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Test Screening Review of FINAL FANTASY Movie!

Neat O by DropKickMurphy	Feb 18th, 2001 12:55:56 PM
Where's Elston and Buzz this week?
Sucks! by Theta	Feb 18th, 2001 12:56:39 PM
I knew it!
Oh And By The Way. by DropKickMurphy	Feb 18th, 2001 12:57:16 PM
Being first doesn't feel much different.
FF Movie/ DOOM Movie by el_batmanuel	Feb 18th, 2001 12:59:37 PM
Wow, what a total surprise. I think we all know that the only movie that'd be any good, if adapted from a videogame, would be DOOM. Why hasn't DOOM been made into a movie? Man, I wish someone would just make it already! Anyways, I'm sad about FF the Movie, but then whatcha expect - it's FINAL FANTASY. lol.
Let me explain the previous post... by Theta	Feb 18th, 2001 01:00:42 PM
I was gunning for first, but I missed. Oh well. Anyway, it was obvious to me from the getgo that this was going to be a pretty weak movie. We all know the history of video game movies, and frankly, "photorealistic computer animation" is and always will be an oxymoron, at least when it comes to humans. Episode One was torturous; I mean, come on, could anyone above the age of five NOT tell when they used the computer for a shot? Inanimate objects, hey, they're improving every day, but humans and living creatures they'll never get quite right. A Buddhist SF flick would be HIGHLY interesting. Philip K. Dick has shown you can combine SF and religion with the strong Christian aspect in some of his books. I just don't think this will be it. Of course, we all have to go see it anyway because the Spider Man teaser will be on it. I hate Sony...
Shady Review by Xcalibur13	Feb 18th, 2001 01:01:07 PM
I realize these screenings are done in an effort to gauge responses before a film opens, but it sounds like they waited far too early. Finish the damned thing, THEN conduct a screening. Besides, it's not like they can "re-shoot" an ending etc. I'll be seeing this one regardless of any bad advanced buzz.
I would whorship the Atari 2600-version! :-) by masse	Feb 18th, 2001 01:26:45 PM
I never liked movies based on computer games but I still have my trusty Atari 2600 working with 25 cartridges in mint condition! Thats entertainment!
Lip synching by PorkBelly	Feb 18th, 2001 02:01:57 PM
Is it possible the preview version of the movie wasn't originally in english? If the characters were initially speaking Japanese and then an english audio track was created that would explain the poor lip synching.
Shrek is going to kick some FF butt by Stefka	Feb 18th, 2001 02:02:34 PM
FF looks incredibly depressing. I don't care how pretty it is - I don't want to see it. Shrek, on the other hand, which looks like it has a heart and a lot of humour is probably going to rock. Still, it's too bad FF will suck. I think it will hurt the potential for more CGI films in the future. I think it was a BIG mistake to take the "fantasy" out of Final Fantasy. My 2 cents.
Oh wow... by TheOneCalledBen	Feb 18th, 2001 02:23:13 PM
Oh wow, one bad review from someone at a freakin' rough test screening, and all you 'genius' movie pundits start jumping on the old band wagon about how you all knew from the beginning the movie would 'obviously' suck. As a fan of anime, I gotta say I'm looking forward to this movie. And any fan of Final Fantasy would recognize a lot of FF-centric plot material surfacing (the bio-energy/spirits, the red spirit force and the blue spirit force...all of which routinely appears in FF games). Before all of you so-called experts start jumping all over the movie about how badly it sucks, why don't you actually SEE it in its final version????
CGI by X-Girls	Feb 18th, 2001 02:31:03 PM
Whatever happenned? It seems like ever since the tech proved itself in the Jurassic Park flicks, nothing else has been as good. And yeah, Spielberg and Lucas are overrated, not hacks, and Cameron isn't better than them.
Just like the game by Sith Warrior	Feb 18th, 2001 03:04:24 PM
Yup, it sounds just like the game... CID, Blue and Red stuff....All things which hint towards an average movie at best. They shouldn't have gone for this faux sci-fi/spiritual type of film. FF7 was ok, but FF8 SUCKED! They should get rid of the pretentious 'deep' bs the game has from the film and made it action packed. The games are extremely slow paced, tedious and full of holes and dull characters. What a waste of a golden opportunity, they could have done something special with this animation. The trailer looked pretty dull, even though the animation was impressive. It's going to be Titan AE all over again. Still, I will see this if only to support serious animated film-making.
Gay Bitches by [DC] DarkVictory	Feb 18th, 2001 03:19:31 PM
I agree with TheOneCalledBen. You folks haven't even seen this film yet, but based on one review from an UNFINISHED VERSION you're all gonna start bitching about how this movie never had a chance. Don't you people form your own opinions ever AFTER seeing something for YOURSELF? Shit it's bitches like you that make it possible for gayass MTV and gayass movies like Billie Elliot to stay in business. And that is DAMN true.
Making an animated film by Unbound	Feb 18th, 2001 03:39:15 PM
First let's get one issue clear. CG is a long organic process. Unlike cell animation, animators re-work their shots every couple days, sometimes rendering untextured passes several times a day. This allows the animation to evolve and grow towards the 'perfect' take. Most animation is done in stages, blocking then more physical nuanced performances, rough mouth targets and lyp sync then a more 'performed' version. Character animation is a VERY involved process. Considering the amount of frames to be animated in a film this scale, the test screenings MUST be a comfortable distance from 'finished' animation. As they approach release, every frame starts getting rendered at full film resolution. Keep in mind there is no negative- every frame must renedered, more than likely in a huge number of passes, composited at film rez, and printed for release. If any radical changes are needed to "sell" the film or make the story more clear, they need to determine that fairly early in the game. More than likely very little of this film has been viewed in anywhere near finished animation/lighting/lip sync. As for the 'photo-real' issue- this is an ANIMATED film. If they want photo-real they would have shot people on film. To look at them and try to see them as 'real' is to do yourself an injustice. View the film for what it is, animation. Whether it is good or not should have nothing to do with how 'real' it looks. If story and the characters are working, you won't be sitting there analyzing how natural the fabris renders are.
