Spirits Within

Just really want to give my opinion on them, especially because they aren't that openly talked about for some reason. I'll speak of them in the same order I watched them. So, ⚠️spoiler alert⚠️.

FFXV: Kingsglaive:

It was intense. Certainly the film I was looking foward to watch more, and although I was partly aware of what happened in it, it was still hardcore.

To start, I wanted more Ravus. And the kings shouldn't have burnt his arm, for fuck's sake! Ok, don't want to give him your power, I understand (although Ravus is correct in being angry, he's just angry at the wrong person), but don't burn the arm he got shot in dammit! Now it truly is useless. Ravus always looked beautiful, both as a young man and older, as expected of the best character. I also love how he says "I'm not here for the crystal" during the attack. Poor man, he needs a break. Boy just wants to protect his sister!

Next, I already knew Drautos was the bad guy, I discover that when I went to read his wiki page because of his one line and appearance in the Pocket version already made me love him, and I don't remember reading he was Glauca (I actually think I stopped reading when I saw he was the bad guy of the movie), but what impresses me more is how I got there during Regis's death. Something about it really made the click that Glauca was Drautos. Of course, I spent the entire movie knowing Drautos was the bad guy, so I was waiting for the revelation. I guess it was because of that that I got it when I did.

Speaking of deaths, I don't know which one made me cry more, Crowe, Clarus or Regis. I didn't even know Clarus was in the film! (Or perhaps I had read he was but forgot), so that certainly caught me off guard. Crowe was a great character, although lacking screen time, she was still likeable.

On another note, Luna looks stunning! Certainly my favorite outfit of her. And uh.... She was taught parkour?! Ok then.

I also really liked the parallelism that is created around Nyx and Libertus. I can't exactly explain it, and I don't want this to be too long, but if you've watched the film, certainly you know what I'm talking about.

Also, where did they get the Diamond Weapon from? Did they steal it from FFVII? I swear, there was at least one (if not two) daemons that looked like Diamond Weapon. And how did the Empire get Ultros on their side? How... How does that one work? That was rather unexpected for me. That and the whole Kingsglaive betrayals that went on.

Nyx was cool. Do I still love Ravus more? Yes, obviously, he's best boy after all, but Nyx was cool out there. He did what had to be done.

Overall, as a person that doesn't really watch films, I'll admit this is one I'd happily rewatch.

FFVII: Advent Children Complete:

Clearly the one I was looking forward the less, after all is FFVII and has the worst version of what's already a tiresome song, so clearly not a good start to it. Still, it wasn't that bad. I mean, if there's something good in it it certainly is the outfits, Square really scored there.

To start, they absolutely ruined Reno and Rude, which is really sad. Sure, in the world of FFVII they serve as a comic relief every now and then, but they also take their job seriously, Rude even wears that face more than Reno. In the film, they made them total comic relief, giving them poor seriousness, not even in battle, where they always have it. Sure, I can take some comical remarks here and there, especially if they're just hanging and stuff, and even in battle, but not in their entire dialogue, man! Really ruined it a bit, ngl.

Second, Rude comparing Rufus and Tseng to cats was amazing. I loved that part. Speaking of Rufus and Tseng, they both were amazing. I've said it once, I'll say it again, I LOVE Rufus' persistence and perceptive skills. It's like his trademark, what makes him unique, and god am I glad they showed them so well in this film. Sadly, Tseng didn't appear as much, but that's alright. Tseng doesn't need to appear for us to know he is awesome. Escaping death a thousand times alongside his boyfrie-, I mean chief, makes them great characters, if you ask me.

Vincent was amazing, especially in his first appearance, where he looked just like a flying cape. Imagine having such a dodge ability in Dirge of Cerberus! I had already read a comic that made fun of this detail, so when I saw it happening it immediately reminded me of it lmao. I also love how he says "Fly" in the most nonchalant way possible. Cid was pretty awesome too, ngl.

