Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season [Blu-Ray] Starring Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman

Customer Reviews & Opinions

One of SMALLVILLE’s best seasons in years
Except for a major stutter in mid-season, Season 8 of SMALLVILLE has been the best in several years. The major problem with the show had long been the continuing gap between it and the traditional Superman mythology. It was OK for this to happen for a while it was dealing with Clark’s high school days, but after awhile they simply needed to get on with the story. We’ve always known how it was going to end. Or at least where a number of things would inevitably end up. Lana would go away and Lois would take her place. Clark would learn to fly. He would become a superhero and embrace his destiny. But for several years, while the show remained enjoyable, it felt more like the show was running in place than telling a story. Season 8 went a long way to correcting this. For instance, things really started heating up between Clark and Lois, and they turned out to far more chemistry than we had been given reason in previous seasons to hope. In fact, I enjoyed few things in Season 8 as much as the scenes between the two of them. And increasingly the show was brought in line with DC mythology. In fact, the current producers have promised that the 9th season will move even closer to Superman. And all I can say is, it’s about time.

As if to prove all this, the one real glitch in Season 8 came with the return of Lana in midseason. The series had been moving along marvelously, with one delightful twist after another, all to come to a crashing halt when Lana came back to SMALLVILLE. Mind you, I like Kristin Kreuk and think she is one of the cutest women in the world, but the whole Clark and Lana story got old a very long time ago and it was time to move on, not time to prolong it a bit longer. Lana’s goodbye in Season 7 should have been for good. Worst of all, when Lana came back, Lois went away. One of the most regrettable tings about Season 8 is that Erica Durance, despite being an opening credits character, was in fact only a halftime cast member. I didn’t count precisely, but my guess is that she was actually only in about half of the season’s episodes. For the show to move forward in Season 9, that needs to change. They need to pull out their pocketbooks and pay Erica Durance for twenty-two episodes. Hopefully they have realized this on their own.

Season 8 saw a number of other DC additions. We got additional tastes of the JLA in embryo. We got Clark fully embracing a dual identity, as Clark on the one hand the Red-Blue Streak on the other, even wearing something of a uniform in the combo of his red or blue T-shirt and blue or red windbreaker. He works at the Daily Planet as a reporter, sitting right beside Lois. And he confronts during the course of the season one of the greatest Superman nemeses, Doomsday, who bears the distinction of having killed Superman in the comics. Sharing the body of Davis Bloome, Doomsday remains somewhat under control, but when he becomes pure beast in the finale, he is pretty fearsome indeed. For so long the show seems afraid to embrace the fact that this whole thing was about the Boy Who Becomes Superman. Now that it is finally coming to terms with that, it has gotten better.

I’m more excited about SMALLVILLE moving into Season 9 than I have in a long, long time. With things between Lois and Clark becoming what it was supposed to be, with the show moving closer to the DC mythology (with one staggering exception, the death - or at least the apparent death - of a Superman universe staple), and with the new producers seemingly unafraid to move the story to new places, the show at this late date seems to be revitalized and full of purpose once again. Even though Season Eight did not end on the kind of huge cliffhanger it has in the previous seven ones, but a sad, somber one, most things will inevitably go back to normal, or SMALLVILLE’s version of normal, early in Season 9.

8
In my opinion season eight is one of the best seasons of the smallville series.

Lana bites the dust

Kara departs forever

Lex gets blown to bits

Oliver is discovered having difficulties in deciphering the dichotomy of good and evil

Jimmy tries to take on doomsday single handedly

Chloe finds herself in a very precarious position with the doomsday character

Clark faces a new threat in Doomsday. Smallville does an excellent job of the doomsday character

Tom Welling IS Superman, why doesn’t WB see this?
As a fan of Smallville since day one and as a fan of Superman since 1959, I am pleased that Tom Welling is Clark Kent. However, he deserves to be not only the small screens Clark Kent but also the big screens “Superman”. For some reason Warner Brothers can’t seem to see that Tom Welling can say more with his facial expressions than most actors say with their whole acting abilities. You actually feel his surprise, joy, pain and loneliness by just looking into his eyes.

