Rating: 
Summary: Almost...
Review: "Final Fantasy" is quite the technical achievement, and a very intriguing movie to watch. It plays to me like an Americanized anime complete with a male lead that looks like Ben Affleck (though with the voice of Alec Baldwin). It's an enjoyable viewing experience despite some iffy dialogue and some slow spots.But does the DVD live up to the film, breaking barriers and being a technological wonder? Well, not quite. Sure, there are plenty of extras here, but they're not that useful. Many of them simply involve looking at animatics or storyboards, something that seems pointless when you're dealing with an animated movie. It's animated, the whole thing is "drawn." Why do we need to see storyboards? Anyways, there's also the documentary, which seems lacking in many areas (not the least of which being the absolutely awful music that plays throughout it). There's almost no focus on the voice talent, and you never really get a sense of how this movie is made; it's a bunch of talking heads. Of course, this DVD comes on the heels of the outstanding "Phantom Menace" package, so I guess anything will seem lame by comparison. Then there's this editing feature, where you can shuffle a scene to your own liking. I couldn't understand how to do it, I don't know about you. When your DVD feature needs and instruction book, it's not a good feature, if you ask me. Then there's the picture quality, which I must say is rather lacking considering it's been taken directly from the digital source material. This is a grainy, sometimes downright dirty looking transfer that is outshined by many released culled from film prints. But, again, it is a technical marvel, a feast for the eyes, as they say. Just try to get it on sale.
Rating: 
Summary: Astonishing Sense of Wonder!!!!
Review: "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" is a wonderful, brilliant, beautiful movie. The visionary plot has some nice new-age elements, and I'll take that any day over the more conventional and ordinary shoot 'em ups. I will not go into the details, just keep your mind open because everything is possible, and with this movie this is entirely the case. It's nice to see something different, even when it dares to be deep or mildly philosophical. (Your regular -90 I.Q.- Joe will be scratching his head ready to dismiss the whole show as mumbo jumbo- but for these folks there is always "The Animal" and "Scary Movie 2" so knock yourselves out people.) This film leaves other CGI movies such as Toy Story or Shrek coughing dust. Compared to "Final Fantasy", those previous efforts seem like crude Atari 2600 graphics. I am amazed. I am in awe. From the scope of the film to the dystopian and fantastic worlds to the art direction and design, "Final Fantasy" has surpassed anything I have ever seen before. Whether it's "Star Wars" or "Blade Runner", or even "2001: A Space Odyssey", I am convinced that the bar for all future science fiction films has been considerably raised. "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" is a tough act to follow. Square Pictures has become the Lucasfilm of the early 21st century.
Rating:
Summary: It's all right...but it could use a heck of an improvment!
Review: "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within"
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence
Featuring the voice talents of Meng-Na, Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, James Woods, Ving Rhames, Peri Gilpin and Steve Suscemi
106 minutes
Absolutly nowere near the perfection giant that is "Final Fantasy" the games, this lowered my expectations of a good film a lot. It's not a bad movie, but like the title of the reveiw said, it could've been much more. A big suprise for a product from Square. The story did seem original to me, though, because I don't watch that many sci-fi movies. However, it's never as satisfying as you'd like it to be . The story is kind of too odd, Gaia and spirits have no place here and the thing would just be too confusing for people like my parents. The characters are very well designed though, and Aki (Meng-Na (Mulan, E.R.)) is THE hottest woman that I have ever seen in a movie next to Cameron Diaz (Shrek, There's Something About Mary). The movie overall was very well acted, especially General Hein (James Woods (Disney's Hercules, Stuart Little 2, John Q.)) and Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland). However, like "Panic Room", this movie was more violent than I expected. A good part of the film is filled with seemingly endless (and mostly enessisary) violence. Overall, stick to the games of you're a fan of Squaresoft. As for everybody else, try it if you want to. As for me, I gotta play the games sometime and see what I'm missing.
Rating:
Summary: Almost...