Whatever... by Enge\|	Feb 18th, 2001 03:48:49 PM
I am really tired of the comments I am reading here. You see, what is the big deal about the comments of some unknown who`s bashing FF based on what? A first test-screening? What`s the big deal? The idea of a test screen is to see what the people liked and what they didn`t. It is because of guys like this cheap reviewer that people jump to conclusion. As for the voiceover, I agree with Pork Belly. Maybe they had it prepared for japenese voices and so, they prepared a fast dubbing in English. And yes, TheOneCalledBen, you are so right. We should burn the ignorant fool for using the term: japanimation. All of you who like to criticize japanese work, sell your playstation and buy yourself a real good american game-console! In conclusion, if Final Fantasy really sucked at the end. You cannot bash the Japanese and Square Soft to try new things: that`s is what we call evolution. That`s much better than the American way of doing stuff: let`s recycle crap and give it for food to the idiots, they`ll buy it anyway!
as for 'metaphysical crap' by Unbound	Feb 18th, 2001 03:57:02 PM
AS for "metaphysical crap' or how lame FF is for trying to be 'deep'. Thank god SOMEONE is, the last thing we need is more brainless, cookie-cutter pieces of crap like Titan A.E. If the sometimes mind-numbingly complex storylines of the Anime tradition offer any value to western audiences- it is the sense that stories and their worlds are too large to be contained in a simple narrative. Instead of neatly packaged, comfortably resolved stories, they often feature unexplained histories, complex eastern historical, political, and spiritual metaphors and other 'metaphysical crap'. This creates a story that really sticks to your mind after you are done watching. Any type of storytelling that forces you to create and think about your own interpretation to 'get', is telling a very good story. The greatest films of SciFi are built on explorations of 'metaphysical crap'. 2001? Star Wars? Blade Runner? Akira? crap my ass...
Like I've said before... by MOSDEF	Feb 18th, 2001 05:04:47 PM
Final Fantasy will flop harder than anything has flopped before...that being said, here's the problem I have...First of all I'm in the traditional Animation business, so maybe I'm biased but with some many possibilities in animation WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU TRY TO MAKE IT PHOTOREALISTIC????? I would have preferred the "CARTOONY" look of Cloud from Final Fantasy. When I want to see a live action movie I'll see one...in an animated movie I want to see things I've never seen in "real" life or could never see. Photorealistic actors is a bad idea also. They look.....creepy. I don't think i could connect with those soulless abominations. It's like the "STEPFORD WIVES" or something. WHY? WHY? WHY? Why waste time trying to make animation look SOOO realistic? Why ape the production design from Aliens and Blade Runner when you can do anything your imagination will allow? Like that one still i saw from Disney's upcoming Treasure Planet (WOW!) It's a friggin cartoon. Thats why I'm excited about ATLANTIS as well...it's art. Oh well, it'll still get my $8.50 on opening weekend.
Anime kicks ass! by otaku	Feb 18th, 2001 06:15:55 PM
Have any of YOU seen the damn movie?! How can you judge a movie from a unfinished version?! I could easily judge all of you as panzies while I don't even know you. Plus, anime is better than most of the crap that they give GOOD reviews of here!
Yes, but are there any Chocobo's? by BV	Feb 18th, 2001 06:53:37 PM
It's just not FF without those loveable ostrich-things! Oh, and I wanna see DooM as a film, too!
May this reviewer be raped by a giant Chocobo.... by XTheCrovvX	Feb 18th, 2001 07:46:33 PM
OK, being one of those (rare?) people that LOVES "metaphysical crap" like Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Mononoke, i have to take a stand against this monkey bastard. Yes, the guy's got a right to his opinion, but dammit, when you have number one, a guy who says they "constantly explain about the Spirits, the auras of the earth, and all the other crap he doesnt care about", then says something IGNORANT like "I dont know why she has to hunt life forces"....maybe if the dude spent time actually listening to them, he'd know.....the animations a valid complaint, but come on...if its an early screening, you gotta learn to look past some stuff....but all in all, you have to remember...this is a predominantly Japanese production...even more weird, a Japanese CGI production, which is extremely odd, considering most of the time, for a story like this, it's in the form of anime...you can't really look at it with the same eye you would give an american production.....if Princess Mononoke was made here in the U.S., hundreds of people would leave theaters scratching their heads, or pissed as hell that Lady Eboshi didn't strip...the Japanese carve stories and ideas out of their own mythology and society, which is, as we all know, far different....and obviously, this reviewer has no clue about any of that crap(and, i worry how many people in the U.S. will have a clue...but i'll save that worry for another TB), which, in my humble opinion, makes him unqualified to be as critical as he tries to be...now, some 27 year old otaku who knows the name and location of every moogle ever created, put two chickens in hopes of breeding a Black Chocobo, named his labrador retriever Kefka and his black and white cat Sephiroth, and has a personal prayer space for the spirit of Aeris, and hands out flyers in Times Square stating that Espers are an endangered species...now THAT'S who's qualified, dammit! Revolution is my name....or is it....i know i feel emotions...am i just a puppet?
this film will rock by Mr_E	Feb 18th, 2001 07:47:40 PM
I don't care what any of these reviewers think this film is still on my must see list. The animation looks awesome from what I have seen so far and the plot sounds true to the spirit of the games. All you people who bash FF need to just sit down and play one of the games before you start ranting that this will suck.
If your gonna be a bitch about certain things, at least be RIGHT by Hooper Y	Feb 18th, 2001 07:58:17 PM
By the way, Manga is the Japanese COMICS. It has nothing to do with animation! Anime is an acceptable term, because though it is an American (or rather French, I think), in Japan it's just known as plain old animation, which would confuse us. Now then, the movie is about eastern philosophy, and that is exactly the point... Why would we want another generic action flick? I think we've seen plenty of those! I'm actually glad to see this review, because it confirms that the movie is styled to the sensibilies of the games, and not for animation/action geeks. It is a film, and just because it is CG doesn't mean it should be some cheap space opera or some sort. By the way, I want all you FFVII junkies to shut the fuck up! Just because it was your first post-mario experience doesn't mean it was the end-all be-all of gaming. FFVI proved 3 years earlier that a steampunk adventure would work as a videogame, not to mention one with superb writing, which FFVII certainly did not possess.
The problem with a "Final Fantasy" movie... by Robert Blake	Feb 18th, 2001 08:24:18 PM
is that there is not a story that goes from game to game. So there is no specific story to be made into a movie without ignoring the rest of the series. ------------------ I was really mad about "FF6" on the SNES. I also liked "FF7" on the Playstation (too bad it was a borrowed Playstation, I didn't have the chance to go very far), but not only its story was not as cool... there's absolutely no connection between the games' stories! ------------------ And this movie seems to have no reference to any of the games either. Maybe it'll be great by its own, but it has actually nothing to do with "Final Fantasy". ------------------ It's not like, let's say, "Mortal Kombat". You entered the movie theater knowing who is Sonya, Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, Goro, Shang Tsung, Kano... there's actually a connection to the game here. A reason to use the name "Mortal Kombat" ------------------ But now... what's the reason to use the name "Final Fantasy", since there is nothing from the games in this movie? ------------------ The reason why I think "Doom" would be a poor movie: it has no relevant story to be changed into a movie. "Wolfenstein" would be nice, though. ------------------ A game that, I believe, would be the best movie ever: the "Marathon" series for the Macintosh computer (think about it as "if-DOOM-had-a-decent-storylin e). Or maybe its prequel, "Pathways Into Darkness". ------------------ Another possibility would be a movie series (like LOTR?) based upon Sega's "Phantasy Star" series.
original Japanese version by fecal-leakage	Feb 18th, 2001 08:52:26 PM
As is the case with all foriegn language films I'm sure the acting was much, much better in the original Japanese version. Hopefully Sony will have enough time to do a fine lip sync job on the English version. Given the fact that it is such a heavily hyped and VERY expensive movie it calls into question Sony's jugdement in allowing such a badly dubbed and rushed version to be the American publics first impression of Final Fantasy.