This series is wonderful. They have played with the DC comic line but mostly in good ways. If they would have been completely in line with the comics, Lana would marry Pete Ross. Clark’s parents would have been much older. Clark would be flying instead of running at super-speed. He would have telescopic vision. The Fortress of Solitude would be in the side of an ice-berg and he would have to open the door with a giant golden key. The Martian Man-Hunter would be green. There would be many more differences. I admit that the majority of changes are done well.

Season eight is a good season with some story changing additions, especially with the two who die at the end of the season. Neither follow the comic book, at least in the way one died and the fact that the other died at all. I enjoyed this season as I have every season and I will buy this season on Blu-Ray to add to my collection. I only wish that the CW Network would broadcast their shows in HD in our area. The only way we can watch it in High Def is to buy the Blu-Ray DVD or wait for it to come to HD Net.

If you like the Superman Story then buy this season. I am sure you will enjoy it. I’m afraid that with CW moving Smallville to Friday night this coming season that it will be the “KISS OF DEATH” to the series. It will be sad to see the show end and it will be sadly missed once it is gone. Thanks to all the great actors of SMALLVILLE and keep up the good work as long as they keep you on the air. Lt. Robert T. Jeffcoat, Sr.

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Fargo [Blu-ray] starring Larry Brandenburg, Steve Buscemi, Bruce Campbell, Gary Houston, Warren Keith

Product Description
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/12/2009 Run time: 125 minutes Rating: Pg

Why Buy A Fargo [Blu-ray] starring Larry Brandenburg, Steve Buscemi, Bruce Campbell, Gary Houston, Warren Keith?
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/12/2009 Run time: 125 minutes Rating: Pg

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My Bloody Valentine 3D [Blu-ray] starring Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue, Edi Gathegi

Why Buy A My Bloody Valentine 3D [Blu-ray] starring Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue, Edi Gathegi?
Though never a landmark in the slasher subgenre, the Canadian-made My Bloody Valentine (1981) was a favorite among gorehounds for its plentiful scenes of bloodshed; the 2009 remake sticks closely to the original in this respect, and ups the gross factor by rendering many of them in impressive 3-D. The core plot, penned by Todd Farmer and Zane Smith, remains essentially the same–a series of gruesome murders appears to be linked to a terrible mine accident from two decades ago–but just as with the original, its largely just a framework on which to string the carnage set pieces, which are splattery enough to please even the most jaded Saw or Hostel fanatic. The Real-D effects deliver the required degree of heart-stopping jumps without the usual eye strain, and if one can snicker away old standbys like a tree branch crashing through a windshield, one has to admire the chutzpah of presenting actress Betsey Rues pursuit of a wayward bed partner while fully naked and toting a shotgun in full and vibrant 3-D, moments before the pickaxe-wielding killer descends upon her. Rues scenery-chewing performance is the best of the twenty-something cast, which is led by Supernaturals Jensen Ackles and Jaime King; character actors Kevin Tighe and Tom Atkins deliver their moments like the old pros they are. Though by no means a new horror classic, My Bloody Valentine 3-D sets the gross-out bar for all future slasher remakes to surpass. — Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Awsome Horror!! Great Gore…All in All A+
First I would like to start off by saying this movie was really good. Even better since I saw it in the theatres in digital 3D. Wow oh Wow to that!

I am sick and tired of people always leaving bad reviews for horror movies only because they are remakes and they believe it is horrible. That is the only reason why people allow themselves to hate good horror because most horror movies anymore are remakes. STOP IDIOTS!!!

This movie to me was full of good acting and not predictable to me, because let me say sorry, I haven’t seen the original. So that didn’t ruin it for me! I love the Saw movie like surprise ending to it. The many ways people died in the movie…I will admit they happened before in other horror movies, but the way it happened was just totally great!

Like many people say…”oh this wasn’t scary”. It always depends on how jumpy you are and how your nerves are and how easily you get scared at things. So if you are not scared easily, you may think the movie reaks of horrible movie flick. If you scare easily…you will jump alot to this movie, like I did.

Possible mini type spoilers below…They don’t really give anything away though…so go right ahead!!!

Like every horror movie though…You will feel sad for one person…glad another died…they stay sterotypical and only allow two people to live…and….Make sure you watch the whole entire disc…by that I mean there is a surprise after the credits.

