'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within'

Mikometer Rating: 8 of 10

With the release of 'Final Fantasy' the line between reality and computer imaging gets blurred considerably. This is the first time a film has been made with not only realistic looking landscapes, but realistic looking people, and the result is almost as fantastic and incredible as I had imagined. I say almost, because even though the movie looks tremendous, it simply lacks a soul. It is like the video games from which the animation sprang. The characters move as if they are in a videogame, and the weapons and speeding vehicles pay testimony to their origins. The "plot" such as it is, concerns aliens who are "lost in space" on Earth. Because they suck the life out of every human in their vicinity, the people of Earth think they are at war. They aren't really, but that doesn't stop them from trying to either find the secret of the universe, or blow the meteor which brought the aliens to Earth back to Kingdom Come.
Oh, and try to cure the alien cancer in Dr. Aki's breast.
Dr. Aki Ross is a digital Sigourney Weaver, right out of Alien. We meet her in her dreams, and she is beautiful. Can you fall in love with a cartoon? Move over Betty Boop. This one is a honey. The filmmakers have been quoted saying they want her to star in another movie, this time as a different character. She is the first fully functional "Synthespian". This is a benchmark for the movie, but for all the digital wizardry, 'Final Fantasy' really doesn't have a center, and this almost, but not quite, ruins the positive aspects of the animation.
Even the animation seems bland in spots. I guess I was prepared to be awed more, and was disappointed because I wasn't. The scenes of destruction are well done, but the scenes set inside the protected "New New York" reminded me of Gerry Andersen's marionettes. When two characters are walking down a hallway, it doesn't seem as if their feet are even touching the floor. Computer generated beings still don't have "heft". They might look realistic, but don't seem to be. Something is wrong with their reality.
All the vocal talent tries hard. The mouths match the words. But the words are largely cliched. I was reminded of Aliens II every time the group of commandos were shown together.
This is a landmark film I had hoped would be better. Alas, I had an epiphany about this film months before it came out, and because of this, I felt rather disappointed in the actual experience.
It will probably be noted that this is the first time "Synthespians" are utilized, and I'm sure the technique will only get better. Watching Dr. Sid, who uses Donald Sutherland's voice, but otherwise doesn't resemble him, is like watching reality. His beard bristles. His eyes blink and dilate. Sweat falls from his brow. Squint and he could be Sean Connery. This is the Final Fantasy as far as computer animation has come. At least until next year. It took the team of animators four years to complete 'Fantasy', and the results are satisfying, if not magnificent.
I recommend it for it's technology, but the plot workings are hackneyed, and the characterizations are somewhat bland. Dr. Aki Ross is to die for, however, and watching her is a worthwhile experience.

02/02 Addendum: The DVD has been out for some time now, and I haven't seen fit to rent it. So I guess the fact that the plot is weak, the themes nonexistant, and the movie forgettable means that no matter how cutting edge the cooking is, it's the dish that gives flavor to the meal, and this was just lackluster fare all around. Perhaps Aki will get together with Jar Jar Binks for a remake of some classic Preston Sturges comedy. One can only wish.

'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within' PG-13
Ming-Na: Dr. Aki Ross
Alec Baldwin: Capt. Gray Edwards
Ving Rhames: Ryan
Steve Buscemi: Neil
Peri Gilpin: Jane
Donald Sutherland: Dr. Sid
James Woods Gen. Hein

Columbia Pictures and Square Pictures present a Chris Lee and Square Co. Ltd. production, released by Sony Pictures. Director Hironobu Sakaguchi. Co-director Moto Sakakibara. Producer Jun Aida, Chris Lee, Hironobu Sakaguchi. Screenplay by Al Reinert, Jeff Vintar, based on an original story by Hironobu Sakaguchi. Editor Christopher S. Capp. Music Elliot Goldenthal. Casting and voice director Jack Fletcher. Animation director Andy Jones. Computer graphics supervisor Gary Mundell. Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes.

Review written and copyrighted 2001 by Michael F. Nyiri