Final FANTASY, and what they Should have done by MaximUltra	Feb 18th, 2001 08:56:45 PM
Okay, I like FF 7 and 8 to a lesser degree (although the animations on 8 were spectacular), but I think that's what this movie may turn out to be, all flash and no substance. FF 9 was a breath of life, a harkening back to the great Final Fantasy games from SNES and NES, 6 being the best of all. I think that Square went the wrong way with this movie. I think they should have stuck with the thread of the Fantasy (sword and sorcery) element of the games that FF 9 brought back. I think it goes over a lot better than their sci-fi hi-tech stuff. Leave that to Blade Runner. I think that we can all agree that Lord of the Rings will be the first great "fantasy" movie in a long time. Square could have helped fill that void, but instead they tried to go for the tried and true "Post-apocalyptic future" setting. Yawn...
Actually, the film is completely devoted to English voices... by Hooper Y	Feb 18th, 2001 09:04:24 PM
So the concerns that the mouth movements don't match the voices are valid. This is a completely American film- It will have to be dubbed into Japanese.
Alkedama, you are one very confused child. by IAmJacksUserID	Feb 18th, 2001 09:18:16 PM
Jaws, CE3k, Duel, ET, The Indy Trilogy, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan. Compared to what? Terminator 1 and 2, Aliens, Titanic, The Abyss.... And half of those films are considered only watchable because of terrific action choreography. I hate to shatter your little bubble gum bubble, but Titanic was crap and the fact that it made so much money is a testament to the film's stupidity. We all accept the fact that the average movie-goer has the film taste of a 5 year old child. And as far as implying the idea the Lucas 'ripped off' the idea for Star Wars from Hidden Fortress, it is a known fact that he openly admits it was his inspiration. Cameron was sued because his Terminator concept was too similiar to a work by a famous sci-fi author. So get your bullshit story straight before you spew your uneducated rabble. And as far as taking risks, what the hell is so risky about making yet another film about the Titanic sinking or making a action oriented sequel to Alien. Spielberg and Lucas (in their early days, mind you) were true risk takers as they constantly had difficulty getting their films funded because they were so risky financially. I hope you wear knee boots and carry a shovel next time you post.
Huzzah. by Ricky Fitts	Feb 18th, 2001 09:21:12 PM
Final Fantasy VI was better than VII. They're both brilliant, but the characters in VI have never been equaled in video game history. I'm going to leave now.
to the "genius" who reviewed this movie by AssEyes	Feb 18th, 2001 10:33:50 PM
You drive all that way to Chatsworth to see a test screening and don't seem to understand why they have test screenings in Chatsworth? Like it or not, they have test screenings to test audience reaction to movies before the picture is locked -- that is, before expensive visual effects, which take many, many tries to get right, especially in an all CG movie -- so that they can fix what doesn't work while there's still time. A good example of a movie that DID NOT test and suffered the consequences when the film was locked was Harry's favorite, GODZILLA. Whether the people surrounding you at this screening hated the movie or not, they were at least organically recruited, to the extent that that can take place. You got yourself out to Chatsworth to review a movie that they don't expect is ready to be reviewed. I'm not saying that test screenings are always done right or if the questionnaires actually give any indication of whether a movie works or not, but I do see what they're trying to do, especially in the case of something like FF, and that's not to get reviewed by somebody who obviously has no clue how movies get made.
Lip-synching and Japanese animation by Guitarman555	Feb 18th, 2001 10:37:33 PM
In Japan, usually the animation is done first and then the voices are recorded (whereas in USA cartoons, the voices are recorded and the animation is done to fit them) so the Japanese voices in anime don't sync perfectly with the animation. There are a few exceptions to this. Akira, I believe was lip-synced. Just stop reading those subtitles for a sec and see it for yourself. It's most apparant when you watch scenes of characters in anime singing like in Macross 7 or Bubblegum Crisis. The mouth movements don't match at all. Japanese animators just haven't ever seen much reason to do things another way. Of course, seeing as how the animation in Final Fantasy is far from finished yet, it's more than possible that they're syncing voices the way USA animators traditionally do.
AssEyes maybe right BUT... by fecal-leakage	Feb 18th, 2001 10:44:42 PM
Hasn't this movie been in production for four years? For a movie that's been in production that long and is scheduled to come out in four months it sounds like much has yet to be done.
Dang... by TheOneCalledBen	Feb 18th, 2001 11:26:14 PM
Dang...Once again the 'experts' begin to spew forth their opinions like they've been working on this movie for several years, lecturing the people over at Square how they should've had continous plot lines and what not...As far as I'm concerned, wait till the goddam movie is actually OUT and available for general viewing before you begin to render your opinions on how much the movie will suck or rule based on your 'expertise.' Although, I have to admit as an anime fan, I'm eagerly awaiting such a film with what looks/sounds like a lot of anime influences and with such amazing animations.
This movie will be a big Flop! by GEEKBASHER 3.0	Feb 19th, 2001 12:34:46 AM
Serious, the audience lukewarm reaction to the trailer just says it all....Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within...Stupid title, they should have just left it Final Fantasy THE MOVIE! Also, I thought the role-playing game was more fantasy...why is this one so SCI FI influenced? Correct me if I am wrong, I just never got into playing the Final Fantasy Games, I mean The commercials for the games look awesome, but this one just looks so un-eventful, I thinking unless they bring us a more exciting trailer, this SUMMER EVENT will get clobbered!
I saw the first 20 minutes by kinekor	Feb 19th, 2001 01:10:04 AM
I went to this promotional junket where i saw the first 20 min of Final Fantasy.Let me tell you the voices and lip movement might not be that syncronised,but the rest of the animation is breathtaking. I really did believe that i wasn't watching CGI characters and so will you.The motion captured body movements of the characters are amazing and really lifelike. I can't really comment on the plot because i only saw the beginning,but even if the plot sucks BIG TIME who cares,it is definetely a huge step forward for motion picture animation. The first 20 minutes was worth the price of admission alone.
it's american animation that sucks....not jap's by mooncake	Feb 19th, 2001 01:57:53 AM
i'll take any jap animation over the boring sugar coated lame constipated *ss disney animated movies any day.
Anime Animation by Silencer	Feb 19th, 2001 02:16:24 AM
The term used for all animation in Japan is 'Anime' shortened from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word 'Animation' (A-ni-mee-sho-n) Whilst over on this side of the word, Anime is used to distinguish Japanese from western animation.
ff by DH	Feb 19th, 2001 02:21:40 AM
Not photorealistic - I never expected it to be. The term is banded about a lot but the actual meaning is unclear. People use it to describe something very real, but indistinguishable from live action, isn't attainable so it's not a good idea to expect it, you'll only set yourself up for a disapointment. No one complains about traditional animation lip sync, so why complain about CG? It's still animation. A plot that's not the standard Hollywood action formula - sounds promising to me. This review actually makes me feel more hopeful in a way, at least we'll get something different for a change.