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Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray] starring Underworld 3pak

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Blade meets The Crow and The Matrix in Underworld, a hybrid thriller that rewrites the rulebook on werewolves and vampires. Its a cuisinart movie (blend a lot of familiar ideas and hope something interesting happens) in which immortal vampire death dealers wage an ancient war against Lycans (werewolves), whove got centuries of revenge–and some rather ambitious genetic experiments–on their lycanthropic agenda. Given his preoccupation with gloomy architecture (mostly filmed in Budapest, Hungary), frenetic mayhem and gothic costuming, its no surprise that first-time director Len Wiseman gained experience in TV commercials and the art departments of Godzilla, Men in Black, and Independence Day. His work is all surface, no substance, filled with derivative, grand-scale action as conflicted vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale, who later became engaged to Wiseman) struggles to rescue an ill-fated human (Scott Speedman) from Lycan transformation. Its great looking all the way, and a guaranteed treat for horror buffs, who will eagerly dissect its many strengths and weaknesses. –Jeff Shannon

 

Underworld: Evolution
Better action, a bit of sex, and gorier R-rated violence make Underworld: Evolution a reasonably satisfying sequel to 2003s surprise hit Underworld. Looking stunning as ever in her black leather battle gear, Kate Beckinsale is every goth guys fantasy as Selene, the vampire death dealer whos now fighting to stop the release of the original Lycan werewolf, William (Brian Steele) from the prison thats held him for centuries. As we learn from the films action-packed prologue, William and his brother Marcus (Tony Curran) began the bloodline of vampires and werewolves, and after witnessing centuries of warfare between them, their immortal father Corvinus (Derek Jacobi) now seeks Selene and the human vampire/lycan hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) to put an end to the war perpetuated by Victor (Bill Nighy), the vampire warrior whose betrayal of Selene turns Underworld: Evolution into an epic tale of familial revenge. This ambitious attempt at Shakespearean horror is compromised by a script (by Danny McBride and returning director Len Wiseman, Beckinsales real-life husband) thats more confusing than it needs to be, with too many characters and not enough storytelling detail to flesh them all out. Aspiring to greatness and falling well short of that goal, Underworld: Evolution succeeds instead as a full-throttle action/horror thriller, with enough swordplay, gunplay, and CGI monsters to justify the continuation of the Underworld franchise. If youre an established fan, this is a must-see movie; if not, well… at least its better than Van Helsing! –Jeff Shannon

 

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

This prequel to Len Wiseman’s Underworld and Underworld: Evolution is distinctively different, especially minus the nimble vampire warrior star, Selene (Kate Beckinsale). Underworld: Rise of the Lycans takes its cues from the vampire/werewolf battles that occur in the other films, but director Patrick Tatopoulos focuses here on the young werewolf Lucians (Michael Sheen) rise to leadership. Rise of the Lycans is set mostly within the walls of vampire lord Viktor’s (Bill Nighy) castle, so the film’s silver, black, and blue palette reflects a world happening under moonlight. From the outset, when Viktor brings Lucian, the first werewolf, into the world, this villainous bloodsucker’s daughter, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), is smitten with Lucian’s hairy appearance and instinctual intelligence. As years pass, Lucian grows tired of watching his race suffer slavery and imprisonment, and recruits a human named Raze (Kevin Grevioux) to assist rebellion. This archetypal plot is not so riveting, and what carries Underworld: Rise of the Lycans are the battle scenes between vampires and werewolves, which are excitingly fast-paced and brutal. The whole film adopts a medieval battlefield aesthetic that carries an otherwise clichéd story about illicit love and freedom fighting. Some characters, like the traitor vampire Tannis (Steven Mackintosh), also intrigues throughout, as one guesses who he will ally with. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans may not be the finest film in the werewolf and vampire archives independently, but its mixed monstrosity makes it unique and entertaining, especially on a big screen. –Trinie Dalton 

Why Buy A Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray] starring Underworld 3pak?
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Customer Reviews & Opinions

Includes Extended Cut for Underworld
This trilogy set includes the Underworld: Extended Edition. Why make a seperate cut just for the box set (I don’t think they did)? I think it’s safe to say it is identical to the already released Underworld Unrated Extended edition that’s out on bluray.

So if you already have the other titles, no need to buy a box set that’s basically just packaging them all together.

But if you only saw one of the movies and liked it, you definately need to see the rest.

