Movie Review: Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

Final Fantasy (FF) has come a long way in showcasing its games, for each chapter in the series are stand-alone stories with distant settings and characters, but seem to show certain similarities in each one, which makes what Final Fantasy really is. With the upcoming game Final Fantasy XV (FFXV) by Square Enix (SE), that has been delayed numerous times and pushed back in its development for nearly a decade, we are finally be able to play it for real, as it releases in the 11^th of November this 2016.

photo from: squareportal.net

But before we dive into in what is already a game with inclusive content, the developers of SE has decided to release Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. Much has gone into making FFXV after years in development. Because of that, the game is being advertised unlike anything before. Throughout the years, multiple trailers as well as gameplay demos have shown the change in course of the game. Now nearing its release, SE has begun expanding the universe of Final Fantasy, by releasing a six-episode anime series titled Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV being developed by A1-Pictures, along with a feature-length CGI film based on the game itself which is Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV.


photo from: squareportal.net

Though this isn’t the first time SE has given us media other than their games. Films such as Final Fantasy: Advent Children has always been a favorite to many when it released back in 2006. And there’s Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within in 2001, which became the CGI first feature-film made in the franchise.

photo from: squareportal.net

Based on the synopsis, the plot is taken in the kingdom of Lucis, which is home to the last of the remaining crystals, and is at constant war with the empire of Niflheim who will stop at nothing to possess it. The crystals are legendary elemental objects and have appeared throughout every game in the FF series and have played key roles in some of it. King Regis commands an elite force of soldiers known as the Kingsglaive, which are able to wield the king’s magic. Overwhelmed by the last war, the king is forced to a truce, favoring Niflheim on the conditions that the kingdom relinquishes all lands outside the crown city of Insomnia, and that his son, Prince Noctis, marries the former princess of Tenebrae, Lunafreya, who is held captive by Niflheim. One of the Kingsglaive and the main protagonist, Nyx Ulric, is now taken into a battle for the survival of the kingdom.


photo from: squareportal.net

Personally, I only have a few nitpicks with this film which I’ll discuss later on, but overall it was a brilliant movie. The minute I first saw the trailers, I was already sold in seeing this film. Being able to achieve the level of photo-realistic CGI was just absolutely stunning, which sets the bar for CGI-animated films in the future. Each of the characters was animated seamlessly with their facial expressions down to very subtle movements which were really captivating. But what made the characters come to life was actually quite innovative. Each character is composed of three people: the model to portray the character, the person that will perform motion capture for the character, and the voice actor. And it worked pretty well, as most of the characters were great.


photo from: squareportal.net

Setting was simply beautiful as both lighting and shadows were highlighted perfectly with with vibrant colors. It was very fascinating how they depict the world having a combination of both modern and medieval times. Seeing the metropolis of Insomnia with cars and highways mixed in with the Knight-like garbs of the soldiers for both Niflheim and the Kingsglaives, was very appealing to see. And of course demons and magic are also present in the story, since it wouldn’t be Final Fantasy without it.

photo from: squareportal.net

But if there was anything I’ve enjoyed in this film the most would be the battle scenes. The first 12 minutes of this movie already gave an awesome bloodshed between the Glaives and the demons. And in true Final Fantasy fashion, they never let us down when it comes to the throw down of both the main protagonist and antagonist. Seeing those its gorgeous effects in all its glory, was just candy for the eyes.


photo from: squareportal.net

Down to my gripes about the film, there are only a few. Granted, with three people creating one character, flaws won’t go unnoticed. Aside from the model, having two different people do motion capture and voice acting would bound to have lapses, moments where the dialogue wasn’t consistent and sometimes unnatural with how the character delivers it. Though it's not that noticeable and some might not even see it, but it's still there. Lastly, some of the transition in this film was rather lacking in coherence. Like it felt like an unconventional way of shifting scenes. But of course as nitpicks go, they are more personal and does not devalue the film as a whole.


photo from: squareportal.net

Having the film release before the game somehow was a good introduction to the lore of the game’s universe, especially for people who have never experienced Final Fantasy before. But then again, this is a standalone movie. As the developers said, you can enjoy watching Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV without having to play the game Final Fantasy XV, and vice versa. “Experiencing both tales, however, ensures a deeper level of appreciation for them, as they are intended to complement one another.” And as the latest addition in the Final Fantasy universe, I can say Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is definitely one to remember and truly upholds being a fantasy based on reality.