The trailer was DULL?????????? by Roger Mortis	Feb 19th, 2001 02:21:44 AM
WTF!!!! The trailer for FF was fuckin' amazing! If you'd ever worked with 3D you'd know what I was talkin about! As for the (aparently)poor quality of rendering & lip sync, I can only speculate. But an educated guess would be that the final rendering will fix most of it (you know that pesky little month at a rendering farm where about 1200 Sillicon Graphix will churn out a frame a day...). Don't even get me started on "the metaphysical crap that no one cares about..." suffice to say that if you want to continue being forcefead simpleminded crap, shut the fuck up and go watch Battlefield Earth again, it seems to be right up your alley! Goddammit!!!
get your facts right.. by Mr_ant	Feb 19th, 2001 02:41:54 AM
the worst thing about this place is the 15 year olds who have read a couple of cinefex/cgi/ggw magazines and think they know all about the cg industry. Whoever said "In Japan, usually the animation is done first and then the voices are recorded" really needs to shut the fuck up. They are lip synched to Japanese dialog you moron, how the hell could you possibly animate a conversation frame by frame if the soundtrack isnt already recorded? Answer, you can't, assuming you want the animation to be good. what a fucking stupid comment.
The problem with the Eastern metaphysical crap... by Dave_F	Feb 19th, 2001 02:46:13 AM
...is that it's just not going to be a draw to American audiences. Period. Maybe, just maybe it's legimately deep, and just perceived as inane by unsophisticated, culturally isolated Americans...but THEY'RE THE GODDAMN TARGET AUDIENCE! Why build a film around concepts likely to confuse and possibly alienate them? Anime fanatics and "Final Fantasy" devotees don't exist in significant enough numbers to make this film a success by themselves. Sorry, fellas, but when I hear Donald Sutherland in the preview blah-blah'ing about how important it is that the girl retrieve that oh-so-vital eighth spirit, I think the film is shooting itself in the foot. It sounds about as deep as a video game informing me I need to "find the red key". That bodes poorly for "Final Fantasy's" future, because I should be an easy sell. Like everyone else here, I desperately want to see animation mature and diversify in America. I worship "Final Fantasy 6", even if the follow-ups have never managed to live up to it. And I'm even pretty open to anime, though Miyazaki's films are the only ones that have kept me coming back. So I'm not as immersed in Japanese culture as some of you cats, but I'm open-minded enough that this flick shouldn't be giving me the bad vibes it is. Here it is, the first serious, action-oriented, CGI movie...and I fear it's going to be buried in a ridiculously convoluted plot and seemingly arbitrary elements of Eastern mysticism. I'm still crossing my fingers that it'll prove me wrong. I'll be happy if it does. Right now, though, I'm just wishing they had adapted "Final Fantasy 6". Like one of the previous posters, I prefer the series when it leans towards traditional medieval fantasy and away from sci-fi.
Her hair pissed me off. by Bosun Dan	Feb 19th, 2001 02:50:20 AM
Her hair moved at every bloody opportunity. Perhaps it will be credited separately.
I knew this movie would bring out the UBER GEEK-MORONS from the by Mr_Intimidation	Feb 19th, 2001 03:47:07 AM
you knew it would happen. first story about final fantasy that goes into any depth and all the virgin geeks rush out with their "expert" opinions on why this is this and that is that. huh. played too many games by yourselves in the dark, boys. it's a friggin' movie. if it's even HALF what ghost in the shell was, it will be just fine. can't be any fuckin' worst than what hollywood has shoveled you fools in the last 10 years and calling it animation.
I attended the FF:TSW screening as well. I was sorta disppointed by LanStrider	Feb 19th, 2001 04:02:05 AM
It felt like the first-time I saw The Phantom Menace when receiving a test screening flyer for the upcoming Final Fantasy movie a few days ago. I attended the test screening in Chatsworth, Calfornia on Saturday Feb. 17th. The movie was presented as a DIGITAL projection workprint! For those who've seen the cut-scenes in Titan A.E. Special Editon DVD -- that's the best way to describe the experience of the FF: TSW workprint. The movie score wasn't completed at the time of this presentation.So instead, they substituted by using existing scores from Aliens, Alien3 ( btw, Elliot Goldenthal will be scoring FF: TSW ), The Matrix, and Gladiator. After the movie -- we all filled out questionaires. Then they kept a select few in the theatre to meet the Director & Exec. Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi and Producer Jun Aida. I wasn't one of them :( But I did catch them on their way out the theatre :) All I can say is -- for a workprint the production was extremely PHENOMENAL! Through most of the movie it was sorta hard-to-tell wether thecharacters were CGI or not. Yes, they were THAT DETAILED! I can't wait to see it again -- only this time 100% complete.
What any idiot should know about the FF series if they've actual by XTheCrovvX	Feb 19th, 2001 04:56:43 AM
People, lets get it perfectly clear....EVERY Final Fantasy game has a different story, and is set in a different universe every time....one might take place in meieval times, another in a technological war....in all of them magic works different..and on the same note, only a few elements remain to remind players that it's a FF game...Chocobos, Moogles, and certain spells(Ultima, Meteor, Fire, Ice and blah blah blah...) will carry over....NO, characters in one game will not come back in another game, no matter how much we want them to....and those fake Final Fantasy fans who call themselves fans after just playing part 7 need to go to EBay, get yourself a Super Nintendo, and get their asses to work on parts 2(5) and 3(6) before they even open their mouths about how a FF movie should be done. So, yes, Hooper Y, somebody here HAS played 6....but while im on that issue about comparing 7 to others in the series....sorry to have to say this, but 7 is the best of the series.....yes, Final Fantasy 3(6) rocked, but sorry, as far as RPGS go, i like mine to have that futuristic element, the only exception being Zelda.....FF7 has the storyline, game play and flow that i enjoyed THOROUGHLY, while part 3(6) fell flat on its ass in the second half(after Kefka got his power)...after a certain point, you just dont give a damn about the characters living or dying...in 7, you're concerned right up to the final moments (anybody who's seen Sephiroth's kick-all-types-of-major-ass Supernova tech has felt that concern, deeply...on the same note, the music there rips...)...and while i havent played 9 yet(not sure i want to...ive stated im not into the whole medieval/fairies/cutesy character thing), 8 also fell flat on its ass by trying to stick in TOO MUCH story...and in the end, it came out more like a soap opera than a game....anyways, anybodys welcome to contest my choice...
British Saucer... by Westrum	Feb 19th, 2001 04:58:37 AM
hey, i'll join your secret society. I'm in it for the blood, man!
