We discuss the 2001 film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Hironobu Sakaguchi’s big bet on photorealistic animation. The bet failed and permanently stained his career, but the movie is actually a fascinating summation of his vision of Final Fantasy. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not really a Final Fantasy movie!

Kuja proves that all life will eventually choose destruction.

Zidane returns to the homeland that he forgot.

Vivi finally confronts Kuja for his crimes against all Black Mages.

Zidane deals with heartbreak by going to the Dark City to participate in the card game tournament.

Dagger confronts her mother at the Ancient Tree of Life.

Zidane's party travels to a continent with no mist, and learns the secret of the Black Mages.

The regent of Lindblum learns of Alexandria's weapon supplier, who comes from another continent.

The arcane armies of Alexandria launch an unprovoked attack on Cleyra.