Nerd in Another City

Final Fantasy has been around since I was a kid. And while I’ve never been big into gaming, I’ve always been peripherally aware of the franchise. I remember seeing a trailer in the late 80’s for one and being enchanted by the other wordly graphics. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. So when I was offered the chance to screen this film, I took it!

What struck me about the world of Kingsglaive was how it manages to ground itself both in reality and fantasy. the city of Lucis is littered with halls and throne rooms, with grand costumes and magical foes. But also with highways and an Audi and cartoons on the TV. It felt like a Prius drove through a scene on Game of Thrones. At first it was a jarring transition since I’ve never seen anything like this. But that element of the unexpected helped to give Kingsglaive a completely unique feeling. In a world saturated with dystopian stories, this felt fresh and different. It’s not a dystopian universe, it’s a world all it’s own. If Game of Thrones and Call of Duty had a little CGI baby, it would be this film.

Final Fantasy brought in some serious heavy hitters to voice the characters in this film. Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) as Lunafreya, who is NOT Regis’ daughter. Hahaha, laughing at myself here cause, I’m not sure what happened when I was watching, but totally thought she was. Apparently I wasn’t paying very close attention. In my defense, there was a crying baby in the room. For a much more comprehensive synopsis…Google it! 😉 Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as Nyx, a member of the Kingsglaive who is sent on a mission to protect Lunafreya and ends up going on a journey all his own. And the incomparable Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings) as King Regis, the King of Lucis who is stuck in the impossible position of making peace and protecting his people.

Here’s the gist, the magical realm of Lucis is under attack, not only from other worldly beasts, but also from forces sent by Niflheim and Tenebrae. In an effort to create a treaty between warring worlds, Lunafreya travels to Lucis to marry Prince Noctis and broker peace. The Kingsglaive are the protectors of the realm and are charged with fulfilling the King’s orders.

I found that as I watched this movie, I really didn’t need to have everything explained or make sense. At times I really didn’t know what was happening. But it was the characters that kept it interesting for me and made me want to keep watching. Especially the character of Libertus, a member of the Kinsglaive and friend to Nyx, who after learning of his friend and fellow Glaive member, Crowe’s death, begins to question the actions of his King and even flirts with traitors.

***SPOLER ALERT*****My favorite part of all was the use of Sean Bean’s voice. It immediately gave me something familiar to latch on to and pull me into the world of Lucis, Niflheim and Tenebrae (even without me really knowing what was going on.) He should be used in all the things, but please stop killing Sean Bean!!!

Take a look at the trailer and give this film a try. It’s a bold and different project and is worth a watch. It’s in theaters now.