He's a liar by Space Monkey	Feb 19th, 2001 05:54:11 AM
Hey what my little bro sayd above (first message) he's a liar. why because tell us then how the movie ends and tell us what happend whats not in the trailer you ass$&$& im a big fan of the FF games and the movie is not based on the games its a STAND ALONE. and what you tell us and THE HARRY MAN (i love you )is what we already know its all in the trailers.. well i dont care really if you saw it or not im sure its going 2 kick ass and will win a oscar :) thnx anyway Space out....
Anime by Ranger*Elrond	Feb 19th, 2001 05:56:04 AM
a quick point, my globe-spanning chums. MANGA is a production house that sell comics, many of which have been made into feature length animated movies. Anime is the colloquial term used for animated movies drawn in popular eastern comic fashion, typified in the pages of MANGA magazines. many MANGA titles have been produced as Anime movies. MANGA is generally associated with Anime as the most popular international Anime titles AKIRA and Ghost in the Shell are MANGA productions. we all clear on that? I adored FF7 and thought that the animation was ... well, cute. it's a shame that they didn't follow the lives of Cloud and co, and i'd love to get to see Aeris again (mmm, if she were a REAL girl ... i have a thing for redheads, ask the girl in the bar near my work). Still, there not finished with it yet, and i assume the test screening was for plot - i hope so anyway!!
Manga and anime by Lamont	Feb 19th, 2001 07:58:46 AM
"Manga" is the Japanese generic term for all "comics" (am I the only one who feels that "comics" is a pretty horrible term? "Graphic novel" is not much better
ok... by Bejitt	Feb 19th, 2001 07:59:43 AM
first off, FF:SW was NOT recorded in japanese... secondly, i don't know if any of you know this, but it's not like square would screw this movie up by doing all the movements on the computer frame by frame. that would increase the prodcution time drastically (and cost). they just happened to use a little thing called "motion capturing" (feel my sarcasm >=) to make it be more than just photorealistic. (btw, from what i've seen, motion capturing is slightly limited to large movement axii. ie-doesn't include lips) third: name one fully computer generated movie (not counting motion capturing). just one. ok now...i don't get why nobody else noticed this, but as each FF is conceptualized/made, it grows in both a series and in the "idea" of what Final Fantasy is. truely the only way to know what this "idea" is is to go play every FF game in ascending order. you'll notice that every FF grows on its predecessor. for instance, there's the shattering of the crystals, which caused the major decline in magic and the people used alternate methods to use spells. each FF after 5 (when the crystals shattered) had a lower abundance of magical energy (in people, mind you). there was also the ever-present technology increase in every FF (which was probably meant to show us how technology is making us forget our "spirits within") btw, FF7 wasn't exactly original...just for a second, think of materia as "aged" magicite (mixed in a bit vat)... now let that thought swirl in your head a bit along with what i just said (wrote?) (do not flame me for writing that) and to restate something that hooper_y posted: manga = comics every single anime you see on your tv/computer was originaly a manga, and just about all popular manga's are made into a tv series yet another thing (i keep looking back at posts): just because they say "frame by frame" doesn't mean that they spend hours on a single frame. "frame by frame" actually refers to the rendering process. when they make a scene sequence, it has a given amount of frames. on any of these frames, they can make it a "keyframe." this tells the program (3DSMax, for example) where all the objects will be at that specific frame in the sequence. to get to my point, they don't make every single frame a keyframe; when the program they are using sees that an object is at a different location/state(if you don't know, don't ask) than the most previous keyframe, it animates it between the two keyframes. IE - they don't do ALL the work hoping there's no word limit -Bejitt
Eva~! by Bejitt	Feb 19th, 2001 08:05:00 AM
omg, just saw the Eva post. Eva kicks so much ass, some people don't realize it. all the religious references are put in so fluidly and seamlessly it's unbelievable. btw, End of Evangelion was very very VERY awesome.
Check out Mondays DarkHorizon Square story! by fecal-leakage	Feb 19th, 2001 08:22:43 AM
Whoa Nelly! Fecal-Leakage finds the timing of test screening with press release stating Square getting out of movie making biz to become special effects house INTERESTING!
Mr Potato Head reply rife with irony by Unbound	Feb 19th, 2001 08:34:47 AM
Oh, excuse me for leaving the extra "L" on the end of cel. Try editing your own atrocious grammar and spelling before flaming anyone else. I never realized that talkbacks were some type of competition. If you are getting so worked up over anything said on these boards that you must resort to calling people names, you really need to get a real life. My point was that this film is still a work in progress, to evaluate it as anything else is unfair.
Then you opened your mouth...... by Replicant X	Feb 19th, 2001 09:42:51 AM
I realize it's cool to be passionate about something you care deeply for, but you sound like someone just took away a donated liver or something! The version of FF you saw was, in your own words, an ADVANCED screening. It was obviously shown to satisfy investors, execs, etc. and maybe get to publicity machine chugging! I don't know how the Hollywood system works, but I am grateful when something this friggin' cool comes along and I don't have to see one more "Sweet November" crap-fest. I have never played any of the FF games, but I am jazzed about this movie. I just hope that whiners like you don't ruin future movies like this for the rest of us. If the suits in H-town notice how large the "disappointed/ let down" fanbase has grown recently, then they just might give up on experimental projects like FF. Then we're left with the ever-bankable romantic/comedy drivel. That's the only thing that would truly suck.
Phantom Menace by Ewan	Feb 19th, 2001 09:57:09 AM
Whatever you do, don't enjoy Episode I. It's not COOL to like it, didn't you know. Don't even try to find a redeeming quality or your geek status will be revoked. I hate you all
just because it has final fantasy in the title....... by logjammer76	Feb 19th, 2001 10:07:45 AM
why the hell do people think it has to be like one or all of the final fantasy movies made for console systems???? all those who think that, please read this out loud. "I AM SO WE TODD DID. I AM SOFA KING WE TODD DID." now, get this through you thick as skulls that must be fill with cow crap cause it's a fantasy movie, which just happens to be done by square. that doesn't mean they absolutely have to, by the authority of the freaking chocobo gods, make this movie based one the actual game series. so when this movie comes out, don't go crying on your little mommie's shoulder pissing and moaning about how it's not like the games. deal with it and enjoy the fantasy ride that square is preparing to give viewers.
