Been dying to comment on this, so I'm really sorry that I'm late to the party. *sheepish*
Reading over this, I found that overall the feel of the post was far more instructive, rather than collaborative. But then on second thought, I realized that it was exactly appropriate to the venue that you were writing it: Young/new fanfic writers are looking for a guide. They've probably gotten plenty of encouragement from friends, but not always a good critical guideline. Nicely done.
One point that I interpret differently from you: "There really isn't any reason for Denzel to exist. No no, I know the latest version did a lot to improve the movie, but there's nothing that you need Denzel for that couldn't be accomplished by a canon character, say...Marlene."
Everything you said in the first half of your post is spot-on to support the existence of Denzel. He accentuates the personal growth of Cloud in that Strife allows himself to trust - and be trusted - by another person in his life. Not Tifa, who he's known all of his life, or Marlene who has the "safety net" of her father. But someone who is really, truly dependent on Cloud for protection and guidance. Cloud's habit of running solo may seem to be a "cool" trait, but it's also a cover for him being too scared to let anyone else close to him.
Also, Denzel states that he wants to be as strong as Cloud. Just as Zack was Angeal's successor, and Cloud was the successor of Zack, a case could be built that ultimately Denzel is introduced to be Cloud's protege.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-05-23 02:06 am (UTC)Reading over this, I found that overall the feel of the post was far more instructive, rather than collaborative. But then on second thought, I realized that it was exactly appropriate to the venue that you were writing it: Young/new fanfic writers are looking for a guide. They've probably gotten plenty of encouragement from friends, but not always a good critical guideline. Nicely done.
One point that I interpret differently from you: "There really isn't any reason for Denzel to exist. No no, I know the latest version did a lot to improve the movie, but there's nothing that you need Denzel for that couldn't be accomplished by a canon character, say...Marlene."
Everything you said in the first half of your post is spot-on to support the existence of Denzel. He accentuates the personal growth of Cloud in that Strife allows himself to trust - and be trusted - by another person in his life. Not Tifa, who he's known all of his life, or Marlene who has the "safety net" of her father. But someone who is really, truly dependent on Cloud for protection and guidance. Cloud's habit of running solo may seem to be a "cool" trait, but it's also a cover for him being too scared to let anyone else close to him.
Also, Denzel states that he wants to be as strong as Cloud. Just as Zack was Angeal's successor, and Cloud was the successor of Zack, a case could be built that ultimately Denzel is introduced to be Cloud's protege.