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Gran Torino (+ Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray] starring Clint Eastwood, Brian Haley, Christopher Carley, Geraldine Hughes

Why Buy A Gran Torino (+ Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray] starring Clint Eastwood, Brian Haley, Christopher Carley, Geraldine Hughes?
Clint Eastwoods Gran Torino, an unassuming picture shot during a post-production lull on his elaborate period piece Changeling, was quietly rolled out at Christmastime 2008, whereupon it proceeded to blow away all the Oscar-bait behemoths at the box office and win its 78-year-old star the best reviews of his acting career. Both film and performance are consummately sly–coming on with deceptive simplicity, only to evolve into something complex, powerful, and surprisingly tender. Just as Unforgiven was a tragic reflection on Eastwoods legacy in the Western genre, Gran Torino caps and eloquently critiques the urban heritage of Dirty Harry and his violent brethren. And on top of that, the movie becomes a savvy meditation on America in a particular historical moment, racially, economically, spiritually. Call it a state of the union message. But call it that with a wry grin.

The latest Dirty Harry is actually a grumpy Walt: Walt Kowalski (Eastwood playing his own age), widower, Korean War veteran, retired auto worker, and the last white resident of his Detroit side street. Its hard to say who irks him more–his blood kin (a pretty lame bunch) or the Hmong families who are his new neighbors. Kowalskis a racist, because it has never occurred to him he shouldnt be. Besides, thats the flipside of the mutual ethnic baiting that serves as coin of affection for him and his working-class buddies. Circumstances–and two young people next door, the feisty Sue (Ahney Her) and her conflicted brother Thao (Bee Vang)–contrive to involve Walt with a new community, and anoint him as its hero after he turns his big guns on some ruffians. The trajectory of this may surprise you–several times over. Eastwood opted to film in economically blighted Detroit–a shrewd decision, but its his mapping of Walts world in that classical style of his that really counts. Every incidental corner of lawn, porch, and basement comes to matter–and by all means the workshop/garage that houses the mint-condition Gran Torino which Walt helped build in a more prosperous era. This is a remarkable movie. –Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Everyone who sees it will CRY!!!
Fitting end to a great American actor’s big screen career. This movie takes you on a rollercoaster ride of deeply personal emotions and will make you CRY to see how it ends!!! ANY movie than can do that, most certainly deserves FIVE STARS!!!

A fond fairwell to Eastwood!
Gran Torino is a movie you must see. Clint Eastwood’s performance as Walt is his best work as an actor in years. In fact, this might be the last time we see him in a leading role. Sure he was belligerent, prejudice, judgmental, and even racist, but it’s part of what makes his character interesting. He’s brilliant and imposing, shocking and so over the top he’s often funny. This is the Clint Eastwood we all remember in a perfect, and possibly final, performance. He’s riding off into the sunset in typical Eastwood fashion, snarling, growling, and spitt’n blood!

You will love it or hate it, there is no in between
Good movie all around. By now you know what it is about. People will hate it or love it because of Walt’s colorful use of language. You know what, he hates everyone. He has no prejudice in his life, he just doesnt like anyone. Big difference. He has a name for everyone, even his friends so I personally dont see a racist here, just an old guy that speaks his mind.

Well done movie. Enjoy it for what it is.

Clint’s near masterpiece
I was shocked that the Academy virtually ignored this fine film and heaped praise upon the over-rated “Slumdog Millionaire” when this film explores the important issues of assimiliation and gang violence as well as “Slumdog” did but with so much more power. If Eastwood is implying that this is “farewell” movie than he couldn’t choose better one to sign off on. Yet as one reviewer stated you could nit-pick that neighborhood Clint’s character lives in is basically Africain American but doesn’t deflate what the movie is about. Eastwood’s Walt Kowalski is probably one of the most complex and ambiguous character that he has ever played. No wonder that the National Board of Review voted him “Best Actor of the Year”—-and this is from a nation-wide survey of critics across the country. Like another perennial Oscar best actor loser, Peter O’Toole, Clint may just have to accept a “Achievement Award” from the Academy. Anyway, shame on you Academy–it’s really about politics and not about quality since how can an Italian comedian (Roberto Benigi) win for the atrocious “Life is Beautiful” (probably thanks to the Weinstein’s constant promotion).

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24: Season Seven [Blu-ray] starring Kiefer Sutherland

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Stills from 24: Season Seven [Blu-ray] (Click for larger image)

Why Buy A 24: Season Seven [Blu-ray] starring Kiefer Sutherland?

