Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)

The original cut of VII's sequel has some key differences from its complete incarnation that are absolutely essential to both my enjoyment of the film itself and my appreciation of Cloud’s efforts, overall. Complete lends a sense of destiny to the proceedings, to the benefit of some viewers and the detriment of others. It also changes Rufus’s monologue, which, here, has the same tonal resonance as the Oracle’s in Matrix Revolutions. My only lament is that I’m forced to switch audio tracks during the Super Burly Brawl. George Newbern is a gangrenous thumb in an otherwise stellar English-language cast (Hi Rachael <3).

There is much more herein than the requisite (glorious) fan-service. It surpasses the game, but they are of course completely dependent on one another.

4½ Pools of Crazy Water out of 5

Nutted by NEG.