's all incomprehensible to people not completely immersed in the culture of the game and it's follow-ups. I played the game when it was first released, but haven't thought of it since. Consequently, the movie was nearly impossible to figure out.
4 - Shane Coy
Of course someone who has never played the original FF7 isn't going to be able to understand this movie. This movie is the story of FF7 CONTINUED that picks up 2 years later after the end of FF7. So don't give this great movie a bad rating just because you don't have the common sense to realize that this isn't a whole new different movie or story, it's a continuation of FF7's story.
5 - Shane Coy
PS- You should know your shit and all the details on a movie that belongs to a series before you review it
6 - jake
This review is awful...this movie is a continuation of the FFVII game, that (litterally) millions of people played. It is heralded as one of the greatest games ever made, and brought tons of people in to the world of RPG's. To one of those millions that enjoyed the game, and subsequetly this movie, your review comes across as woefully ignorant.
7 - Jacen
This is like a caveman reviewing TV. It just doesnt make sense. The story was very well done, it followed through and made a complete continuation (
8 - Derek
[Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor] You start off watching what is basically known as final fantasy VII part 2 and you bitch because you don't know what the hell is going on even though you don't know the story line of the first part? [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor] That's like watching the last movie of Star Wars and complaining because you don't know what was going on. [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor]
9 - Josh Lasser
Actually, as you'll see if you read the comments, I did play the original game, and I still didn't know what was happening.
10 - Joe
I have to admit, even I havent played the first Final Fantasy for years, and plan on playing it again on the PSN now that it is out. But despite that, Advent Children complete was a remarkable movie and a beautiful storyline, but lets also remember that the movie was made only for the fans and all the fans loved it. Im not saying that you are not a fan of it, but I dont believe you fully understood the first game well enough to give a review to its sequal. No disrespect but next time if you do a review get all your facts straight before you do it, other wise keep it to yourself.
11 - laura
take your review off. It stinks
12 - Anthony
I think this review is correct in terms of the movie looking great, but being impossible to understand if you never played the game. But one has to take into consideration that the main reason why they made the movie was to continue and end the story of the original game. Also the fact that it is a CGI made movie makes it very hard for people that don't know the series to pick up since not many adults are big on CGI. So i don't really see the point of a review for the people that didn't play the game because unless the movie inspired them to figure out the whole story, they are just going to go Ohh and ahh at the CGI and pay the majority of their attention to the fights. Also they themselves would say the movie was bad or they didn't know what was going on. All in all there should just be a review aimed at people who know the story line and the movie itself should have a disclaimer saying "it is highly suggested you play the game Final Fantasy 7 before viewing this movie as it is a continuation of said game and will leave you rather confused if viewed without solid understanding of the Main story". It's sad to have a movie with the requirement of having to know something that happened in a game made in 1997 but then again no one should be dumb enough to buy a movie where on the back of the box it clearly states that it is a continuation of a game made 12 years ago without thinking hmmmmm I never heard of the game but what the hell I'll go for it. As for your review it should have been this. Its a Great movie that nicely ends the final fantasy 7 franchise story as well as being beautifully animated as well as great music from Nobuo Uematsu although it is recommended that you do not buy this movie unless you are going watch it after completing the game Final Fantasy 7 or you have prior knowledge of the main storyline. That's all it's short sweet and tells the curios movie buyer to save their money on something if they do not plan on playing a 12 year old ps1 game or if they are over the age of lets say 30 considering a person at that age they probably didn't play FF7 because they were already 18 and most likely past their age of video games. Also either way you look at it no matter what the only people that are most likely going to buy the movie are people that beat and know the full story of final fantasy 7 considering the only people that buy final fantasy 7 anything are people that are fan boys/girls. I am not one of those. I will not sell my soul for a plushie of Cloud or Tifa. But i will defend something that i believe is treated unjustly.
13 - Hos
This film is for hardcore fans of the game ONLY! Theres no point in trying to explain the back story to newcomers because the game is immense.
14 - Stevos Gloriosus
Be fair Anthony, games aren't restricted to teenagers any more. There's no cut off date at which stage someone is no longer going to play as you suggest. Loads of "adults" are fully aware of CGI and loads of over 30's who grew up playing Space Invaders and the like still play these games - you only have to look at the number of PC games in any games store to realise the market for adult gamers is massive.