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Final Fantasy : The Spirits Within, a review by KinkyCyborg

Final Fantasy : The Spirits Within



Title:Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Year: 2001
Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi, Moto Sakakibara
Rating: PG-13
Length: 106 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, French, Commentary

Stars:
Ming-Na
Alec Baldwin
Ving Rhames
Steve Buscemi
Peri Gilpin

Plot:
The year is 2065 AD. The Earth is infested with alien spirits, and mankind faces total extinction. Led by a strange dream and guided by her mentor, Dr. Sid, scientist Aki Ross struggles to collect the eight spirits in the hope of creating a force powerful enough to destroy the alien presence and pure enough to protect the planet. With the aid of the Deep Eyes Squadron, Aki must save the Earth from its darkest hate and unleash the spirits within. FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN is the groundbreaking new CGI film from the creators of the Final Fantasy Video Game Franchise.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Gallery
Production Notes
Multi-angle
Music Videos
Storyboard Comparisons
DVD-ROM Content
Closed Captioned
Scene Editing Workshop


Film adaptation of the immensely popular gaming series, I did not see much of a resemblance between the two either in characters or story. It is however cutting edge CGI animation and it is stunning to behold.

I've never been a fan of the anime genre. Actually I shouldn't say that... I've never really given it a chance. If all anime were like this, life like in appearance with characters that look like real people I would likely watch more of it. I have no interest in watching the anime where all the 'toons' have big saucer moon eyes and triangular heads.    Just not my thing.

I found the story of this confusing, even when it was being explained to me near the end I still wasn't entirely sure what was happening. Something to do with indigenous earth Spirits clashing with alien 'phantom' Spirits with the solution being to collect 8 roaming spirits and channel them through the lead female in order to dissolve the alien 'ghosts'. Again very confusing but the spectacular imagery more than makes up for it.

I always have fun trying to identify the voice talent in animated movies. I was able to pick out Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, Donald Sutherland, James Woods and Keith David. It was bugging me who was doing the voice of Aki Ross and was surprised that it was Ming-Na and not a more recognizable actress.

Had they stuck with a less complicated plot I think they could have hit a home run with this but if you leave the viewer puzzled it can detract from planned sequels (Advent Children).

I still haven't watched Titan A.E. and I'm curious to see how it stacks up to this.

KC

Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on December 10th, 2010)

Crossroads, a review by KinkyCyborg

Title:Crossroads
Year: 2002
Director: Tamra Davis
Rating: PG-13
Length: 93 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Britney Spears
Anson Mount
Zoe Saldana
Taryn Manning
Dan Aykroyd

Plot:
Starring Superstar Britney Spears, Crossroads is an inspired, fun-filled adventure about taking risks, pursuing dreams, and making friendships that last. Shawn Edwards of FOX-TV says, "Crossroads ia a perfect teen dream. It has everything that makes a movie totally cool: laughs, adventure, spirit, hot music, drama, and of course: BRITNEY!" Watch Lucy (Spears) ash she and two childhood friends embark on a cross-country adventure that is sure to change their lives forever.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Production Notes
Music Videos


Again, keep in mind I'm at the whim of a random number generator...

Like most musicians who have hit it big and take a turn at movies, here a pre-trainwreck Britney Spears throws her hat into the ring at a time when she was at the height of her popularity.

This movie was like a thousand other teenage girl movies... nothing original or terribly inspiring. Britney does a credible job... so much so that you almost forget about the shaved-head, lunatic, delinquent mother that she would become. Early role for Zoe Saldana, long before she would turn blue and start talking funny. 

Every actor is allowed a mulligan or two in their acting career and this was definitely one for Dan Aykroyd who played Brit's nazi, porker father. Dan... sometimes you just have to say no. 

KC

Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on May 28th, 2010)

"Due South" marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

The Wild Bunch

This is another great episode. Gotta love the episodes that center around Deifenbaker. And as was mentioned above... I am glad they touched on the fact that having a wolf in the city can be a dangerous thing.

My Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 23rd, 2009)