Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

Using computer animation to create an imaginary futuristic world, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, based on the popular series of video games, transports viewers to the year 2065. The film was released in 2001 and was directed by series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. It was one of the first computer animated films to use photorealism and other high-end technologies, including using one of the most advanced render farms available at the time; which consisted of 1000 workstations, 200 staff, and over four years to make.

The film received pretty poor critical reviews but many were amazed by the superior computer graphics. The film grossed $85 million but cost $137 million to make, which many consider a failure and the reason Square never really ventured into many more movies. The film stays at a steady 6.4 on IMDB.

Prologue

The earth is overrun with evil aliens who are determined to destroy the planet and obliterate humankind. Only one woman, Dr. Aki Ross (Ming-Na) can devise a plan to defeat the aliens, but she is dying from a fatal disease....

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