Yes, I was stunned by the trailers as probably everyone did, but I didn't expect the film to be that good. I mean, for the graphics and the action sequences alone it should be given 10 out of 10. (And yes I know the graphics are not ultra-realistic, a bit anime-ish, but that's because they decided to be true to the original looks of the game - so respect for that)
The one thing that bothers me though is that a lot of people won't understand the overall story. Now you should have in mind this is not a stand-alone movie, it's a sequel. So you should have played the game first, be familiar with the plot and all the characters (and the game mechanics too, the action in Advent Children revolves around the same rules and weapons). To really understand who and what Cephiroth, Cloud, Jenova, Lifestream, Aerith (the healing scenes in AC), the ghosts, the Materias (the glowing orbs they used in fights) are ... a 2-3 minute intro in the beginning of the movie is just not enough.
Fortunately/Unfortunately the Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children is a tribute to the fans of the game, that's even written in the start of it. It serves to give you some more time with your favorite characters, their world, to continue their stories, and as such is great.
Despite that - the dialogue/script is no way near that of the game - sadly it mostly sucks and is there so that we have something connecting the gorgeous and pretty lengthy action sequences...
So that's why in the end I rate it that way. Even though it is overall stunning, it pains me that in some aspects it doesn't live up to what it could've been ... and yet it wasn't as bad enough so that I wouldn't enjoy most of it. :]
7,5-8/10
The one thing that bothers me though is that a lot of people won't understand the overall story. Now you should have in mind this is not a stand-alone movie, it's a sequel. So you should have played the game first, be familiar with the plot and all the characters (and the game mechanics too, the action in Advent Children revolves around the same rules and weapons). To really understand who and what Cephiroth, Cloud, Jenova, Lifestream, Aerith (the healing scenes in AC), the ghosts, the Materias (the glowing orbs they used in fights) are ... a 2-3 minute intro in the beginning of the movie is just not enough.
Fortunately/Unfortunately the Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children is a tribute to the fans of the game, that's even written in the start of it. It serves to give you some more time with your favorite characters, their world, to continue their stories, and as such is great.
Despite that - the dialogue/script is no way near that of the game - sadly it mostly sucks and is there so that we have something connecting the gorgeous and pretty lengthy action sequences...
So that's why in the end I rate it that way. Even though it is overall stunning, it pains me that in some aspects it doesn't live up to what it could've been ... and yet it wasn't as bad enough so that I wouldn't enjoy most of it. :]
7,5-8/10