Advent Children

Genre: CG Animated Film Run Time: 100 minutes Developers: Square-Enix and Visual Works Formats: DVD, UMD Release Dates: JP - 9/14/05, NA - 4/25/06, EUR - TBA

The First of the Compilation
Advent Children is a CG Animated film set two years after Final Fantasy VII. It tells the rest of Cloud's story and introduces two new threats to the world: a mysterious disease known as Geostigma and three silver haired men striving to recreate the Jenova reunion. The film boasts impressive animation, detail, and is something of a landmark for Square-Enix.

Vincent's Role
Advent Children is mainly Cloud and Tifa's story, so it's no surprise that the other characters take a backseat in the film. Surprisingly, Vincent has a considerably large role compared to the others, who, sans Yuffie, were default characters in the original game. Throughout the film, Vincent gives useful advice, is a major moral support for Cloud, and even goes out on a limb to rescue friends and former enemies.

Back Story
Shortly after the end of Final Fantasy VII, Vincent is the first to take off. He spends his time in solitude, studying the world and the strange disease, Geostigma, and makes frequent visits to the Forgotten Capitol, Ajito. It is there that he discovers Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. He watches them closely as he begins to piece everything together.

In the Film
On one of Vincent's frequent visits to Ajito, he discovers an unconscious Cloud surrounded by Kadaj and his friends. Engulfed in his cape, Vincent swoops down to rescue Cloud and transport him to an area of the forest away from the silver haired men.

Now out of harms way, Cloud asks Vincent if he knows anything about what's been going on in the world. Vincent explains that he comes to the Forgotten Capitol often, so he has been watching Kadaj and his group closely. Knowing that Cloud is suffering from Geostigma, he makes a grab for his arm, causing the spiky haired blonde to wince in pain. After a while, Vincent lets go and informs Cloud of the connections, effects, and cause of the disease. Cloud is surprised by how well informed Vincent is, but the dark haired man makes no effort to explain how he discovered these secrets.

Changing the subject, Vincent tells Cloud that Elena and Tseng were brought to Ajito. They appeared to have undergone cruel torture after obtaining Jenova's neck and, although he did save their lives, he isn't sure if he did either one a favor. The two men further discuss the connection between Kadaj and Jenova when they hear rustling in the surrounding bushes.

To their surprise, Marlene comes racing out and wraps her arms around Cloud. Exasperated, Marlene expresses her worry for Tifa and Denzel's safety. Cloud searches for his cell phone to relieve Marlene of her fears, but realizes he must have dropped it during the fight with the silver haired men. Marlene turns to Vincent and asks him if he has one. When he moves his cape aside to show that he has none, she becomes disappointed. Cloud asks Vincent to take Marlene to Tifa's shop so that he can speak with the Shin-Ra, but he refuses. Marlene scolds Cloud and runs to Vincent's side where Vincent protectively wraps his cape around her.

Cloud tries to explain to Marlene that he must prepare for the fight, but she doesn't understand. Vincent knows that Cloud is using this as an excuse to avoid facing his fears. Cloud becomes lost in thought for a moment and finally asks Vincent if sins can be forgiven. Vincent has not tried this concept yet, and it is this reply that sparks an answer for Cloud -- he has to try.

Meanwhile, in Edge, Kadaj and his gang have gathered the infected children together. After preaching to the people who have gathered to watch, the silver haired men summon creatures, including the enormous Bahamut Shin, to attack the city. Tifa runs to protect Denzel as Barret, Cid, and the others fend off the beasts. Vincent enters the scene calmly and smoothly asks where the phone shop is. He and the others fight Bahamut Shin until Cloud arrives.

The enormous creature flies high into the sky and prepares to launch a devastating attack. In order to fight back with equal fury, Cloud jumps high into the air with each of his teammates giving him a boost. Vincent whispers "Fly!" as he aids Cloud in his ascension. Afterwards, he jumps down to join the others, who are watching Cloud, full of hope.

Cloud succeeds in defeating the summoned monster and gives chase to Kadaj. Near the ruins of Midgar, the two spar with one another. Everyone else watches closely from the Sierra, Cid's new airship. Yuffie, Barret, and the others, prepared to help, start to discuss where they'll land, but Vincent stops them. He explains that Kadaj is a manifestation of Sephiroth, and so it is Cloud's battle to fight. Tifa wonders if Cloud is aware of this, and Vincent hints that he is.

After a strenuous battle, Cloud finally defeats the manifestation of Sephiroth, freeing Kadaj. The party rejoices in the airship, but their joy is interrupted by an explosion where Cloud was standing. All gasp in horror, save for Vincent, who stands calmly with arms crossed.

For a moment, Cloud returns to the Lifestream where Aeris and Zack reside. The two know that it is not yet Cloud's time and return him to the planet. When Cloud awakens, he finds himself in the pool of water left by Aeris in the church, surrounded by his friends and the children of Edge. In his usual composed stance, Vincent watches with the others as Cloud begins the healing process.

Reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII
Included with the DVD, Reminiscence is a montage of crucial FF7 scenes. As a bonus, phone conversations that occur during Cloud's motorcycle trip in Advent Children are scattered throughout. One of these phone calls is made by Vincent, who was pressured by Yuffie to remind Cloud about the get together at Tifa's bar.

The following script is from FF Webnovel.
Cloud:	Hello.
Vincent:	A message from Yuffie. She wants you to go to Barret's place.
Cloud:	Ah, I'm heading there now.
Vincent:	...And tell Yuffie that this phone's mine. Don't phone me whenever you please.
Cloud:	Heh, understood.

At the very end of Advent Children, we are shown a group photo that was most likely taken at the party. In the back, Vincent stands in his usual position, his head looking at the camera from a slight angle. Even the reserved gunman likes to celebrate once in a while.

More Information
Official Site - Japan
Official Site - North America
Adventchildren.net
FF Webnovel
FlareGamer Article

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