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Reviews
Fainaru fantajî sebun adobento chirudoren (2005)
In Complete Awe
I have anticipated this movie since I read the review of it being in production. I'm a big Square Fan because of Final Fantasy 7 and it made me look forward to other titles made by the company. I must say that I was very satisfied with what I've seen. If this movie had taken the place of Spirits Within in 2001 it would've been a smash hit in my opinion.
The continuation of the story was beautifully done. The visuals, plot, music, and action were all greatly executed. One of the main things I love about this movie is that they inputed all the Final Fantasy familiarities we all know and love which was great to say the least. In my book, it's the best 3D Rendered Anime to date. Once again, Square has done a great job and has given us a reason to love FF7 even more.
Well, aside from the great things about this movie there were some things that I would like to address. Even though the story and the action were great, there still were some hiccups and plot holes. I really would've liked to have seen more of the other FF7 characters. They didn't have much part in the movie accept for Vincent who graced us with his presence early. Plus, we didn't get a chance to see materia use much at all. It also would've been nice to learn more about Cloud living at the orphanage with the children and about the source of Geostigma. Also, I would've liked to have learned how the main villains surfaced and, moreover, how they were connected to the Sephiroth himself. That is what still puzzled me. To me this stuff isn't a very big deal especially if you are a Final Fantasy 7 fan, because you can still at least appreciate the effort. That's all I really have to say for this movie. Still one of the best anime I've seen thus far.
Tekken (1998)
Informative, but Poorly Done
I was really disappointed and mad after I watched this movie. My expectations were too high. The beginning of the movie was the best part because it was giving the information of the story. Beyond that it started to decline more and more. The thing that really made me mad was why show characters from Tekken 3 at the opening credits if they weren't in the rest of the movie. That's just stupid in my eyes. Once the tournament started, what happened with all the characters? Yoshimitsu, Marshall Law, Paul Phoenix, King, Armor King, all were seen and didn't show them throughout the tournament. Everyone had a story to tell in that game, but they only centered it on Jun and Kazuya. They only thing that was a plus was that it was filled in some of the blanks on Tekken 2 between the two of them. Lee Chaolan was just an idiot on the movie. I understand that in game story he was obsessed about controlling the Mishima Zaibatsu, but he would never go as far to kill himself and and destroy the company so no one else would get it. He's not that insane.
Overall, the movie really let me down. Like I said before the only thing that was good was the information. At least now we know that how Jin came to be born. I just wish we could've learned more about the other characters. That's the only thing that was wrong about the movie. Hopefully, if they do another movie they would get it right, but that's only going on hope.
Purple Rain (1984)
I Saw This Movie For What It Is
I've recently went back and watched this movie again from not seeing it in years. When I first seen the movie I was too young to understand what the movie was about. Now that I've seen it again I couldn't believe what I've missed all these years. For me being able to see movies for what they are, I think that this movie was great. Most people feel as though the music are the best part, but I don't think that's true. Most people don't realize how good the story is because it's judge by the acting. The truth of the matter is that no one in the movie were really trying to act rather they were just being themselves. The entire main cast were just playing themselves. They weren't trying to be anyone else, but themselves.
I've actually watched and analyzed the work and effort put into the movie. Now from my perspective, the situations shown in the movie are pretty much based on what actually went on musically in Minneapolis at the time and it's most of the things that happen are actually true events that happened in Prince's career and who can tell it better than him? The music that was coming from the city at the time was starting to be recognized and be revolutionary. It was interesting to see how the music was very influential mainly at the club "First Avenue & 7th St Entry" where in fact Prince, among other musicians, got their career started. It's also a known fact that Prince and Morris Day always had a competition with each other in real life, but it was a friendly competition. They were always friends. So the story basically plays off of that competition aspect of their rivalry rather than their friendship which shows the true competitive side of what occurred at club "First Avenue" for it's time.