Review: "Final Fantasy" is quite the technical achievement, and a very intriguing movie to watch. It plays to me like an Americanized anime complete with a male lead that looks like Ben Affleck (though with the voice of Alec Baldwin). It's an enjoyable viewing experience despite some iffy dialogue and some slow spots. But does the DVD live up to the film, breaking barriers and being a technological wonder? Well, not quite. Sure, there are plenty of extras here, but they're not that useful. Many of them simply involve looking at animatics or storyboards, something that seems pointless when you're dealing with an animated movie. It's animated, the whole thing is "drawn." Why do we need to see storyboards? Anyways, there's also the documentary, which seems lacking in many areas (not the least of which being the absolutely awful music that plays throughout it). There's almost no focus on the voice talent, and you never really get a sense of how this movie is made; it's a bunch of talking heads. Of course, this DVD comes on the heels of the outstanding "Phantom Menace" package, so I guess anything will seem lame by comparison. Then there's this editing feature, where you can shuffle a scene to your own liking. I couldn't understand how to do it, I don't know about you. When your DVD feature needs and instruction book, it's not a good feature, if you ask me. Then there's the picture quality, which I must say is rather lacking considering it's been taken directly from the digital source material. This is a grainy, sometimes downright dirty looking transfer that is outshined by many released culled from film prints. But, again, it is a technical marvel, a feast for the eyes, as they say. Just try to get it on sale.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet "Fantasy"
Review: "Final Fantasy-The Spirits Within"is one of the best and most underrated movies of 2001.It sets a new standard for animation,its charaters and landscapes looking incredibly indistinguishable from real life.While a lot of people(the moviegoing public addicted to tripe like American Pie 2 and Planet Of The Apes,that is) thought the story was weak and overfamiliar,I guess they have to think harder,look deeper, and find a earnest,hearfelt eco-spiritual message of love and compassion bereft from many of today's so called "blockbusters".Hopefully this splendid 2-disc set(featuring a fine documentary,storyboards,charater profiles,a FF "Thriller" video,and much more) will give this future classic the second life it deserves.
Rating: 
Summary: Though not without flaws, it's still a good film.
Review: "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" is the kind of movie that people with either love or hate. It is also considered as a testament to the idea that some films only belong on DVD and not in movie theaters. But while opinions are very mixed about this film, I really enjoyed it, despite its obvious flaws. The most noticable aspect of "Spirits Within" would undoubtedly be its graphics, and it's probably what this film will be remembered for. The visuals are amazing and stunning, and the characters are absolutely gorgeous, although they do sometimes move a little unnaturally. It was reported that the designers created Aki last so they could use all their experience on her, and it really shows. As Dash of TechTV said, "she's worth every megabyte." Speaking of characters, "Final Fantasy" game veterans might notice that some of the characters resemble characters from the games. Aki somewhat resembles Rinoa from "FFVIII", General Hein looks eerily like Seifer from "FFVIII", and the black soldier could be a double for Barret from "FFVII". But that's just me... The story is where the trouble starts. Many have complained that the plot is cliched, stale, and unoriginal, but that's not how I feel about it. While I must admit the story isn't terribly original, it's still an interesting story. It is a little confusing at first, especially at the end, but if you pay attention you will understand it. Some people have also complained that the movie has nothing to do with the games, but I disagree. The movie isn't based upon a particular "FF" game, but it does contain a key element: the Gaia. One of the binding links between all the "FF" games is a unifying force or power that holds the world together, and it's this element that makes sure "Spirits Within" isn't using the "FF" name as a crutch. The voice acting is another trouble spot. I will admit that Ming-na (Aki) sometimes faltered into a bland and forced mode of acting, as did Donald Sutherland (Doctor Sid), which made me cringe occasionally. But I will also say that James Woods gave an almost solid performance as General Heim and made him my favorite character of the movie. The rest of the voice actors were so-so, alternating between good and not-so-good. All in all, the voice-acting wasn't terrible, but they definately could've improved it. One minor note: occasionally, the voices did speak out of synch with the lips. It doesn't degrade the movie at all, but you can't help but notice it. To put it simply, "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" isn't for everyone. Some people love simplistic and occasionally cliched sci-fi storylines, while others loathe them and want something original. While this movie does break new ground for computer graphics, it unfortunately falls short in terms of execution. I can't reccommend it to anyone because the appeal of this movie is very difficult to pin down; you will just have to see it for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Great animation, but not satisfying enough overall.