Kiss the fattest part of my Ghost-hacked ass, Cyclonus!!! by XTheCrovvX	Feb 19th, 2001 10:31:42 AM
You know, i was about to agree with you....Akira and Ghost in the Shell aren't the only animes in existence....(neither are Sailor Moon,Pokemon, and Dragon Ball, for that matter, those of you who are being weaned on the Cartoon Network)...but the second you started calling two of my favorites "empty and pretentious" and "lame and convulted", you pissed your credibility away. Ever wonder WHY those two are the first two animes anybody mentions? CAUSE THEY'RE THAT DAMN GOOD! Akira is anime's Year Zero, Ghost in the Shell was a science fiction story the likes of which STILL hasn't been recreated....I'm not ragging on Neon Genesis Evangelion, because that's damn good too in the story dept, but the flaw that sticks out several times in watching it is that it gets infantile at points(plus, well, sorry, except or Escaflowne, i've never been much for the Giant Robot type anime)....Akira and Ghost in the Shell are purely adult (even though Akira has its teenage moments) sophisticated sci-fi....and i can rattle off 5 other films that whip Evangelion to shit in the sophistication/maturity/storyl ine department....(Angel Cop, Crying Freeman part 1, and Mononoke Hime come to mind)...so, you my friend, can come back to this TB when you grow up. My code name is Project 2501...I am a living thinking Revolution.
The game I want to see a movie out of is.... by kid_ego	Feb 19th, 2001 10:52:01 AM
Starcraft. I know the game rips off about 30 great sci-fi movies from Alens to Stargate to Starship Troopers, but the action and cinematics in the cut-scenes are great, and I know, given a good director/script/CG Studio, they could do a kickass job with it.
Evangelion is A M A Z I N G ! by qmann	Feb 19th, 2001 11:32:25 AM
Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most amazing works of popular fiction ever created. Taking the popular Mech Genre and adding in such nuances as character development, sexual and emotional tension, and of course, the unbelievably strange take on the Christian religion makes this series a must see for ANYONE who thinks they are an animation/sci-fi fan. God, i love Eva. Oh, and suck my tiny cock - Episode I was NO MORE BORING than Return of the Jedi...EVERYONE knows it...
"FF Movie/ DOOM Movie"?? by darth_testine	Feb 19th, 2001 11:33:25 AM
A Fantastic Four and Dr. Doom Movie! That's great news! I've been waiting... Huh? What? Oh, nevermind.
Final Fantasy by Lobanhaki	Feb 19th, 2001 11:45:13 AM
1. No movie will be liked by everybody. There are people who complain about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon because it's all subtitled Mandarin Chinese. Some people carp on sci-fi and fantasy because it doesn't deal with the real world 2. I look at the animation they've done so far and speaking from personal experience (I've been learning Lightwave 3D {a highly underated program} for the past year and a half) Computer animation at that level of resolution and detail is difficult, and Squaresoft should be commended for even making the effort. 3. Some americans just have no respect for belief in things that aren't green and foldable, or which can't be driven around to impress friends and potential sex partners. Being an American myself, I can only shake my head. But that's the way of the world: Some people just can't see past the end of next week. Their loss; let's just not follow their poor example. 4 Let's see how good the final version of the movie is before singing to the heavens of it's quality or consigning it to the depths of cinema hell for it's presumption of even coming to the screen.
Ghost in the Shell by Khadaji	Feb 19th, 2001 11:52:08 AM
I notice that Ghost in the Shell was referenced, more then once, with Mononoki Himi (Princess Mononoki) as having lots of Eastern literary, and philisophical enfises to them. And that these were examples in comparison to Final Fantasy's feel. WELL i will ad mit, Mononoki Himi, is that, and actualy is based off of Japaness mythology, and etc. However Ghost in the Shell is not, one bit. Yes it takes place in Japan, but the majority of the Philosophy, and mete-physics reference, discussed, and used in it, is actualy primarly of European descent. Try looking up Descard, and Neitchie, for start. (forgive the spelling) Also lots of the philisophical aspects are parts of Pragmatism, which is primarly American in descent. Many people keep making comments about what it like, something else, and never give any thought, to looking at the actual context that the characters,a nd situation is in. Some movies do not give all the clues either. Ghost in the Shell for one, while can stand alone, is also much easier to undersand by reading the Manga... Mete-physical concepts should not realy be shoved off as trying to sound deep. And one should sertainly never complain from it from a move, if they happen to go to church, or fallow a verious faith, because those also are mete-physical in nature. Oh, as for my actual thoughts on the Final Fantasy movie. I can not wait to see it. I think it will be enjoyable, and more deserving then it will probibly get. However for the games, i have to say, that i could not stand the 7th one. i will still stick with the 6th as my favoret one...
In response to Mr. Ant by AnimeBryan	Feb 19th, 2001 12:43:24 PM
I don't normally post to things like this because they're a waste of time ... however, Mr. Ant's comments urged me to respond. Mr Ant .. in Japan, the animation IS done first and the voice track is done afterwards. The japanese voice actors since their lines to the action on the screen. The animators have the script already, so they know how to animate a decent conversation without actually having to hear the lines first. Oh, and sice this seems to be the only language you understand, I will translate what I just said for you: Fuck fuck fucky fuck 15 year old moron fuck. There ... understand?
its motion capture!!!!!! by tacohut	Feb 19th, 2001 01:05:55 PM
The animaton is great? its motion capture you moron.
What was wrong with TITAN A.E. ? by Psyclops	Feb 19th, 2001 01:12:23 PM
I actually enjoyed that film! It was a fun little sci-fi rollercoaster with some decent voice talents to boot. I can't think of any really negative aspects of that film, I think the only reason no one seems to like it is because of it's box office failure. People think that the movie must have been terrible if it didn't make $100 million. Too bad. If 'Final Fantasy' is near the quality of 'Titan' then I'd say the future looks bright.
by cynicaster	Feb 19th, 2001 02:22:34 PM
First off you holier than though geek fuckers need to learn how to spell. Second get off your fuckin high horses, you're no better than anyone else just because you like Japanese Cartoons(hehe). You don't have to be assholes when someone holds an opinion you do not share. Apparently the person who reviewed this movie was not very open minded to the meta-physical aspects of the plot. Well boo-hoo, for one I'm glad Square didn't dumb the movie down so it will be more acceptable to the general public. Fuck that, if you don't like substance over style fuck you, so what if it's not the action extravaganza you wanted and it makes you think instead. And how can you say that GITS and Akira weren't comparable to Mononoke Hime and Eva, they are all spectacular in their own respects. Akira was fucking awsome the first time I saw it. FF7 was a great videogame, it may not have been as good as FF6 but so what, It was fun, gorgeous, engrossing and kept me busy for a good month. MGS2 will be the greatest gaming experience ever, so who cares. And yes I'm aware of my own hipocracies.