Another reason why this movie is good is due to the fact that some of the situations that occur in the movie are actually based on events that Prince has gone through in his life with the music aspect and the personal. To me, this made the movie more realistic as far as the emotion because he's telling his trials and tribulations pre-superstardom. Plus, his dedication he puts into his performances is phenomenal. Prince made sure that every moment in the movie was done perfectly. Anytime you hear a song play in the movie it's in perfect sync with the situation at hand.
Prince is in all a musical genius and he has proved it on many occasions. This movie is what really put Prince on the map officially and he hasn't slowed down since. Anyone who has watched this movie or still (unbelieveably) hasn't watched it yet, when you sit down and view this film you have have to watch it with intellect or you will miss the whole aspect of the movie. If you really love music this is definitely the movie to watch. Above what anyone else says I think it's a great movie to watch and own.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Action, Horror, and Humor
It's very rare to combine action, horror, and humor in one movie, but somehow they pulled it off. I'm still wondering how Mike Epps go t a part in this movie. It's not that he made it worse, but to me he actually made it better. It's amazing no matter what movie you put him in he still acts hilariously ignorant. Had me laughing with every scene he was in. This film was better equipped with horror than the first one was. There were some parts where it was really surprising. Mostly it was in the school. But the did better with the suspense. The action was good, too. I was actually surprised. The action scenes were good and at least this time there's a reason why she's such a gun expert and good fighter. The first one became too unrealistic with the dog scene. Overall, the movie was good. The whole movie pretty much held my interest and is was worth watching. Kudos
Ong-Bak (2003)
True Martial Artist
This is the type of martial arts film that I've been dreaming of for the longest of times. By far one of the best action movies of the century. I have much respect for Tony Jaa because he really defines absolute perfection in the art. I have seen past movies with the use of Muay Thai Boxing and it doesn't compare to the time and effort of Ong Bak. Also the storyline was interesting as well. At first when I read the premise it seemed a little predictable, but after watching it the plot seemed more exciting. Tony Jaa's use of Muay Thai was very unique as well as traditional due to the fact that it's his own variation of the art yet he still follows the old tradition use in ancient times. Really spectacular movie and action.
Kung fu (2004)
Hilarious form Start to Finish
This is definitely one of the best Asian Comedies I've seen in a while. They have successfully surpassed Shaolin Soccer with flying colors. Stephen Chow is a very unique individual to come up with a concept like this for the traditional Kung Fu style cinema. When I seen this movie I really didn't know what to expect. Just when you think that you would figure the movie out it would just turn another direction and amaze you. The fact that the action sequences were amazing yet funny was what was so attention grasping. I can't remember a time during the movie where I didn't laugh. It's not easy to integrate humor with fighting sequences, but they pull it off perfectly. My hat is off to this movie and it's creators. My 5 bucks were well spent because I got more than what I bargained for.
Street Fighter (1994)
Two things this movie got right.
You know this is one of those movies you saw when you were a kid and you thought it was cool just because it was Street Fighter and you grow and up and watch it again and you're like, "I liked this movie?" The movie wasn't well done to say the least. It sorta played off of that feel when Street Fighter II game was first released that Guile was the lead character. But the way that they had all of the characters set up was just an insult to the game. Ryu and Ken being street hustlers, Chun-Li being a news reporter, E. Honda and Balrog as her news crew, DeeJay as Bison's lacky, and Sagat being old and short. What really killed it was when the fight started with Ryu and Vega and he did that sorry-ass Hadou-ken which was nothing but a camera flash. The whole plot just screwed the movie up. The only things that the movie got right was Zangief and Vega. Zangief was a big, brainless brute who indeed did work for Bison. The guy they had to play Vega fit his entire profile. He was a pretty boy and he had the fighting techniques from the game down somewhat. The only difference with Vega was that he didn't have any dialogue and he didn't get all hysterical when he burned his face. It just really puzzles me to know if CAPCOM had any say in the making of this movie at all.