Friday, October 21, 2005

Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart
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The good: will make you emotional
The bad: sad for me

In the final scene, the guy proposes marriage to the girl. They’re only in junior high. Best damn romantic story ever!

I remember the cheesy love flicks I’ve watched over the years. They all seem to succeed in either making you puke, or making you fall asleep. Sure, some of the better ones make you laugh (50 First Dates), some make you actually cry (The Notebook), but what about a story which really hits you in the heart, as it should? Perhaps most will cringe at the idea that where realistically-portrayed love stories failed, an anime starring barely-adolescent kids succeeds.

And yes, Whisper of the Heart, another legendary offering from the geniuses at Studio Ghibli, will make you smile, make you cry, and most of all, make you think…deeply. If you look past the colorful visuals and the classic doe-eyed nature of the characters, you’ll realize just what the hell it is I’m blabbering about.

Hollywood? They got nothing on this. At its very heart, Whisper is the anti-thesis of Hollywood conventions. In a crucially unforgettable scene later on, the parents of the main female character confronts her as she seems to be getting into a lot of trouble in school lately. She confesses her devotion to writing as the reason for her lack of scholarly attention. We expect a loud sermon from her parents; instead they calmly accept her choice and tell her the importance of balance. Unthinkable.

It is sad that most will ignore Whisper of the Heart. It is sadder still to think that few will ever share the emotions delivered through this beauty of a film. If you happen to encounter it, don’t make the mistake of ignoring it. (5/5)


Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
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The good: possibly everything
The bad: we want more!!!

After the disaster that was Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, fans of the beloved, long-running RPG franchise were left to believe that their favorite alternate fantastical universe will never again grace the big screen. But lo and behold, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children has arrived and if you have even the slightest inclination for the series (oh who am I kidding, I mean everybody!!), then go pick up, steal, borrow (I don’t care) a copy and be ready to be amazed. Trust me, your breath will be taken away.

Picking up where the anti-climactic end of FFVII left off, we find ourselves once again in the half-destroyed city of Midgar. Cloud and the gang have set off their ways whilst the world they inhabit have been stricken with what is called “Geo-stigma”, an aftereffect of the clash between the world’s life force and the comet summoned by Sephiroth (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then sorry. More later). There seems to be no cure for the disease which even our hero Cloud is afflicted of. The folks from Shinra: Reno, Rude, and even Rufus (yes, he’s alive), have turned to the good side and have approached Cloud for a commission work. It seems that a new trio of a group has emerged and hell bent on reclaiming “Mother” – or the severed head of Jenovah, from which Sephiroth was created.

Now before I go on and on about the good stuff, notice that much of the plot is better suited to those who have experienced FFVII. If you’re a complete stranger to the storyline, much of the story will be lost on you. In truth, this is the only real flaw of the film.

However, no film has ever come close to the massive visual spectacle featured in this film. Think The Matrix on overdrive and you’ll get a sense of the coolness of Advent. Swords clash at blistering speeds, characters fight seemingly in hyperspace, and the choreography has got to be one of the best in the biz. All the while we’re treated to a visual grandeur which would put FF: Spirits Within, or any other CG-rendered flick, to shame. Once you see the freckles on Cloud’s face, man, you’ll be astounded. Guaranteed.

Some will argue the overabundance of action to dialogue. And while on paper, this cannot be denied, we have to realize that while there is indeed a shortage in the dialogue department, what little is presented is supremely relevant and coherent to the overall story. What isn’t told in words are expressed in symbolisms (note the cellphone which drops in the pool of water). We are reminded that this is a Japanese film, and not is all as they seem.

I cannot express in words how much I appreciate this film. It is a masterpiece, no doubt about that. And I can’t think of any future film which can even come close to his magnificence. From the visuals, to the sizzling-hot fight scenes, back to the treat that is the FFVVII goodies (all the main characters are here, and yes, Sephiroth too), and on to the satisfying emotional drama behind it all, Advent Children is not just a work of art, it is art all by itself. A sequel can’t come soon enough. (5/5)