Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

A scientist makes a last stand on Earth with the help of a ragtag team of soldiers against an invasion of alien phantoms.

Directors:

Hironobu Sakaguchi, Motonori Sakakibara (co-director)

Writers:

Hironobu Sakaguchi (story), Al Reinert

Stars:

Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Ming-Na Wen

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ming-Na Wen	...	Doctor Aki Ross (voice) (as Ming-Na)
Alec Baldwin	...	Captain Gray Edwards (voice)
Ving Rhames	...	Ryan (voice)
Steve Buscemi	...	Neil (voice)
Peri Gilpin	...	Jane (voice)
Donald Sutherland	...	Dr. Sid (voice)
James Woods	...	General Hein (voice)
Keith David	...	Council Member #1 (voice)
Jean Simmons	...	Council Member #2 (voice)
Matt McKenzie	...	Major Elliot (voice)
John DeMita	...	BCR Soldier #1 / Space Station Technician #2 / Additional Voices (voice)
Matt Adler	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Steve Alterman	...	Additional Voices (voice)
David Arnott	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Cathy Cavadini	...	Additional Voices (voice) (as Catherine Cavadini)

Storyline

In the year 2065, the next great assault against an invading race of phantom-like aliens is about to be launched. Dr. Aki Ross, a brilliant young scientist, races to find the invaders' secrets, not only to save the planet, but herself as well after her body is infected by alien particles. She teams up with the prestigious Deep Eyes military squadron, led by her old friend Grey Edwards. But as Aki, her mentor Dr. Sid, and Grey work toward a peaceful end, the scheming General Hein devises a plot to eradicate the aliens in one swift, destructive blow...even if it destroys the Earth right along with them.

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Plot Keywords:

based on video game | motion capture | profanity | weapons fire | scientist | 

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Taglines:

Enter a new dimension, beyond all you imagine, where fantasy becomes reality.

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Final Fantasy

Box Office

Budget:

$137,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,408,853, 15 July 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$32,131,830, 26 August 2001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$85,131,830

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chris Lee Productions,Square Company,Square USA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (Digital DTS Sound) Dolby SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The day and month shown after Aki's first dream (13 December) is director Hironobu Sakaguchi's wife's birthday.

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Goofs

After Aki removes the phantom particles from Gray, she picks up a canister that's hovering in the air, when she originally placed it on the table further away.

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Quotes

[Grey's last words to Aki Ross]
Grey: I love you.

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Alternate Versions

An alternate opening for the film was animated but never used. This opening scene occurs shortly after the the meteor containing the alien phantoms lands on Earth. Three scientists approach the crater to investigate and one of them is killed by the unseen phantoms. This alternate opening can be viewed on the special edition DVD.

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Connections

Referenced in Hello, He Lied & Other Truths from the Hollywood Trenches (2002)

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Soundtracks

Spirit Dreams Inside
Written by Hyde (as hyde)
English Translation by Lynne Hobday
Performed by L'Arc-en-Ciel (as L'Arc'en'Ciel)
Produced and Arranged by L'Arc-en-Ciel (as L'Arc'en'Ciel) and Hajime Okano
Courtesy of Ki/oon Records, a Group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

User Reviews

Fantastic

This film is a dream come true for any science fiction fan. Unfortunately, this film was not as popular as it truly deserved to be. It shows how powerful the media can be when it comes to squelching a foreign (in this case Japanese) film. It is by far the best computer animation ever to be shown. If only the American computer animators could be this good! I was really sorry they took the film out of the theaters so soon... before the general public had a chance to really enjoy this film on the wide screen.