Stills from 24: Season Seven [Blu-ray] (Click for larger image)

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Tony
24 has been one of the best shows on TV since it started in 2000. Season one thru 5 was incredible, but season six was not up to par with the rest of them. Then came season seven!!!!

Right from the word ‘go’ this season has been a rollercoaster ride. Unbelievable action, suspense and drama. Season seven is just as good as season one thru 5, may be even better. I can’t wait for the blue ray version of the show, and the price guarantee really works. Go for it!

You don’t know Jack!!

Possibly the greatest Television Show in history, and one of the best Seasons yet!
As a long time fan of 24, I have seen the show through its high and low moments. After the success of the award winning season 5 to the disaster that was season 6, many critics and fans wondered if 24 had any life left in it. Well when the writer’s strike hit, it gave this show the extra time it needed to make Season 7 the best yet. Currently as of this review I can say from what has aired on television that from Episode 1 to Episode 20 it has lived up to the hype.

Even though I am currently watching this television show on the air, I still plan on having a 24 season 7 marathon with my friends by re-watching Season 7 from Hour 1 down to Hour 24 when this blu-ray is released. Not to mention the extras, commentary, and behind the scenes footage that is included in this Blu-Ray release is just icing on the cake.

If you are looking for action, good story telling, drama, thrills, twists and turns then this is for you. Even if you are a first time 24 viewer, this season can still be enjoyed without having to watch the other seasons. However, you will appreciate the show and characters much more if you view all the other seasons.

Please FOX release Season 1-6 on Blu-Ray, so I and many like me can watch 24 in glorious high definition.

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly [Blu-ray] starring Chelo Alonso, Silvana Bacci, Mario Brega, Antonio Casas, Lee Van Cleef

Product Description
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/12/2009 Rating: R

Why Buy A The Good, the Bad and the Ugly [Blu-ray] starring Chelo Alonso, Silvana Bacci, Mario Brega, Antonio Casas, Lee Van Cleef?
Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/12/2009 Rating: R

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Great Edition
This is the best edition of GBU that I have seen so far. I do not agree with the reviewer that complained about the absence of grain due to DNR. For me it looked sufficiently grainy and I could not see any DNR artifacts (on a 1080p plasma screen). There is some minor problem with the film’s sprocket hole registration, meaning that the picture is shifting slightly in steady shots. This can be attributed to the 40 year old film technology, but it could have been corrected during the restoration.

The language and subtitle options are awesome, even the two audio commentaries, by Schickel and Frayling, have subtitles. I still have to take the time to enjoy the commentary by Frayling, which is new to this edition. The Schickel commentary was already on the 2 disk DVD edition from a few years back.

And, as mentioned by others, the cover states incorrectly a running time of 161 minutes, when it is in fact 2:58h (178 minutes).

A great blu ray release of the Sergio Leone classic with a wealth of extras and a brand new commentary!!!
Okay,THIS “IS” THE EXTENDED VERSION!(clocking in at 2 hrs 58 min and 41 sec),NOT THE 161 MIN CUT AS STATED ON THE BACK OF THE DVD ARTWORK,THAT’S A TYPO! The PQ is as good as you’re gonna get with this masterpiece,yes its a bit grainy,but that’s the way Leone shot the film! There are 8 different language choices!!!(including English 5.1 DTS and original English mono,plus Italian,German,French,Spanish,Portuguese,and Thai) All the great extras seem to be ported from the stellar 2-DVD set as well,also included is a brand new audio commentary from Christopher Frayling,of course the Richard Schickel commenatary in included as well! This is great Blu Ray release from Fox!!! Very Recommended!!! A+

THE GOOD BAD AND THE UGLY IN HI DEF BLU RAY
I just finished watching my blu ray dvd of the good bad and the ugly………..well its not in 1080p……but they did add missing scenes……and the 7.1 surround sound really works nice on my home theater……..over all if you love westerns……..this is about the best copy you will find of this great classsic….its most certainly a keeper

Wonderful new Frayling commentary and impressive transfer
Don’t miss Christopher Frayling’s terrific commentary which is packed with production information and incisive observations. Particularly touching is the way Frayling takes up for Leone’s decision to humanize Tuco, pointing out that this movie, far from a straight shoot-em-up, shows Leone coming of age. (This part of the commentary is during the great scene where Tuco meets his brother.) Frayling makes a few errors that are a bit surprising… in particular, Eastwood says “sure” rather than “pshaw” in a key exchange that Frayling gets wrong… but his love for this movie comes through resoundingly. This is one of the best commentaries I’ve heard. And the transfer, despite whatever DNR was applied, looks very detailed, film-like, and beautiful. Take it from somebody who has seen the movie over a hundred times… this Blu-ray is worth getting!

