ACTIVELY BEING IRRESPONSIBLE

The most anticipated video of the year among hardcore gamers is out! FF VII (the game) came out in the year 1997 for Sony's Playstation™ and it surged up the charts to become one of the most memorable and beloved RPG game ever produced by Square Enix (Squaresoft back then).

You can get the movie either in the form of UMD (optical discs playable in Sony's PSP™) or DVD. Which one did I view? None. The only version that is out is the Japan only version. Being a typical Malaysian, I couldn't wait for the North American release and went to download a fan-subbed version found on the net. Alright, I 'fess up, I am a cheapo. Now on to the review!

The story takes place 2 years after Cloud and his friends defeated Sephiroth in a final battle that saw the planet's hidden energies, called Lifestream, stopped an earth-shattering meteorite summoned from space in the game. Everybody was supposed to live happiy ever after. Or so they all say.

Humans living on the now shattered planet began their long aching journey of recuperation. Cities were rebuilt, although they have left their old capital Midgar alone. But people were overcome with sadness. The Geostigma Symndrome. Even Cloud is affected by it, generating pain whenever he does battle using his inhuman speed, prowess and strength (to wield that freaking huge sword of his).


Hoorah to CG and big boobs! Tifa Lockhart on the phone

Tifa (friend of Cloud's, secret admirer) and the rest of the troop were leading separate lives and it was at the height of the spread of the myterious epidemic that 3 mysterious figures showed up. Kadaj, their leader, was going around intimidating people while looking for his 'Mother'. Of course, the 'Mother' that he was looking for was somehow related to the origins of Sephiroth and Cloud's existence. Project JENOVA. An inevitable clash is about to happen.


More sword than you can shake your stick at

Interestingly, Square Enix decides that this show is made in such a way that if you did not play the game (or at least hear your friends talking about it), it will be hard for a viewer to understand. There are some flashbacks and story telling involved but given the nature of confusing Japanese thinking, it only served to confuse the not-so-initiated viewer. There's very little talking in the first place to begin with.


...and one large Super Supreme. Make it pronto!

For the hardcore gamers however, this is THE show that you must watch this year. It will bring back memories of that fondly game we played back in 1997 during our younger years. Apart from the mind blowing CG, the viewer will be on the edge of his seat trying to consume the information presented (while trying hard to recall the 8 year old game) and be awed by the immensely complicated and seemingly unreal(but well choreographed) battles using swords, guns and *drools* big-ass cybercycles.

Watch this if you played the game. Watch this if you didn't play the game but you loved Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (FF:TSW). Watch this if you don't understand FF:TSW but you loved Aki Ross and the CG.

*There will be a surprise near the end as Square Enix rediscovers its roots at the art of making really scary and powerful villians that send chills down your spines.


Estuan Interius Iras Ne Vehementi!