Haven't had the interest to watch a JC movie for a long long time, but for some reason I was kinda hooked enough by the setting and premise of this movie to actually go to a cinema and watch it.
It's no secret that I was never a big fan of JC, especially his latter offerings. Watching this movie shows that I would still go for a movie regardless of whether I like or dislike the actors in it, as long as the movie holds enough weight on it's own.
Well, in this case I guess mystical plot + Indiana Jones style adventure + exotic locations + Chinese history/mythology = my RM 10 :-P
Having a rather low expectation before watching this movie, I was fairly surprised to find that it's actually done quite well. Some scenes are genuinely, decently (yes, pun really intended!) funny and some scenes are rather awe inspiring. Certain scenes of a boat is so cool I swear I must get one of those when I hit the Jackpot!
All in all, this movie proves (to me at least) that not all JC film sucks. Although this may look like yet another formulaic Indy-type flick, it's still memorable in it's own way, thanks to the beautifully imagined/realised final sequence. Aren't I the romantic type? Hehe.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children
After months of waiting, this direct-to-DVD CG movie sequel to one of the most popular RPG game in console history finally made it to the masses.
I was one of the many eager fans who couldn't wait to get my greasy little hands on it the moment it got released in Japan.
With some cash and the miracle of modern international courier service, I was able to get the DVD one day after the official release.
Given the fact that I am like one of the biggest Final Fantasy series fans around, as well as a CG lover, it should come as no surprise that I was carrying a very high expectation for this movie. The screen captures and numerous trailers released to entice us way before this movie got released only got me sweaty and heart burning with determination to get this movie NO MATTER WHAT.
Anyway back to the movie itself..
Somehow when I finally got to sit down and watch it, I was surprisingly calm and somewhat.. objective. For some reason I kept picking the flaws here and there, and seems as if I have got out of my previous fanboy trance.
First about the graphics, although they are one of the best around with all the super stylish designs and animation, they are still far from perfect. There are some places where the CG was made quite obviously fake. Maybe its just me, who has the knack for perfection, especially when it comes to simulating realism. I was a bit let down in this area as I was probably too confident of today's CG technology.
Next the story, while not bad, isn't really super good either. Maybe I was expecting the same degree of twists and turns in terms of plot development as seen in the original game, instead this movie has a rather straight forward plot.
On the positive side, there are some extremely crazy action sequences and as I have mentioned before, super cool art directions in terms of character (re-)design and animation.
I mean, just look at the main character Cloud himself, he's a freaking masterpiece work of art by himself, with his meticulously layered blonde hair and perfectly rendered facial features!
The same cool factor extends to other characters like Vincent, the three Silver Haired Men (or SHM as they are more popularly known in FF fandom) and Sephiroth. Especially Sephiroth and the SHM, they are both beautiful to look at and wickedly evil in such a way that I don't even mind them having the most silky and straight silver hair in the history of CG men.
Then there is the soundtrack, which in my opinion is quite nicely done. There are a number of re-composed music themes taken from the original game soundtrack as well as some new ones.
All in all, I still ended up liking this movie a lot, as it is evidently a labour of love from the creator and for the fans, regardless of whether this movie is perfect or not in any sense.
I for one am grateful that they even consider making this movie, as for most other non-fans the majority of the contents in this movie may not mean much at all, where else the fans who have played and immersed in the FF7 world of the original game would probably better appreciate the beauty this movie has to offer, and I'm glad that I am one of them.
I was one of the many eager fans who couldn't wait to get my greasy little hands on it the moment it got released in Japan.
With some cash and the miracle of modern international courier service, I was able to get the DVD one day after the official release.
Given the fact that I am like one of the biggest Final Fantasy series fans around, as well as a CG lover, it should come as no surprise that I was carrying a very high expectation for this movie. The screen captures and numerous trailers released to entice us way before this movie got released only got me sweaty and heart burning with determination to get this movie NO MATTER WHAT.
Anyway back to the movie itself..
Somehow when I finally got to sit down and watch it, I was surprisingly calm and somewhat.. objective. For some reason I kept picking the flaws here and there, and seems as if I have got out of my previous fanboy trance.
First about the graphics, although they are one of the best around with all the super stylish designs and animation, they are still far from perfect. There are some places where the CG was made quite obviously fake. Maybe its just me, who has the knack for perfection, especially when it comes to simulating realism. I was a bit let down in this area as I was probably too confident of today's CG technology.
Next the story, while not bad, isn't really super good either. Maybe I was expecting the same degree of twists and turns in terms of plot development as seen in the original game, instead this movie has a rather straight forward plot.
On the positive side, there are some extremely crazy action sequences and as I have mentioned before, super cool art directions in terms of character (re-)design and animation.
