Which 'older' CGI/ Visual FX still hold up really well today?

[Deathbymonkeys]

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

Recently rewatched The Matrix and Starship Troopers and they really hold up quite splendidly. With both, you can simply see the time and energy that went into the effects from the ground up, on the screen. But more than anything with films like these, it's the concept that works so well. They are integrated into the film seamlessly. Independence Day too, still looks awesome! And the Fifth Element too!

I'd also like to give a shout out to The Phantom Menace. Without that film, so many sci-fi/fantasy films would still be looking far less convincing in scale and texture. Just the scope of the film is awe-inspiring, especially for 1999. Nothing like it had ever been seen. The level of detail and volume of different locations and types of things that needed to be invented specifically for that film was incredible.

Other than some sketchy shots in the Gungan battle Phantom Menace is really astounding. The effects look absolutely amazing in that movie. Such a good blending.

[wonderer99]

The trouble with the prequels is that everything looks so polished, smooth and shiny. Even big battles in mud just looked clean. The main thing George Lucas did wrong was try to do way too much and the tech just wasn't there. It felt like EVERYTHING was CG in those films even when it was a set.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by wonderer99

The trouble with the prequels is that everything looks so polished, smooth and shiny. Even big battles in mud just looked clean. The main thing George Lucas did wrong was try to do way too much and the tech just wasn't there. It felt like EVERYTHING was CG in those films even when it was a set.

It's supposed to be more polished because the galaxy as a whole is more prosperous and the Republic is still in control. Just like a lot of shots in Episodes 4-6 don't hold up, the same is true, because both sets of films were pioneering new techniques in film technology that later films would perfect, but that doesn't detract from how incredible the films look. It's Star Wars, afterall. Realism is not something I'm looking for.

[Socko]

Originally Posted by Chaotic

The giant explosion in Independence Day looks so bad today.

Which one? I believe for the building explosions they used miniatures filmed from above so it looked like the explosions came towards you.

Originally Posted by mastadge

Starship Troopers. Okay, the brainbug is a bit spotty but the space effects and especially the bug effects still look better than similar effects in many more recent movies.

The brainbug was practical, except for the rest of its body.
So a bland of practical effects and CGI. It looks darn good for 1997

[ThorsScrewdriver]

Lightsabers

End Thread....

[filmbuffTX]

I love the visual effects in Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. They built “giant” sets and props to make the actors appear small. The front yard is basically transformed into a fantasy-esque jungle with “giant” insects, legos, and an Oatmeal Creme Pie. It’s not perfect, but I think it still holds up today.

It’ll be interesting to see what types of techniques they use for the upcoming sequel/reboot. I’m glad Joe Johnston is returning to direct. Should be fun.

If Jurassic Park were released today the visual effects would be beyond reproach. They are that good and we’re ahead of its time. I like the mix of CG, animatronics, and puppetry. When I saw it in the theater as a kid it definitely felt like I was witnessing something on screen that had never been done before.

[Ricky G]

Originally Posted by Downhere

The opening scene from X2:X-Men United is a good one. It's also one of the best openers for a movie and the FX hold up really well I think.

That's a good call!

[BladeRunner2007]

Pearl Harbor

[levcore]

Yeah Pearl Harbor looks incredible still.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by levcore

Yeah Pearl Harbor looks incredible still.

Is that really surprising though? It came out in 2001 and had a $140 million dollar production budget. With Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer behind the camera. It’s one of the better productions of the 2000s. An epic film.

[levcore]

I didn't say it was surprising, i was agreeing with the poster above me.

The FX in Pearl Harbor hold up better than some movies from the last few years with bigger budgets. Bay really knows how to combine practical with digital. Even as technology has moved on, he still shoots as much practical as he can.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

I love the visual effects in Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. They built “giant” sets and props to make the actors appear small. The front yard is basically transformed into a fantasy-esque jungle with “giant” insects, legos, and an Oatmeal Creme Pie. It’s not perfect, but I think it still holds up today.

It’ll be interesting to see what types of techniques they use for the upcoming sequel/reboot. I’m glad Joe Johnston is returning to direct. Should be fun.

If Jurassic Park were released today the visual effects would be beyond reproach. They are that good and we’re ahead of its time. I like the mix of CG, animatronics, and puppetry. When I saw it in the theater as a kid it definitely felt like I was witnessing something on screen that had never been done before.

You are entitled to your opinions, of course, but that's ridiculous. VFX have come a LONG way since.

[TheWildWhelk]

Arnold's Total Recall. An absolute smorgasbord of model-work that genuinely deserved it's special achievement award. The sequence with Arnold on the train is stunning.

[imsounoriginal]

The discussion begins and ends with Davey Jones.

[78deluxe]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

You are entitled to your opinions, of course, but that's ridiculous. VFX have come a LONG way since.

He is right about Jurassic Park.

More technically advanced doens't always mean better. VFX rendering isn't the only part of the equation. Original Jurassic Park in 4K (and 3D) still has the impact and hold up perfectly well.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

You are entitled to your opinions, of course, but that's ridiculous. VFX have come a LONG way since.

Of course I agree that Vfx have improved in the last 25 years, but the point of this thread is to discuss movies with Vfx that were really well done in their time and still hold up today.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by 78deluxe

He is right about Jurassic Park.

More technically advanced doens't always mean better. VFX rendering isn't the only part of the equation. Original Jurassic Park in 4K (and 3D) still has the impact and hold up perfectly well.

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

Of course I agree that Vfx have improved in the last 25 years, but the point of this thread is to discuss movies with Vfx that were really well done in their time and still hold up today.

That's not what he/you said though. I bolded the line "would be beyond reproach" if released today part.

[Prog5000]

Originally Posted by NoFro

Despite the criticism the film gets for its use of CGI, I think there is a lot of stunning work in The Phantom Menace.

In fact, all the prequels have work that's way ahead compared to the other blockbuster films of their time. It's crazy to think that Attack of the Clones and Spider-Man came out the same year.

Phantom menace still looks great. Still many models in use. Clones on the other hand looked like a ps2 game on release, especially the sets, and time hasn’t changed that.

[levcore]

Yeah the tech wasn't quite there in 2002.

[DR Herbert West]

Starship Troopers still holds up.