Sony's crying--this movie cost major $$$$$$$$ by Lance Rock	Feb 19th, 2001 02:51:59 PM

hello, Harry, have you ever PLAYED a FF game? by Space Girl G	Feb 19th, 2001 03:44:16 PM
Harry, what you just described is the typical FF game complete with several elements that are continuing threads throughout the series (the different colored elements, a mentor named Cid, etc). I for one am glad to see they've threaded them into the movie. I was afraid they would cut out most of the game threads, just create a random sci-fi cgi action flick, and slap the name "Final Fantasy" on it to draw people in, but it looks to me like they've made it a point to make this a real part of the Final Fantasy mythos. Kudos to Square on this one. As far as the lip-syncing goes, does anyone know if there will be a Japanese version out? I can not imagine the Hell it would be to code out graphics that spoke in both Japanese AND English (just like any anime, you don't reanimate the whole series just because you dub it). If that is the case, I'd rather see it in the Japanese with subtitles. I can read. My biggest problem with animated features these days is that studios feel the need to find the biggest name actors and use them as voice actors. This, to me, is a horrible distraction. I watch almost everything that hits the theaters, so I recognize the voices instantly. I realized the character in Titan A.E. was Drew Barrymore about half way through, and it ruined a good portion of the movie for me. Lost the believability. Same for Billy Bob Thornton and Jada Pinkett in Mononoke. It would be so much easier to watch if the voices were VOICE actors (and, thus, unrecognizable).
Mr Ant by Sokolov22	Feb 19th, 2001 09:00:48 PM
I don't know if Mr Ant's post will get deleted... I have never posted here before but if I were a moderator I would delete it. In any case, I will respond to it anyway. I do not know if this is always true, but a lot of times, the animation IS done prior to actual recording. Case in point is the video game Lunar:SSSC. I am speaking of the PS remake version of this game done by Working Designs. One of the bonus CDs included in this is called "Making of Lunar", basically, a CD that shows you what goes on behind the scenes. And part of it shows them recording the character's voices. Many times, they were too fast or too slow compared to the animation. Personally, I believe it is easier to synch voices to a completed animation than to synch a block of frames to some voice track. You can easily re-record the voice track but you'd have to go back to the drawing board to do more frames. Also, what if the voice track is longer or shorter than your animation time was alloted? Are you going to redo the entire thing? Change the storyboard cause the guy who recorded the voice spoke too slow or too fast? That just doesn't make sense. So anyway... there ya go.
Regarding "photo-realism"... by Dave_F	Feb 20th, 2001 02:12:00 AM
Seems some of you anime-fiends are getting all bent out of shape when people describe the look of "Final Fantasy" as photo-realistic. News for ya guys: the term is completely applicable. Look, the movie makes extensive use of motion-capture technology and all the latest rendering software, the human character designs have little or no exaggerated elements to their features, and I can see frickin' skin pores on the characters. The only way things could look more real is if they were, y'know...REAL. You can call it "hyper-real" if it makes you feel better, but don't pretend photo-realism isn't an accurate way to describe what Square's attempting. Jump back a ways on this Talkback to a post by Kinekor. He saw and enjoyed the first 20 minutes, and noted, "I really did believe that i wasn't watching CGI characters and so will you.The motion captured body movements of the characters are amazing and really lifelike." Sounds real to me. Even...PHOTO-REAL! I just wanna know, why the crusade against that term? It's not even a value judgement regarding the movie, just a statement of fact. Personally, however, I am dubious of the merits of such realistic character designs - exaggeration is such a strength of animation, why discard it? "Final Fantasy's" look seems pretty cool at a glance, but it may be more of a novelty than an effective use of the medium. But we'll see. I'm probably one of the five or six people in the world who found the rotoscoped animation in Bakshi's "Lord of the Rings" to have merit, so maybe I'll change my mind when I see the whole thing. But it is photo-realistic, dig?
take it easy... by wihuang	Feb 20th, 2001 02:37:46 AM
Don't want to argue with u guys, Final Fantasy is intended to be an English only movie. The lipsync looks awkward because the range of motion is not as extreme as in real life. The only way that they could fix it is to re-key the mouth and render the character layer only and then composite it. This would take a long time and would push back release, therefore i don't think will be an option for Square. However, u'll know if u do animation that the quality of work is quite a breakthrough. So i think the quality will only be better. But for now we should all embrace it with an open mind.
FF: The Movie by Celtic90	Feb 20th, 2001 03:20:51 AM
I've read these posts now and I must say that everyone beleiving this moron jackass's review of a FIRST test screening are complete and utter brainless pud wanking butt pirates who need to realize that this movie is not based on any videgame at all. This is a totally independent venture on Square's part and only shares the common name of their most popular videogame, Final Fantasy. Yes of course similar themes are used in both. (Metaphysical crap!?, huge battles, love themes, nature...) All of these things are in most manga and Japanese videgames. This reviewer is probably like 14 and just saw Ninja Scroll and thinks he's the master motherfucking know it all on "Japanimation" (ugh) anyone who claims to be a Manga fan and uses a term like Metaphysical crap should be beaten about the head with a copy of Nausicca, Ghost in the Shell, or some other blunt object. This jackass probably only watched the motorcycle scene in Akira and likes the way the Giant robots in "Robotech" blow shit up. (the use of robotech is sarcasm BTW) all in all this guy is an utter moron and James Cameron is the fucking HACK, Everyone of "his" movies based on old ass sci fi stories from back in the day. I hate Lucas because he is a whore for merchandising and I hate Speilberg for becoming a grown up and not making kick ass geek films like Goonies, even though I like SPR for the most part and Schindler's List was pretty cool too.
Don't judge....until you have seen! by TRAILER TRASH	Feb 20th, 2001 03:57:12 AM
The dude sounds like a dick to me. Are u gonna listen to this 'cracker', when you haven't seen the film for yourself. He is but one dude, you are many! We all have different views on films-not all us like the same stuff. Hey Harry, dude...I've got plenty of weed if you wanna come round for a smoke!
Best idea for video-game-to-movie by ChestRockwell	Feb 20th, 2001 08:33:08 AM
I have the greatest video-game-to-movie idea. Ok, close your eyes. Oh wait, I guess you couldn
That was gay by Black Jesus	Feb 20th, 2001 12:01:47 PM
that's not the greatest game-to-movie idea ever... it's the most nigger. Final Fantasy will probably bomb at the box office... but so did Fight Club and that movie kicked ass... I'm betting money that FF will too.
Actually. . . by RP McMurphy	Feb 20th, 2001 12:50:57 PM
Mr_ant- A great deal of Japanese animation is drawn first and recorded later. Not all, but definitely a lot of it is. You've never seen one where the actor speaks three distinct separate sentences while the animated face just keeps on flapping away like there's no tomorrow (or periods)? Check out more than AKIRA and GHOST IN THE SHELL.
The Eastern Way by arjaybee	Feb 20th, 2001 01:46:16 PM
Part of the problem with some of these "metaphysical" concept pieces from the East are the advanced hype that anime fans heap on these rather ordinary pieces of work. Princess Mononoke was downright dull in many parts and calling it the "'Star Wars' of animated films..." is just a huge stretch. The Iron Giant was better than Mononoke, as was Titan AE (only just barely). I grew up on 'StarBlazers', 'Battle of the Planets' and 'Speed Racer' and love alot of anime, but IMO, 'Totoro' was far superior to Mononoke. I saw "Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" this past weekend, and again was disapointed in what was pre-billed as "one of the greatest films of all-time". Although it was well directed, well acted and had some of the most amazing action sequences I have ever seen...I left the theater with that 'Phantom Menace' feeling of expectations not met...it just didn't connect with me even though it was good...it ain't great. I am a huge fan of Final Fantasy and can only hope that they find a way to get this movie to "connect" in the same way as FF VI and the other classics of the video game series.
