'Final Fantasy' not just a computer-generated feast

Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta

Many will be curious to see Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within for its unique technicality.

Some will find it a mesmerizing technical achievement since they will be thinking, how many bytes were used to create such accurate human mimicry and movement? Others will find it simply unconvincing, as the computer-generated images still do not quite pass muster as the real thing.

However, those seeking real human emotions in a film with no real humans present will likely be impressed.

Beside its breakthrough technicality, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within still cares a great deal about the story.

Not that the film's post-apocalyptic plot, involving the battle between humans and alien forces, is something fresh, but the film succeeds in making its viewers care about its characters.

By way of comparison, the film is much more interesting than the disappointing Tomb Raider, which was also based on a best- selling video game.

While Tomb Raider only relies on gorgeous sets and Anjelina Jolie clad in short shorts and tight tank tops, Final Fantasy succeeds in creating an eerie atmosphere and compelling story- telling to make the film work.

Furthermore, while Tomb Raider is an action film full of uninspiring battle scenes (and the much-hyped, so-called bungee ballet), Final Fantasy poses as glum science fiction, like Blade Runner and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

The film tells the story of a devastated Earth in 2065, 35 years after a meteorite carrying alien forces has crashed onto the planet.

The Alien forces, dubbed as "phantoms", are entities that assume various forms, initially unseen by naked eyes, and are capable of killing humans by snatching their spirits.

The remaining humans isolate themselves from the outside world in cities protected by shields that the phantoms are unable to penetrate.

Since the aliens seem to grow stronger and stronger, the human race faces the danger of extinction.

The government has finished building a powerful weapon known as the Zeus cannon, which they believe will be able to destroy the phantoms.

However, Dr. Aki Ross (voiced by Ming-Na) and her mentor Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland) believe that the use of the cannon, while not yet proved to be able to kill phantoms, is likely to kill the spirit of the Earth and destroy the planet.

Since the government does not buy the theory, Dr. Aki Ross and Dr. Sid, along with a band of soldiers, have to save the Earth by themselves.

Meanwhile, Dr. Aki Ross is privy to a secret about herself that may be the key to success in their attempt.

There is less dialogue in the film compared with recent computer-animated releases such as Shrek. However, this fits perfectly the film's moody atmosphere.

It is also a delight to listen to the vocal talents of respectable actors such as Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Steve Buschemi and James Woods, without being annoyed by their familiar faces.

Good movies always make the audience identify aspects of the story with their own personal experience.

Call me sentimental, but when I watched the film, I got the distinct impression that it could be seen as an analogy of the current situation, following the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Each side involved does not help the situation at all by being panic-stricken, which results in worldwide paranoia.

Should we destroy the planet if what we want is justice?

INBOX: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, *** out of four stars Animation/Action/Sci-Fi, 105 minutes Voices by Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Steve Buschemi, Donald Sutherland, Peri Gilpin, James Woods Directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, Motonori Sakakibara A Columbia Pictures Presentation