I mean, just look at the main character Cloud himself, he's a freaking masterpiece work of art by himself, with his meticulously layered blonde hair and perfectly rendered facial features!
The same cool factor extends to other characters like Vincent, the three Silver Haired Men (or SHM as they are more popularly known in FF fandom) and Sephiroth. Especially Sephiroth and the SHM, they are both beautiful to look at and wickedly evil in such a way that I don't even mind them having the most silky and straight silver hair in the history of CG men.
Then there is the soundtrack, which in my opinion is quite nicely done. There are a number of re-composed music themes taken from the original game soundtrack as well as some new ones.
All in all, I still ended up liking this movie a lot, as it is evidently a labour of love from the creator and for the fans, regardless of whether this movie is perfect or not in any sense.
I for one am grateful that they even consider making this movie, as for most other non-fans the majority of the contents in this movie may not mean much at all, where else the fans who have played and immersed in the FF7 world of the original game would probably better appreciate the beauty this movie has to offer, and I'm glad that I am one of them.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Prayers
I have to confess, I don't pray much, being the agnostic guy that I am. But when it comes to wishing for a peace of mind and a more meaningful life, I wouldn't hesitate twice to give my prayers to this Being of Higher Power that is residing in my heart.
Many many moons ago, I wrote a diary entry, listing down the things that I felt to me, are the hardest things to get in life.
Eight months ago, I sort of found the second hardest-to-get thing. Can't say for sure whether it is THE best one, but I think it is the best one so far.
Five days ago, my prayers for the first hardest-to-get 'thing' has finally been answered, or at least this is what I want to believe :-)
I don't know how long they are going to stay with me, but I do know eventually everything has an end.
What is important at this moment is now, and now I am complete.
Many many moons ago, I wrote a diary entry, listing down the things that I felt to me, are the hardest things to get in life.
Eight months ago, I sort of found the second hardest-to-get thing. Can't say for sure whether it is THE best one, but I think it is the best one so far.
Five days ago, my prayers for the first hardest-to-get 'thing' has finally been answered, or at least this is what I want to believe :-)
I don't know how long they are going to stay with me, but I do know eventually everything has an end.
What is important at this moment is now, and now I am complete.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Standpoint
Don't know why I had to write this entry, maybe just wanted to make the number of my diary entries to 45, cos 44 didn't sound too nice, lol. Well, at least this is not another movie review :-P
Anyway, have been kinda empty lately after coming back to KL. While I continue trying to be my good ol' cheerful carefree self, a lot of things around me seem to have gone for the worse.
Like the other night, one of my friend got so drunk on our night out and surprised me, cos I have never seen him in such a low state before. My guess is that he had problem in his relationship with his BF, probably broke up as hinted by what he wrote on his online profile. I never personally asked him about it, cos I'm never used to meddling in others' love affairs.
Relationships, relationships and relationships.. strings connecting each other are becoming as fragile as they can be, this is the world that I have came home to.
On the other hand, I'm seeing many new couples among some friends as well, which always make me green-eye envious! Lol, yea I hate being the loser, but of course I still wish my friends all the happiness and I'm sure they'll cherish what they have found, for we all know how many IRC "ASL", online profile clicking, club hopping and blind dates we had to go through during the search for Mr. Right.
For quite a few times, as I looked at some cute little kid running around, I was wondering to myself, how good would it be to have a proper wife and have an offspring of mine like that, maybe then life would be more meaningful than the countless dates and casual shags (ok, maybe this one is countable afterall, hehe) that I've been having all this while.
Life now for me is like a series of quick Happy Meals. And I don't even like fastfood all that much.
Anyway, have been kinda empty lately after coming back to KL. While I continue trying to be my good ol' cheerful carefree self, a lot of things around me seem to have gone for the worse.
Like the other night, one of my friend got so drunk on our night out and surprised me, cos I have never seen him in such a low state before. My guess is that he had problem in his relationship with his BF, probably broke up as hinted by what he wrote on his online profile. I never personally asked him about it, cos I'm never used to meddling in others' love affairs.
Relationships, relationships and relationships.. strings connecting each other are becoming as fragile as they can be, this is the world that I have came home to.
On the other hand, I'm seeing many new couples among some friends as well, which always make me green-eye envious! Lol, yea I hate being the loser, but of course I still wish my friends all the happiness and I'm sure they'll cherish what they have found, for we all know how many IRC "ASL", online profile clicking, club hopping and blind dates we had to go through during the search for Mr. Right.
For quite a few times, as I looked at some cute little kid running around, I was wondering to myself, how good would it be to have a proper wife and have an offspring of mine like that, maybe then life would be more meaningful than the countless dates and casual shags (ok, maybe this one is countable afterall, hehe) that I've been having all this while.
Life now for me is like a series of quick Happy Meals. And I don't even like fastfood all that much.
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