Movie Review: Final Fantasy VII – Advent Children (SPOILERS)

(Editor’s note:

This movie is not to be confused with the theatrical release Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Advent Children is a sequel to the role-playing game Final Fantasy VII and does contain spoilers for the game. Due to the nature of the events of the story, this review will discuss critical details for the plots of both the game and the film.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is recommended, and probably accessible, only for fans of the source material, but players who enjoyed Final Fantasy VII and who are willing to make some compromises with regard to storytelling will find a lot to enjoy in this film. Viewers who dislike what they see as “Japanese animation’s way” of developing stories and characters, as a friend of mine puts it, will want to pass on this film. I would instead highly recommend watching The Secret World of Arrietty instead, as it’s infinitely easier to understand. It’s also an utterly fantastic movie in itself and a perfect recommendation for families.

Movie Review: Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is a terrifying and deeply emotional classic that is every bit as powerful for a first-time viewer in 2012 as it must have been in 1986. Relying on atmosphere and character relations over spectacle alone, Aliens nonetheless maintains a perfect balance of excitement, horror, and genuine compassion.

Movie Review: The Avengers (or Marvel Avengers Assemble)

How to even begin?  The Avengers is destined to be one of the standout pictures of 2012, and it easily ranks among the best films in the genre.  With a story that is simple enough to be easily understandable but complex enough to be thought-provoking, Joss Whedon does an astounding job of essentially telling half a dozen superhero stories at once.