Review: The Spirits Within
Monday, July 16, 2001 — Ottawa, Canada — I actually saw this movie opening night, I write this article now because I just returned from vacation in Toronto (where I saw the film). Prior to seeing this movie I read a review in The Toronto Star. The journalist mentioned nothing of the plot except that "it wasn't very good." He instead focused on the computer-generated graphics which make up the film. He stressed that Final Fantasy only proves that we haven't developed CG animation enough to make lifelike humans. He said that the artists are still unable to capture the movements and expressions of a human accurately.
I agree, but not as strongly. Watching The Spirits Within, I did see what he was talking about… but I was blown away by how far computer-generated animation has come. Toy Story was amazing to most, but Final Fantasy is much more realistic. CG animators are accelerating down the track to realism. Only recently have we seen anything done by a computer in theatre and film… considering I think the artists of Final Fantasy deserve a number of awards for taking this large step.
But everyone talks about the animation.
The plot of Final Fantasy was actually very good, in my opinion. It deserved better than the 2-star rating given to it by The Star. It involves Dr. Aki Ross, a scientist on a quest with her mentor, Cid, to gather the 8 spirits necessary to rid their Earth of the Phantoms, an alien force that has destroyed many of their cities and devours the souls of the living. The spirits of the two worlds conflict, which reminded me verry much of the Gaia–Terra conflict in Final Fantasy IX—even to the point of the opposing red and blue.
Despite accusations of others who said that The Spirits Within should not be a Final Fantasy title. The plot is actually very FF-like. While it does not contain swords, summons or magic specifically, the Final Fantasy-esque nature is still there. There is the standard collection of items—the spirits—that is seen in most FF games, if you need something that concrete to call it Final Fantasy. There is also the general Final Fantasy feel. Fantasy also has a philosophical side, more than just Earth vs. The Aliens. The myths and legends of Life, Death and the Afterlife, spirits and greater forces are apparent in all Final Fantasy titles, and are a big part of the FF plot.
If you watch Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within as a movie and not worry about how real it looks you'll probably enjoy it. If you watch it to find flaws in the graphics, you'll suck the fun out of it. That would be like trying to see the mirrors in a magic show. The characters in Fantasy are realistic—certainly more than enough so that you can, if willing, adequately suppress your disbelief to enjoy the film. They have their own personalities, well potrayed by the voice actors. I was also impressed by the comic relief at certain points, like in the games. A few one-liners by the characters pick up the audience.
The big picture: The characters in Final Fantasy are realistic. The plot is both inventive and deep. The graphics are astounding and the sound is also impressive. The Spirits Within is an excellent movie and I reccomend it to any fan of fantasy, sci-fi, action or computer animation.
Galbadia X Rating: * * * * ½ (4½ stars out of five)