Next, Yazoo absolutely killed it. And, I don't know, the fact he uses guns that also work as daggers/blades makes him look even more badass. Loz's weapon and character overall was also more impressive than I expected, especially because he can electrocute stuff with it and it's retractable! And he has a rather interesting dynamic with Yazoo. Now we wait for Yazoo to be added to Dissidia Opera Omnia... Kadaj was really cool too, just really ruins it how he becomes the worst character ever written. Plus, they're all clearly better than Sefiros. That joke can't even teleport like they do! Or create clothes out of thin air! Sefiros, you're really losing points, gotta step up your game.

Next! The translation was a bit off, the subs from where I'm watching (they're in Portuguese) and what they were saying (which is in English). Namely, Elena calling Reno at the beginning or later saying "Hey guys!" it was translated as "Senpai", so I'm guessing that's what she says in the Japanese version, since 'Senpai" is used to refer to an upperclassman/superior, so it makes sense (as Reno, and Rude, are above her in Turk ranks). Another weird one was everytime Rude referred to the Forgotten City as "base" it translated to Ajit. Why? I don't know, but I again suspect it's related to how the dialogue goes in Japanese. Some other quotes were not correctly translated either, an issue present in Kingsglaive as well, but the main thing was there regardless, so it wasn't a problem or anything.

Would I rewatch the film? Maybe, but I have no rush to do so. Certainly would do it for Vincent, Cid, Rufus, Yazoo and Kadaj, and I guess Loz; little more than that. Also, the symbolism that's throughout the film, Fenrir, the water cleansing everyone of Geostigma, as water represents purity, and so does baptism, which is how Denzel gets cleansed basically, that's pretty cool. I like that stuff. And uh.... Why does Cloud's bike, Fenrir, looks like it has a booty? Ngl, I always found that design choice really weird. Oh, and thank god Cloud cleaned the rust off the Buster Sword, or Square would have had to add a scene where Angeal comes down from heaven to beat the shit out of Cloud obviously. Bet he was pretty upset if he had found out; same for Aerith about the flowers, but she's not important, Angeal is.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within:

So, I knew I shouldn't expect something as fantasy like as Final Fantasy normally is, as this is more sci-fi. Still, I liked it, and I'm more for fantasy and adventure type of stuff, my father is the sci-fi guy of the family (and he didn't like the film. But I'm guessing he was expecting something more Final Fantasy like). Also, clearly this was made more for Western audiences, there's no way it was the other way. At least, it feels like that to me.

But so, the animation was rather realistic. Of course, obviously an animation, but still, sometimes it looked like real actors out there performing. But only sometimes, ok?

The idea of Phantoms and dying by not damaging the body, but your spirit is pretty interesting and something that often characterizes my own original characters, although what they're able to destroy/kill is your soul, instantly killing whomever soul's they attacked (with a special weapon [often a scythe, as they follow the common grim reaper troupe] or some special ability). But back to the film, it's still an interesting concept and one that, as you can guess, I kinda like. Plus, the Phantoms being invisible usually is quite interesting too, personally. I like it.

Character wise, I have to admit, Aki was rather ok, so was Gray, but the rest were quite lacking unfortunately. Dr. Sid was quite alright as well, Jane and Neil had so much potential, but they didn't expand it, same for Ryan, and on that note, even General Hein. Sure, he's the type of character created for you to hate, like Hojo or Don Corneo of FFVII, with an inflated ego and searching for more and more power, but still..... I felt like it could have been a bit more, you know?

The overall film felt short, and while the other two are 2 hours, this one is basically only 10 minutes shorter, but it felt even shorter than that. Still a good movie, I wouldn't mind watching it again (I could do with no kissing though.... But still good, I'm just not up to watch stuff like that).

So, yeah, that was it. I wouldn't mind chatting more about them. Next on the list is the anime Final Fantasy Unlimited, which I've been told is kinda like Spirits Within, the only Final Fantasy thing there is in the name, but I'll see that for myself (I want to know what's the character that shares voice actor with Kuja and Kazusa like!).

Btw, I do recommend all three movies, although do be prepared to accept The Spirits Within is not your "Final Fantasy fantasy world" type, at all, but still a nice movie personally.