Awesome blu ray
This is an amazing movie that is extremely clear and and fun to watch on blu ray. This is a must buy for blu ray aficionados. You can see Eli Wallach’s excellent facial expressions even clearer than before. People have said that the picture is too soft, but from my own experience the picture is perfect from an average viewing distance. The image does seem a little soft if you sit inches away from the screen, but it is crystal clear otherwise. The sound is also very nice and makes good use of the 5.1 setup. Don’t let the negative reviews sway you, this is a must buy.

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Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete [Blu-ray] starring Final Fantasy 7-Advent Children Complete

Why Buy A Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete [Blu-ray] starring Final Fantasy 7-Advent Children Complete?
Continuing the storyline based on the hit Playstation® game Final Fantasy VII, two years have passed since the ruins of Midgar stand as a testament to the sacrifices made in order to bring peace. However, the world will soon face a new menace. A mysterious illness is spreading fast. Old enemies are astir. And Cloud, who walked away from the life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again . . .

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Magnificently Surpasses the Theatrical Cut!
As a rabid fan of FF7 I had eagerly awaited the release of Advent Children in theaters and when that didn’t happen (except for a single screening in Hollywood) I eagerly awaited the DVD. When it finally was released I tore open the packaging and started the disc spinning and to my disappointment I was only mildly diverted. There was something missing. Yeah my favorite characters were there, the battle scenes (while difficult to follow) were dynamic and epic, and it all looked pretty. But the soul of my FF7 experience was missing. So I shrugged, chalked it up to over-anticipation, and played through the game again to get my fix.

Then Final Fantasy Advent Children Complete was announced. Skeptical but hopeful at the idea of 30 extra minutes I sought out more information. There wasn’t much to be had except the odd trailer here and there. Then I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the April 16 Japanese release.

I was blown away.

Advent Children Complete is everything the original cut should have been and so much more. The 30 additional minutes not only add depth and soul to the story but improve the pacing and the structure overall. The characters have room to breathe, the humor is well timed, the action is breathtaking, and the 1080p resolution must be seen to be believed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, because of this release I’m buying a PS3 so that I can purchase the American Version when it is released this summer (plus of course FF13!).

This is the Final Fantasy movie we all have been waiting for!

Complete?
I have read that the June 2nd release date IS for the Complete Edition. Just a little FYI.

Sweet
What i want to know if this is the the one that comes with the FFXIII Demo. They said that the japanese version would have a demo and I really want a demo. I hope this is bc i would totally buy it..

Advent Finally Gets the Treatment It Deserves
About the Film:

I followed Advent Children closely from the first time it was announced some time in 2004. I am a die-hard Final Fantasy fan, and although I would have preferred the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time (Final Fantasy VII) to be, well, a game, I was delighted to see the story continued in a medium with slightly more widespread appeal. Although the writers made an effort to allow this movie to stand on its own, people who have played the game (and remember the plot and characters) will certainly get considerably more out of it.

About This Release:

In production since about 2006, this version of the film, subtitled “Complete” is the Japanese equivalent of a director’s cut. In addition to a new high-definition transfer of the film several scenes have been extended or reworked and new scenes have been added to further round out the story and provide more visual flash. It may not seem like much while watching it, but in total the film has been extended by fully a third taking it from 90 minutes to 2 hours running time.

Visuals:

Although excellent, I have to say I was expecting more from the High-Definition release of this movie. My first misgiving is with the inconsistent visual quality. The newly added scenes are generally presented with the kind of sharp visual detail that HD enthsiasts have come to expect. The older scenes, while clearly providing more detail than the DVD release, are missing the clarity that true HD material is capable of, often appearing fuzzy or out of focus. It is not generally noticeable, but it does become an obvious annoyance in a couple of scenes. Arguably this could have been done on purpose, adding a “fuzzy” filter for ambiance, but I doubt they would have intentionally added upscaling artifacts which are present in this film. The most notable instance I can recall is during Tifa’s scenes, particularly in the church; the aliasing on her hair is more reminiscent of a DVD being upscaled to 1080p than of a new render done in 1080p.