FFTM by Gentle_Fury	Feb 20th, 2001 02:52:43 PM
I'm not really all that concerned with one persons opinion, i am very heavilly looking forward to this movie, and have been since its first announcement in 95. I cant wait for this movie, and i am SOOOO happy to hear that they decided to stay true to the series and not go with an action flick! I just really hope the story can hold up to the others......and as far as eastern philosphy in films, look at Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.....one of the most amazing films to come out in some time.....is nominated for like everything this year, and will prolly win most of the awards!! no bashing on eastern movies, i mean hell if you go in expecting an american action flick from a japanese video game company that has specialized in story based games that dont rely on all action.....your crazy! Ill prolly see this one several times
BAD REVIEW by Kindari	Feb 23rd, 2001 10:31:10 AM
If this movies is as bad as Mortal Kombat, it will be great! That movie had no plot, but it was cool! If it is as bad as MK2, I'll write a letter to square telling them the true solution... You see, big man James Cameron, who knows how to tell a story, make it come to life, and sell the hell out of it should head up a Square Production. Square's already spent 150 mil on FF and they're not done! if cameron were in charge, he'd make sure that the story was solid. There's a difference between telling the audience the story and drabbing it down with boring explanations and showing the audience and engaging them. I truly hope this film does the later, and i'm really excited to see it. Square (like Lucas) doesn't have to pay the service fees for CG since they do all of their stuff in house (how do u think Lucas so easily afforded all that work for SW Episode 1?). Did you know that Cameron was not allowed to take the helm for Terminator 3? Arnold just recently signed on after 5 years of holding out. The reason? They were afraid he would blow up the budget. As the king of his domain, they should have kissed his feet and thrown money at him. His record speaks. Regardless of how much you all think Titanic sucked, Cameron spent under 200 Mil, and it brought back in over a billion dollars world wide. And by the way. Titan A.E. had good actors, good characters, great CGI, ok animation, ok sound, and some pretty cool music to go along with it. The plot may have been a little loose, but it wasn't a bad movie. If you want to see bad movies try these: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Street Fighter, Steel, Excess Baggage, Mad Love (wow that movie was horrible), and let no one ever forget the travesty committed in the production of Battlefield Earth. Anyone see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? If you're mature enough to watch it with sub-titles, you'd understand why it's "eastern" style is on everyone's A list. After all, is an Eastern film. Final Fantasy is Japanese... not american. I'm totally pumped about seeing it.
Mononoke...Doh! by arjaybee	Feb 23rd, 2001 10:49:03 AM
"...enjoying Mononoke takes an active mind that looks beyond casual viewing..." - That's double talk for "bring some coffee, because this one will make you sleepy". As for it being "far, far superior to Star Wars" well, your opinion is noted, but I believe more than just the Homer Simpson crowd would disagree with you there. I'll return you Princess Mononoke lovers back to your wine and cheese...tah,tah.
Well to be honest by Darth Satan	Feb 23rd, 2001 01:55:48 PM
I thought the game always sucked. All of them are terrible boring. Someone already said this but whatever happened to that Doom movie they where talking about a few years ago?
Final Fantasy Movie by EternalExistence	Feb 24th, 2001 08:13:16 PM
Pssst Khadaji, Ghost In The Shell takes place in Hong Kong not japan, not harping ya, but alot of people will make that mistake. Now for the movie. Im going to see it, the CG animation looks better then anything i have seen to date, the only other animation i have seen like that was for the face on the PS2. This is a new frontier they are going with in CG animation, all previous CG films havent tried to use Human Characters, but used animals, toys, and such. The screening was done with an unfinished product, so its looks unfinished. Bet you those that screen tested Star Wars: Episode one thought it kinda suck, all the CG not finished, green screens, that sorta thing. Sony and Square are staking reputations on the line for this movie. They aint gonna sell you product that wont make them money. Ok the movie is first being dubbed in english for the american audiences. But America aint the only country in the world. Some American films do very poorly on the Foriegn Market. They are also trying to do a Movie that will appeal to Asian, and European cultures. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, good or not good, i dont know, i will wait and see the finished product before i make a judgement on it. Also i gotta Agree on something Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost In The Shell, Akira, well they all kick ass. They have inspired a story i am slowly developing. Another good Anime to see would be Lain, hey it might not be NGE, or Ghost In The Shell, but it has it thinking parts in it. I am Existence A Name, A Person, My Digital Self
Calm down, people! by xenophon	Mar 25th, 2001 02:26:00 AM
First of all, keep in mind that this is a movie. Movies were meant for entertainment. But you people have turned it into a political debate. This is Square Soft, not Watergate! Now that that's out of the way ... I am a huge Final Fantasy fan. I have been counting the days for this movie to come out. I don't agree with some of you action fanatics that this movie should be a 2-hour long, chaotic, blood-bath experience. Final Fantasy is about life and death. It's about the way people think and act. It's about the world as we see it. It's NOT about a Navy seal beating some one in the nuts with a crowbar, and then ripping out a guy's spleen with his teeth. I realize that in today's industry, horrific and deplorable violence sells. And that's fine. You can have your repetitive Jean-Claude Van god-Damn action movie that makes the audiences lose control of their bowels in the theater. I prefer to dive into a brilliantly written Drama, with plot twists, excellent music, emotion, and character development. I don't think that billions of rendered pixels should be wasted on a man getting his appendages ripped off. If you want to see that, I believe there's a web site called "Snuff Films" for you. Another thing that I would like to mention is a comment on this "photo realistic" debate. The characters do look real. I see a lot of you asking, "Why not just make it live action?" Well, I think it's in 3d animation because the director was trying to achieve a world fantasy and myth. It would be a major pain in the ass working with the "brat-pack" group of actors (i.e. Eddy Murphy, Minnie Driver, etc...) in front of a blue screen 24/7. The Photo-realism is a paradox, really. It's supposed to look completely real, but at the same time, have that artistic effect, that will put you into a world of myth, a world of dreams, and a world of fantasy...
Very easily manipulated people... by neosverax	May 24th, 2001 05:14:21 PM
Wow! ONE bad review and suddenly the whole world is turned upside down! Can you guys believe how people can be so ignorant and believe everything ONE person says about a movie? Let me say that there were more people who saw the screening than just this person above who wrote the review. ONE review is not enough to convince me that the movie is bad because I'm smart enough to know that not everybody will be pleased. I know there was somewhere around a 100 people who watched the screening. Give me 50 reviews that say this movie sucks from those who saw it and I'm convinced. Give me one bad review and I'm not even considering changing my thought. PEOPLE, use common sense! One bad review from 100 does not make the movie suck!

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