Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 carries significant expectations, and if there is one element that could be removed to ease some of that burden, I would suggest distancing it from all ties to FF7: Advent Children. This film represents FF7’s cinematic extension, boasting a loyal following. Personally, I do not harbor any grievances against it; however, while its more absurd moments of fan service can be humorous, they are steeped in the heartfelt earnestness typical of the early 2000s works by director Tetsuya Nomura and writer Kazushige Nojima.
Nonetheless, I am indifferent to Advent Children’s place within the franchise canon. My views on this matter diverge from those of the creators involved in the various compilations of FF7. There appears to be no imminent necessity for FF7 Remake Part 3 to heavily draw from Advent Children, but it’s apparent that some compatibility will exist. This may manifest as a narrative alignment with the original game, but I would be somewhat disheartened if it involves any greater entanglement.
Will FF7 Remake Part 3 Connect With Advent Children?
Story Development Begins to Converge
The phrase “link up” currently serves as the primary connection between FF7 Remake Part 3 and Advent Children, a term echoed by Tetsuya Nomura and producer Yoshinori Kitase. Although Nomura did not provide extensive elaboration in his statement, Kitase conveyed a softer interpretation in conversation with The Guardian.
“We are finally going to link up with Advent Children; that is going to be part of canon. The overall storyline will not diverge in a way that contradicts Advent Children in the end. Most fans likely do not desire such a drastic change. To prevent the narrative from becoming stale, we introduce new elements that create uncertainty. Balancing this is crucial; we’re not transforming Final Fantasy 7 into something entirely different. The overall equilibrium wouldn’t permit that anyway.”— Yoshinori Kitase
While I agree with Kitase’s explanation, I see no compelling reason for the end of the Remake to conflict directly with Advent Children’s events. Most fans seem to prefer a subtle continuation rather than a radical reimagining. However, I remain cautious about claims suggesting these stories will interconnect, as I believe this focus should be the least of Part 3’s priorities.
Advent Children Lacks Narrative Depth
A Story with Visual Flair but Weak Narrative
While I may not share the same nostalgia for Advent Children as those who experienced it in 2005, I approached it without cynicism. My own journey through FF7 began earlier in 2024, where I played the original game in January and FF7 Remake in February to gear up for Rebirth‘s launch. Thankfully, Advent Children’s theatrical re-release fell just before Rebirth, offering me a chance to revisit its conclusion alongside friends.
This re-release included an extended cut, running 26 minutes longer, which aimed to address some of its narrative disconnects. Despite not being a negative experience, Advent Children contains moments that are memorable. The Turks, for instance, inject an element of fun, and the exaggerated depiction of party members supporting Cloud is both charming and ludicrous.
However, as a cohesive experience, Advent Children failed to resonate fully with me. Having already played FF7 Remake, seeing the iconic characters rendered in HD did not evoke the same excitement it might have for its original audience. While visually striking, many contemporary Hong Kong action films achieve a more substantial emotional impact with their stylistic choices.
Despite my reservations, I acknowledge that Advent Children’s sensory experience compensates for some of its narrative shortcomings. The plot often feels akin to Kingsglaive: FF15, largely resembling an extended video game cutscene. Many attempts to balance serious themes with lighter moments fall flat due to contrived dialogue and simplified character portrayals, resulting in a narrative that feels trivial compared to a game with profound themes.
FF7 Remake Part 3 Must Prioritize the Core Story
The Relevance of Advent Children Should be Minimal
The conversation surrounding the games and film’s connection shifts the focus to the narrative, where I prefer to steer clear of any pronounced associations. My indifference to whether it eventually leads into Advent Children underscores my belief that any narrative content dedicated to that purpose would be better spent elsewhere.
The notion of a consistent canon within the Compilation of FF7 is starting to feel burdensome. I fully support acknowledging the original game as the definitive canon, but I contend that works like Advent Children or Dirge of Cerberus can exist without being viewed as absolute truths within the universe. The FF7 Remake has blended familiar elements while providing meta-commentary on canon, which, while engaging, sometimes detracts from its most emotional moments by placing them beneath unnecessary layers.
I could be overly cautious, as the relationship between FF7 Remake Part 3 and Advent Children might be minor enough to avoid blatant conflict. As Kitase suggested, it is all about finding the right balance. However, if the poignant conclusion of FF7 incorporates a post-credits scene tied to Advent Children’s *Geostigma*, I would likely feel disappointed. While Advent Children has its merits as an entertaining film, it should not dictate the course of a monumental saga in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3.
Sources: The Guardian, GamesRadar