Little touches have been added to further “sell” the quasi-realism that this film is striving to achieve. During battles characters’ faces get dirty, during one scene flecks of dust in the air created little shimmers.

Story:

While the same story is being told, the added/extended scenes and to an extent the visual enhancements do add a different slant on the plot of Advent Children. While the main points of the story remain unchanged, the plot is made clearer and certain elements which seemed random or unimportant take on new meaning.

[Spoiler alert!]

For example, during a scene a girl carrying a stuffed moogle comes up to Denzel and holds out her hand for him to follow. In the original DVD release, this is really all we see of her, but in the “Complete” release we get to see an earlier scene that reveals she is really trying to make an apology to Denzel for being rude before.

Denzel plays a much more prominent role in this version. It was never clear to me what it was that Cloud was so busy doing before I saw this release, but in this version it is revealed that he was out looking for a cure to the Geostigma so he could help Denzel.

In the DVD release, the Geostigma seemed like little more than a charcoal colored rash that slowly killed people. In this version it is much more sinister, causing sores that ooze sticky black sludge and induces violent convulsions and vomiting of the same black sludge.

[End spoilers]

I’ll leave the spoilers at that, but I’ve only revealed a couple of the dozen or so plot augmentations that this version of the film brings to the table. Most of them gave me that “Ooooh that’s what they meant. I get it now.” feeling. Maybe I’m just slow, but a lot of these things weren’t obvious to me in the film’s original presentation.

Sound:

This film really benefits from the expanded HD audio - more so if you have the equipment to properly decode the newer HD audio formats, but even when down sampled to Dolby Digital, the sound is richer and has much fewer compression artifacts. Some of the music has been remixed slightly and it seems like I heard one or two additional compositions. Many of the songs were written to lock in with certain scenes, and when the scenes were extended, so was the music. I was very impressed with how seamless it all seemed.

Voice acting is one of those things, like pizza toppings, that nobody seems to be able to agree on. I have never been terribly picky about voice acting, but since everyone is different I’ll attempt to provide some frame of reference for my opinion. My idea of poor voice acting is the Devil May Cry anime, and my idea of good voice acting is Cowboy Bebop. I think the voice acting is superb in Advent Children. I was particularly delighted to hear the voices chosen for the ancillary characters like Barret, Cait Sith, Red XIII, Yufie, Vincent and Cid. But the actors chosen for main characters Cloud, and Tifa were very good matches for what I imagined the characters from the game would sound.

Extras:

This review is of the Japanese release, and frankly I did not really care enough about the extras to check them out. I watched them once when the DVD release came out and can’t be bothered to do it again. This does come with an additional animated “episode” about Denzel. For those of you who want to know absolutely everything there is to know about how a movie was made, you will not be disappointed with the depth.

For me the real attraction in the extras was the inclusion of the Final Fantasy XIII playable demo. Since the PS3 is region free, the Japanese release is very import friendly. (If you don’t mind that it is all in Japanese) The U.S. release mentions a Final Fantasy XIII “preview”. I don’t know if that means that it will be a demo, or an extended trailer. It would be a shame if it was the latter.

Final Thoughts:

I wish all “director’s cut” releases could enhance the original presentation as well as Advent Children Complete does. The extra footage catapulted this already great movie firmly into the category of awesome. If you didn’t enjoy the first release because you just didn’t “get it” then this release may be just what you need to put the pieces together as many of the more vague areas of the plot are clarified. If you loved the first one, then you’ll love this one even more. About the only thing it is missing is the ability to watch the original release version of the film. Personally that isn’t an issue for me but it would have been a nice addition.

Although this review is for the Japanese release, I doubt much will change in the final U.S. version. My reasoning is that the the DVD release was nearly identical for the two territories, and there are only two months between Blu-ray releases.

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Stargate SG-1, longest running sci-fi series in hisotry.
In my opinion, it’s the greatest show on earth. Bar-none. I love all 10 seasons of SG-1 and all 5 seasons of Atlantis. I also happen to own every movie and season that exists. I cannot wait till its released on BD. that will make a massive contribution to my Blu Ray collection. much anticipated.

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