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Feature Presentation:
With continuous delays of the North American release, the awesome game to movie to DVD release sequel of Final Fantasy VII is now in stores. It supposed to be release at the same time as the Japanese release, but, well, things happens. It might not be as exciting as the Japanese release, which I want to note that they got a limited edition box set, here we have just a two-disc set. The story hits off two years after the ending of the PlayStation game Final Fantasy VII, back in Midgar. Everyone is getting their lives back in order, but things aren't going so well. For some unknown reasons, peoples are stuck with a mysterious illness. Our famous hero, Cloud, seem to be living in a lonely life, in a way, blaming himself to fail to protect the one he cares about, running away from his past. However, he is called back into action from new enemies that wanted to start the "Reunion". With the help of his friends, he was able to overcome & face the new threat & finally bring true peace. Thought, you really don't have to play the original game to get the basic story line, but to get to know the characters, it's a good idea. If you have played the game, you will see familiar areas & hears familiar music. It has lots of actions, the fighting scenes makes you want to drool over.
Video:
Sony Pictures did a great job releasing this movie on DVD. If you got a Widescreen TV, you're going to enjoy this even more. Fully rendered in CGI, you can't get any better then this. There is no sign of watermarked, everything is left as it is from the original Japanese release, except the addition of the English cast & crew for the North American release. Also, the ending credits is not right after the movie, it's on a different track. The only thing that bites, just before the movie is played, you get the FBI warning, which you can't skip or anything. Usually, I prefer them at the beginning when you load the disc.
Dubbing: English:
The English dubbing is well done. Sony Pictures took the chance to bring in some famous voice actors of the Anime world, while others take back their roles (especially Cloud & Aeris) from the dubbing PS2 Kingdom Hearts. However, there are some part, if you look closely, it doesn't sync well. It's about 80% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system, I can't really say much.
Audio XX: English 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". INo problem found. By the way, the English track is not the default track.
Audio 02: Japanese 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system, I can't really say much.
Audio XX: Japanese 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". No problem found. The Japanese track is the default audio track when you first load the movie.
Subtitle:
There are actually eight subtitles, which included the usual English & French. All the subtitles track is in big yellow ones, which is a bit kinda ugly, except for the Korean, Thai, Mandarin, which are in white. There is no subtitle track just for Japanese signs except if to turn any subtitles on if you watch the dubbed version. It's also strange to see no close-caption subtitles for the hearing impaired. The ending credits, as it's a Japanese theme, there is no subtitle for that as well.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, but if got just a regular full screen TV, it will display in that format with no problem. The menu is made from clips throughout the movie, with the Jenova's theme song playing in the background. There is the "Play", "Screen Access", "Set Up" & "Reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII", which is the extra part on this disc.
DVD Extras:
With the huge delays on this release, everyone was hoping there will be tons of extras like the Japanese releases, but it's not as good as everyone hope. Since it's a two-disc set release, the first main disc as the Reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII, which is a total summary of the FFVII game key moments with music in the background. It's kinda cool for peoples who haven't play the game or not for a very long time. It's a bit annoying to see it's a Japanese version of the game with subtitles. On the second disc, this is where all the goodies are. There is the usual trailers & deleted scenes, but also got the making of this movie, too. There is the original preview of the movie during the Venice Film Festival Footage included, along with games based of the FFVII game, too.
Packaging:
The packaging is pretty cool, not as fancy as one hoped for. On the cover, you see Cloud with his motorcycle, along with a hint of Sephiroth. On the back, there is many screenshots, but a very small summary. There isn't any insert, just some ads. On the DVD discs itself, both of them have Cloud & Sephiroth.
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. However, like on the TV, it seems that the images is a little fuzzy, like it has static, when you look closely at it. The sound is just great. The movie is place on one single track as you play the movie, so loading time is really small. You can fast forward to the first to the last screen with one move on your mouse!
Overall DVD Rating:
If you have played the game, this is a great addition. See your favorites characters once again in action. It's a fitting sequel for this awesome game.
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