Review: "Thumbs Down!" First off, I never like the video game, and still can't understand this movie! I get the plot, but I just don't understand it's point. Why 3-D animation? It works, and the animation is great, but it just flops with story, and is very slow moving in my opinion. I think the voice was terrible, and just to watch a video game in the movie theater makes me wonder what in the heck I'm doing... I thought it was going to be good, but it was just a big summer flop. Don't get excited over this entertainment loser.
Rating:
Summary: A must have if you are a Computer Graphic Artist / Animator.
Review: 'A must have' here means that this DVD version isn't just a reference of Complete Animation / Images. Well, that's also really help, but, you can also look to a half-complete 'behind the scene' film (but still playing full almost 2 hours), which is only from storyboard and a half-preview look from 3D software package (in this film, Maya's realtime preview). You can look from there, although just few seconds, how the related scene was made. In short, It's a great & complete 'study-case' CG film or any other animation that appear in most Squaresoft's Final Fantasy videogame or other title videogame. Just try sharing, as I'm also one of CG fans and a person who try learning & experimenting many CG things.
Hope helpful, please apologize that my english isn't really good. :)
Rating:
Summary: Simple Values - Spectacular Production
Review: 'Final Fantasy' is a computer game that has gone through countless versions and editions. Taken as a whole, this mythos is probably one of the best know games in its genre. It is clear from the beginning of this film that Sony and Hironbu Sakaguchi (producer, director, and writer) were intent on topping an already brilliant history of graphic accomplishments. In a sense, 'The Spirits Within' represents a piece of history in the making. It is the first film that presents a startling approximation of life using only automation. The plot is simple. An asteroid falling to earth carries within it a host of phantom creatures that seem hell bent on destroying earthly life. Civilization has been reduced to living in shielded enclaves, and it is only a matter of time before the planet becomes a haunted wasteland. Aki Ross and her mentor, Dr. Sid, are working on the creation of a neutralizing 'wave' based on the eight basic phantom life forms. General Hein does not trust Dr. Sid's theories about a Gaia, or planetary spirit, and wants to use a huge orbital laser cannon to destroy the original meteor, possible destroying the earth in the process. The conflict between these points of view and their shattering effects on the planet are the meat of the film. Captain Gray Edwards, once Aki's lover, crystallizes this struggle between the material world of violent reaction and the spiritual world of growth and synthesis. The film plays a bit like an evolved 'Starship Troopers.' In many ways, it presents the same visual image, and deals with the same issues. The problem for the director and the viewer is to get past the magnificent graphic work to experience the abiding spiritual faith that is its meaning. Ironically, the film itself is a metaphor for the issues it expresses. It is almost futile to discuss the film's animation and design. They are so far above what we are used to that the required superlatives sound trite. In essence, the animation staff set out to create something that is even more real than life, and to a great extent, they have succeeded. This hyperrealism, combined with an almost ballet like feeling of choreography create a sense of moment that makes this seem far more than an action film. The overall animation is carefully balanced so as to keep the focus on the characters. Even so, this film has such a sensory effect that the viewer is tempted to forget the plot and simply observe the screen. The primary DVD provides the film and a whole set of commentaries (directing crew, animation and staging, composer, and production staff), plus the usual trailers, etc. In the special edition, a second disk adds an extensive 'Making of...' segment, the entire screenplay and some analysis of character, vehicle, and prop design. Technically, this is an important film, despite its simplistic plot and characters. For the first time, the definition of what is acting and what is animation is being challenged in a thought provoking fashion.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Underrated and Underappreciated by Gamers...
Review: (*review of theatrical release*)
I was impressed very much with this work. I have a hard time with the criticism that I have heard about this film, especially from Final Fantasy fans. I admit it was far from perfect, but it was the best movie I've seen all summer. One thing some forget is that "Final Fantasy" has always been a concept, an excercise. The game series always changes in fudamentals with every new installment, ranging from traditional fantasy to "age-of-enlightenment/industrial revolution & magic" to hard-core sci-fi or an odd melange of all three. Why should the films be any different? I anxiously await the DVD release and the next VG installment as well. At least it has a plot more feasable than the last Star Wars flick (eeww!).
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