I just don't like sci-fi.
It doesn't do it for me at all…
But I do like animation, and Final Fantasy is like no other animated movie ever.
It features the most realistic looking images ever seen. It's really kinda amazing, and kinda creepy too, because some of the mannerisms are just too real.
Unfortunately I knew going in that the novelty would wear off, and sure enough, we're left with a boring old sci-fi movie. I mean, if this was a live action movie, it would really suck.
The story of Final Fantasy isn't too bad in and of itself, but the words used to bring it about are. It has to be one of the worse scripts to hit the screen in recent memory. Well, no, there was JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS…
The task of bringing the blah words to life was given to a pretty good cast.
Ming Na is Aki, a doctor trying to save the Earth from an alien outbreak.
Alec Baldwin is Grey, the Captain of a military squad. Hey, this is the second week in a row I hear Alec Baldwin's voice in a darkened room…(CATS AND DOGS).
Donald Sutherland plays the doctor that's trying to help Aki. He's the creepiest character to look at because he's older, and the wrinkles and liver spots add to the realness.
The rest of the squad are portrayed by Ving Rhames, Peri Gilpin, and one of my favorite actors, Steve Buscemi.
Playing the role of a General that looks more like a hitman or tough guy, is James Woods.
Yep, definitely a good cast, but even they couldn't save the script. The cliches are just too much for them to handle…
Another problem I had with this movie are the aliens themselves.
I'm not giving anything away here because they are clearly seen in the commercials for the movie, but they look…stupid.
See, it's my opinion that "monsters", for lack of a better term, need to look at least a little human in order to be truly effective. "Abstract" (again, for lack of a better term) looking creatures aren't as impressive. So keep your tentacles and your antennae and your giant claws and mandibles, and give me something I can appreciate….
I definitely give the creators of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within an "A" for effort.
It must of been a helluva lot of work to pull this thing off.
But after hearing about how much this movie cost to make, a reported $137 Million, I just don't know if it was worth it…