Watch Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a 2001 computer-animated science-fiction film that takes place in the year 2065. It is a ground-breaking movie, having been the first feature film to use photorealistic computer-generated characters and environments without the use of motion capture. The movie is based on the popular video game franchise Final Fantasy, although the plot and the characters are entirely original to the film.

The movie is set on a devastated Earth, where the planet is overrun by alien phantoms, which are invisible to the naked eye. The phantoms are of alien origin, having arrived on Earth through a massive chunk of rock that crashed onto the planet 30 years ago. The story follows Dr. Aki Ross, a scientist whose life's work is finding a way to rid the world of the phantoms using an energy system known as the "Spirits Within."

Aki Ross, voiced by Ming-Na Wen, is a strong, capable female lead who represents hope in a world that's been destroyed. She's driven by her desire to save humanity and clearly communicates her intelligence, courage, and compassion. Aki is joined on her quest by her mentor, Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland), and her love interest, Captain Gray Edwards (Alec Baldwin).

Gray is part of a military group called the Deep Eyes, which is tasked with protecting the scientists working on the Spirits Within project. Gray is also haunted by his past, having faced the phantoms in battle during a traumatic incident that killed his entire squad. The character is voiced by Alec Baldwin, who brings a gravitas and charisma to the role.

The film's antagonist is General Hein, voiced by James Woods. He's the head of the military and believes the only way to stop the phantoms is to use a powerful weapon that will destroy everything on Earth, including the phantoms and remaining human life. General Hein isn't a cliché villain, however, as his actions are motivated by his desire to protect humanity, which he sees as being threatened by the phantoms.

The movie features an impressive cast of voice actors, with standout performances from Steve Buscemi as the wise-cracking Sparks, a weapons specialist who assists the team in their fight against the phantoms. Ving Rhames also makes an appearance as the no-nonsense Deep Eyes squad leader Ryan.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the incredible animation. The characters are rendered with a lifelike quality, and their movements are smooth and realistic. The environments are also stunningly rendered, with breathtaking landscapes and intricate details that add to the film's immersive quality.

Another standout feature of the movie is its score, which is composed by Elliot Goldenthal. The score features a mix of electronic and orchestral elements, which creates a haunting and ethereal quality that perfectly matches the film's otherworldly setting.

The themes of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within are timely and relevant, despite the movie having been released almost two decades ago. The film's message about the dangers of technology and the need for balance between scientific progress and nature still resonates today. The conflict between General Hein, who sees science as the key to victory, and Aki, who believes that nature must be respected, highlights this theme.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a groundbreaking film that defied expectations and set a high bar for computer-animated films. The movie is a stunning visual masterpiece that tells a thought-provoking story and boasts fantastic performances from its talented cast of voice actors.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a 2001 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 49.